EDMONTON, July 21, 2016 /CNW/ - Lack of consistent, reliable access to high-quality palliative care services is a serious concern for many Canadians.
Palliative Care Matters is a national initiative designed to talk with Canadians about their views and lived experiences, review the most current evidence, and develop consensus on the steps that need to be taken now to ensure Canadians in all parts of the country can access high-quality palliative care services as part of Canada's universal healthcare model.
Covenant Health has joined with many of Canada's leading national health organizations and experts in palliative care and health policy to lead this initiative. The initiative is being co-chaired by Karen Macmillan, Senior Operating Officer of Covenant Health with lead in palliative care and Fred Horne, former Alberta health minister and health policy advisor.
Palliative Care Matters features Canada's first consensus development conference on palliative care. Research done by the national polling firm Ipsos will inform the work of the initiative and The Conference Board of Canada will prepare a report after the conference outlining potential policy options and considerations for implementation.
Palliative Care Matters has three phases:
Palliative care provides comfort and support to patients and families during a life limiting illness, the end stages of life, and when dealing with grief and loss.
Interested Canadians are invited to sign up for more information at www.palliativecarematters.ca
Quotes
"Ensuring that everyone has compassionate care at every stage of their life journey is our mission at Covenant Health. This is critically important as a person's life draws to a close. That's why Covenant Health is working with national partners to listen to what Canadians have to say, develop consensus on a palliative care approach for Canada, and bring this important issue to the forefront of our discussions about Canada's health system in the future." Karen Macmillan, Senior Operating Officer, Covenant Health, and Co-Chair, Palliative Care Matters.
"With the recent passage of Bill C-14, Canadians are now assured of access to medical assistance in dying. We now need to turn our attention to how Canada's universal healthcare model can provide consistent access to high quality palliative care. Palliative Care Matters provides Canadians with an opportunity to express their views and, through the Consensus Development Conference, address key questions around how Canada should proceed." Fred Horne, former Alberta Minister of Health and Co-Chair, Palliative Care Matters.
"We can't escape the end of life. All Canadians, some day, will need to make decisions about the care we or someone we love receive in the last part of our journey. I'm honoured to be leading a panel of my fellow Canadians as we examine how we can live well with a life limiting illness or at the end of our life." Don Newman, C.M., Senior Counsel, Navigator.
About Covenant Health and the Palliative Institute:
Covenant Health is Canada's largest Catholic health care organization, providing compassionate, quality care to people of all faiths and traditions as a key partner in Alberta's integrated health system. As a major provider of palliative care in the province, Covenant Health established the Palliative Institute, which is committed to relieving suffering for patients and their families.
For more information on Steering Committee members and Palliative Care Matters, visit: www.palliativecarematters.ca
Palliative Care Matters – Steering Committee Members
Co‐chair: Karen Macmillan, Senior Operating Officer, Covenant Health
Co‐chair: Fred Horne, former Alberta Minister of Health (2011‐2014)
Sharon Baxter, Executive Director, Canadian Hospice and Palliative Care Association
Dr. Jeff Blackmer, Vice‐President, Medical Professionalism, Canadian Medical Association ‐ Office of Ethics
Dr. Heather Bryant, Vice‐President, Cancer Control, Canadian Partnership Against Cancer
Dr. J. David Henderson, President‐Elect, Canadian Society of Palliative Care Physicians
Anya Humphrey, Family/Patient Advocate
Shelly Jamieson, CEO, Canadian Partnership Against Cancer
Maria Judd, Senior Director, Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement
Tammy Moore, CEO, ALS Society of Canada
John Ruetz, President & CEO, Catholic Health Sponsors of Ontario
Stephen Samis, Vice‐President of Programs, Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement
Marcel Saulnier, A/Associate ADM, Strategic Policy Branch, Health Canada
Shirlee Sharkey, President & CEO, Saint Elizabeth Health Care
Anne Sutherland Boal, CEO, Canadian Nurses Association
Dr. Kathryn Todd, Vice President, Research, Innovation & Analytics, Alberta Health Services
Russell Williams, Chair, Canadian Frailty Network
Jewel Buksa, Project Manager, Palliative Care Matters
SOURCE Covenant Health
Image with caption: "Covenant Health (CNW Group/Covenant Health)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160720_C6332_PHOTO_EN_739394.jpg
To arrange interviews with Fred Horne and Karen Macmillan, contact: Laura McNabb, Community Advocacy and Outreach Coordinator, Covenant Health Palliative Institute, (780) 735-9638; To contact The Conference Board of Canada, call: Juline Ranger, Director of Communications, (613) 526-3090 ext. 431; To contact Don Newman, call: Darryl Konynenbelt, Media Lead, (647) 203-4340
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