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" Unfortunately, in end-of-life care, we do not have a vocal constituency: The dead are no longer here to speak, the dying often cannot speak, and the bereaved are often too overcome by their loss to speak."
(Dr. Harvey Chochinov; testimony before the Senate of Canada Subcommittee, February 28th, 2000)
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SENATE REPORT
QUALITY END-OF-LIFE CARE: THE RIGHT OF EVERY CANADIAN
The federal government has an opportunity to take the leadership role to ensure high quality end- of- life care is available for all Canadians. On June 6th, 2000 a Final Report on Quality End-Of-Life Care: The Right of Every Canadian was tabled by the Senate Social Affairs Subcommittee to update the 1995 Report "Of Life and Death". The Honourable Sharon Carstairs, Chair, The Honourable Gerald A Beaudoin, Deputy Chair and the other Subcommittee members and staff should be commended for their integrity and their dedication to ensure that quality end-of-life care is an entitlement for all Canadians.
The Subcommittees conclusions stated that quality end-of-life care must become an entrenched core value of Canadas health care system; that each person is entitled to die in relative comfort, as free as possible from physical, emotional, psychosocial, and spiritual distress, and that each Canadian is entitled to access skilled, compassionate, and respectful care at the end of life. The key mechanism for improving the care of the dying must include:
- service delivery by interdisciplinary teams
- access to services in the most appropriate location;
- availability of services when needed, whether for a few hours or around-the-clock;
- availability of services before death is imminent;
- services for a broad-based clientele, both with respect to cultural background and type of illness;
- awareness and skill in pain and symptom management and
- support for caregivers and family members.
The full report is available at: http://www.parl.gc/36/2/parlbus/commbus/senate/com-e/upda-e.htm
The following excerpts are reprinted with permission from the Canadian Palliative Care Association Newsletter "AVISO".
Release of Report Updating of Life and Death.
Ottawa, June 6, 2000 - A national strategy on end-of-life care was the foremost recommendation of the report entitled Quality End-of-Life Care: The Right of Every Canadian tabled today by the Senate Social Affairs Sub-committee to update "Of Life and Death."
The Subcommittee report also recommends the federal government implement income security and job protection for family members who care for the dying. The Subcommittee urges that the federal government, in collaboration with the provinces, establish and fund home care and pharmacare programs for the dying.
The Subcommittee was created in November 1999 to update the progress made on the unanimous recommendations pertaining to palliative care, pain control and sedation, withholding and withdrawal of life sustaining treatment, advance directives and research in the 1995 Senate Report entitled "Of Life and Death." Since its tabling on June 6, 1995, over 10,000 copies of the original report have been distributed, and requests are still being made.
"In the five years since the tabling of "Of Life and Death," we have made little progress in the area of quality end-of-life care. Canadians are still dying in needless pain and without adequate palliative care. As Canadians, we will afford what we value," said Subcommittee Chair, Senator Sharon Carstairs.
The Subcommittee heard 50 witnesses, including national health organizations, medical doctors, ethicists, lawyers, government departments and the Minister of Health.
Senate of Canada News Release, June 6, 2000
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What IS Palliative Care?
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Palliative Care is the active, compassionate care of the terminally ill. It is provided with the purpose of assisting patients to live full, active, independent lives for as long as possible. Patients, along with family and other caregivers, are encouraged to understand the options available to them, and are an important component in the development of the care plan.
Palliative care is delivered by an interdisciplinary team that provides sensitive and skilled care to meet the physical, psychosocial and spiritual needs of both the client and family.
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