The Province has provided $40,000 for improved access to hospice palliative care in Cranbrook and Kimberley.

The BC Centre for Palliative Care distributed $40,000 to the Cranbrook Kimberley Hospice Society to increase access to day hospice at F.W. Green Memorial Home in Cranbrook.

“Palliative services are an important part of our health-care system,” said Kootenay East MLA Bill Bennett. “This $40,000 plus $18,000 from Community Gaming Grants will increase access to day-hospice services in Cranbrook meaning additional supports for both patients and their loved ones at a very difficult time.”

Day hospice is a place for people with life-limiting illness to access hospice services and supports, such as help managing symptoms, talking about concerns and planning for future care. People also have the opportunity to share experiences with those in similar situations.

The Ministry of Health and health authorities collaborated with the BC Centre for Palliative Care to determine how the funds would be allocated by studying B.C.’s palliative population data to assess characteristics such as age, underlying cause of death and geography. Current bed-to-population ratios and home-based palliative services were also looked at, as well as projections of future demand.

“Those nearing end of life and their loved ones deserve timely, well-co-ordinated, compassionate care as close to home as possible,” said Interior Health board chair John O’Fee. “Our strategy includes specialized education for staff; dedicated resources in the form of a medical director and newly created nurse specialist roles; and the introduction of designated palliative beds, including those announced here.”

The BC Centre for Palliative Care was established in 2013 by the Institute for Health System Transformation and Sustainability to support palliative and end-of-life care practices based on evidence, education and innovation to improve and support care for those living with and dying from serious illness and their families.

Learn more:

For a photo, visit: https://flic.kr/p/QpvMg5

To learn more about supports offered by the Province for end-of-life care, visit: www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/accessing-health-care/home-community-care/care-options-and-cost/end-of-life-care

To find out more about hospice palliative care and end-of-life care in Interior Health, visit: https://www.interiorhealth.ca/YourCare/PalliativeCare/Pages/default.aspx

More information on the BC Centre for Palliative Care can be found at: www.bc-cpc.ca