|
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The ability to relieve pain and suffering as a result of terminal illness has become a major concern, particularly with the rapidly growing elderly population and the increased incidence of cancer and other life threatening illnesses.
Access to specialist teams skilled in pain and symptom relief has been shown throughout the United Kingdom and more recently in Canada to improve pain and symptom distress, enhance quality of life, and has resulted in savings to the health care system through a reduction in hospital readmission rates. In addition, access to specialist palliative care pain and symptom relief has been recommended as a solution to the call for euthanasia to Senate Committees throughout Canada and the United States.
Palliative Care Services for York Region, in collaboration with key stakeholders established in 1994 a Regional Pain and Symptom Management Consultation Program , as a community resource to provide expertise in the management of pain and symptoms associated with terminal illness. The program does not duplicate, but complements and works in harmony with the existing palliative care services in the region.
A critical element missing in this program is a skilled Nurse Clinician on staff to assess the pain and symptom management needs of the patient/family; to provide consultations; and mobilize the specialized PSM volunteer teams. We are pleased to advise that The Trillium Foundation has approved our request for financial support to contract a Nurse Clinician Consultant to be a member of our Regional Pain and Symptom Management Consultation Program.
We believe that this initiative will enable us to:
- provide the residents in the community and long term care facilities; and health care professionals in York Region with the services of a Nurse Clinician with expertise in the specialized field of palliative care;
- define the palliative care pain and symptom management needs of individuals living with a life threatening illness in the communities across York Region;
- evaluate the outcome indicators of our pain and symptom management program to ensure the relief of pain and suffering for the terminally ill in York Region;
Ultimately, our goal is to work with key stakeholders in York Region to relieve the pain and suffering and improve the quality of end-of-life care for individuals living with a terminal illness and their families.
Doris Howell Patricia Van Den Elzen
President Executive Director
|
