Need for palliative care at all levels in health sector 8/13/2014 I attended the Networking Conference just completed and listened carefully to comments and calls for an action plan on recommendations from these gatherings. I heard the Hon Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade giving clear indication that she heard the call and also suggesting that action on specific areas may have already begun. My focus is on the session promoting palliative care and a hospice for the island. While the session was well done (American style), there was no time for questions or discussion and as we would say in Quebec ,”c’est domage” – it’s a pity. While supporting our government in the commitment to a facility that will provide appropriate care those in the end-of-life stage, let me also support the call for full integration of palliative care into the health sector at all levels and focus the debate beyond a hospice. End of life happens in private homes, long-term care facilities and hospitals across the island every day. The principles of the palliative care approach must be integrated wherever care is being given. Here I am suggesting that holistic care where the family and their needs are taken into consideration, choice, respect, dignity, privacy, and compassion, are all required in every environment that cares for this clientele. A culture of caring should transcend the operations and be promoted by those in governance. Realistically, we cannot move all of our terminal patients, residents or whatever title we want to give to those in care, to a hospice, but appropriate care should not be denied. Let us assure that those providing care have the required knowledge, tools and attitude for the service. As the debate continues, I respectfully suggest that those at the policy level look further north to Canada and the various approaches that are being taken to deal with this very issue for examples. My home province (Quebec), where an integrated approach to palliative care and hospices exist, has taken a step that few other jurisdictions dare take and passed Dying with Dignity legislation that gives the person choice in when they may die. As one who teaches management in long-term care and has managed or inspected these facilities for the Canadian Council of Health Serviced Accreditation (Accreditation Canada) for more than two decades, I would feel remiss if I did offer my comments while on the island. Gus A. Hollingsworth SRN, RMN, FHA, MHSA President, Barbados House (Montreal) and Educational Consultant with Health Canada Email us your comments. | Top