Islanders with progressive life threatening illnesses and their caregivers are participating in a pilot project to improve palliative care services in the province.
Health and Social Services Minister Mildred Dover advised that the new Rural Palliative Home Care Project is now well underway in the East Prince and Southern Kings Health regions.
Client and caregiver satisfaction surveys are now being conducted. Clients are being asked to evaluate several areas, such as pain relief and inclusion in treatment decisions. Caregivers are being asked about their needs, for example how well they are informed of the patient's condition, information available on what to do for the patient at home, and their needs for respite care, emotional and spiritual support.
"Palliative care brings family members, friends, volunteers, physicians, nurses and other health care professionals together as a caregiving team so patients can live their remaining days in dignity and comfort, surrounded by people who love them," said Minister Dover, "The focus of palliative care is to make the last stages of life comfortable and peaceful for patients and their caregivers, whether the appropriate setting is the home, hospital or palliative care unit."
Educational resources are now being developed, and programs will begin early in the new year for home care, long term care and hospital staff, as well as physicians, pharmacists, volunteers and clergy in delivering integrated palliative home care.
Funded by the Health Transition Fund, the project is being conducted in the East Prince Health and Southern Kings Health regions in Prince Edward Island and the Northern Region in Nova Scotia. The goal is to improve palliative care in rural communities by understanding the needs of patients and caregivers, providing easier access to palliative care in the home, and increasing awareness and knowledge of palliative care among patients, their caregivers and health care providers.
The 18-month project is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2000.
Project coordinator Corinne Rowswell advised that the expected outcomes of the project are improved pain and symptom management, improved emotional support, and that patients feel their care needs are being well met at home in rural communities.
Minister Dover advised that a new provincial Palliative Care Advisory Committee has also been established to help develop provincial direction for improved palliative care services across the province. The Committee includes members of the five health regions, the Island Hospice Association, Canadian Cancer Society PEI Division, and the provincial palliative care unit.
"Looking ahead to the recommendations of this project and other initiatives, the committee will work with us to identify priorities for an integrated community-based model which will provide Islanders with equitable access to palliative care services across the province," said the minister.