Palliative Care in the News: September & October 2023

September 

Mariposa House Hospice becomes the first hospice in Ontario to be powered by solar energy – saving 70% on its annual energy costs. 

Despite being past the worst of the pandemic, long-term care homes in Hamilton are still plagued with issues like inadequate staffing, low pay and sub-optimal working conditions. 

Hospice Georgian Triangle’s innovative, multi-pronged approach to grief supports ensures no one in the community navigates their grief journey alone.  

The Mattawa Hospital Hospice has opened the doors on a new hospice facility – a full one-bedroom apartment complete with a private entrance. 

The Honourable Mark Holland, Minister of Health, announced more than $2.1 million in funding over three years to the Canadian Home Care Association (CHCA) to improve the quality of home-based palliative care through the eiCOMPASS project. 

Hunter Prize candidates highlight how the cracks in Canada’s healthcare system have become increasingly apparent – and that one of the solutions is prioritizing hospice palliative care.

October

A Health Canada report says that medically assisted deaths jumped by 31% in Canada – part of a continuing trend since MAID was legalized in 2016.

A new, 3-storey, 300 bed long-term care facility is being built in Nanaimo, British Columbia – 20 of which will be hospice beds.

Kamloops, BC teenager Cassie McNutt has already raised thousands of dollars for Kamloops Hospice and is hoping to raise more by running a province-wide 50/50 raffle with a prize worth $50,000.

Over 100 Prince Albert, Saskatchewan art students contributed to painting donated to the Rose Garden Hospice.

Dr. Hsien Seow, Canada Research Chair in Palliative Care and Health System Innovation, outlines why he believes the system needs in Canada needs an overhaul.

A recent report by the Canadian Cancer Society, with data contributions from the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association, has found that governments across Canada are falling short of delivering quality palliative care for people with progressive illnesses.