Ministers Highlight Importance of End-of-life Care
Nova Scotia Health Minister Jamie Muir met with Sharon Carstairs, federal Minister with Special Responsibility for Palliative Care, today, Nov. 23, to discuss how palliative and end-of-life care can be enhanced, both within Nova Scotia and across the country.
Palliative care is a special kind of health care for individuals and families who are living with a life-threatening illness that is usually at an advanced stage. Emphasizing the dignity of the person, it aims to relieve suffering and improve the quality of life. Palliative care can be appropriate for patients of all ages who are dealing with a life-threatening illness -- from a child with cancer to a senior nearing the end of her life.
"I applaud the work Minister Carstairs is doing to develop a national strategy for palliative and end-of-life care," said Mr. Muir. "Our government is an active participant in the development of integrated palliative care services for all Nova Scotians. We are also very keen to work with the government of Canada as partners in the development of this national strategy."
Ms. Carstairs praised the work of the Nova Scotia Hospice Palliative Care Association (NSHPCA). The association is leading a national certification initiative that will see palliative care nursing designated as a specialty through the Canadian Nurses' Association. As a result of this leadership, national nursing standards were developed.
Over the next two years, Nova Scotia will continue as co-leader in the development of competencies and specialty examination for palliative care nurses. This initiative will raise the awareness of palliative care as a specialty across the nation. It will also enhance the consistency of nursing services in palliative care.
Ms. Carstairs also praised the establishment of a Palliative Medicine Residency Training Program at Dalhousie University.
"I am very impressed by the work that is taking place at all levels in Nova Scotia," she said. "In particular, I have been impressed by the work to advance professional education in palliative care. Improving the education medical professionals receive in palliative care is vital, and I hope the Dalhousie program continues to expand."
Mr. Muir said that the work of Cancer Care Nova Scotia's palliative and supportive care coordinator, Judy Simpson, is a key factor in making core palliative care services available to patients in all regions of the province. Ms. Simpson has begun working with all nine health districts to help develop core palliative care services for cancer patients and their families, and to implement the priorities identified during the roundtable hosted by Cancer Care Nova Scotia in June.
Both Mr. Muir and Ms. Carstairs indicated that they were pleased with the results of the Rural Palliative Home Care Project, funded by Health Canada through the Health Transition Fund. The ministers said that they are heartened that the project has acted as a catalyst for ongoing creative work in palliative and end-of- life care.
They also recognized the excellence of palliative care programs and the contribution of the many professionals and volunteers who are providing end-of-life care throughout the province.