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Brockville General Hospital |
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MEDIA RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 27, 2010 BGH Palliative Care Raising Awareness During National Hospice Palliative Care Week May 2nd to 8th Hospice palliative care—What does it mean to you? What does it mean to your family? We don’t usually ask these questions until we need to. Fortunately, the Brockville & District Hospice Palliative Care Service will have the answers. . The National Hospice Palliative Care Week, May 2nd to 8th, is held to highlight and encourage Canadians to talk about what hospice palliative care means to them and their loved ones. This year, the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association (CHPCA) and the National Hospice Palliative Care Committee 2010 have chosen to build upon the World Hospice Palliative Care Day’s campaign: Discovering your voice. “It’s certainly a good opportunity to talk about palliative care and what it’s really all about,” says Linda Osmond, Coordinator of the hospice and palliative care program based at the Brockville General Hospital. “Most people aren’t aware of the comprehensive service we offer people and families dealing with terminal illness. The Hospice Palliative Care Service offers support at any point from diagnosis to bereavement—and beyond, for family members coping with loss. The focus is determined by the individual and family, from symptom management to advocacy to emotional support and counseling. A caseload can run from hours to years. The team works with patients at home, at long-term care facilities, and at both Charles and Garden Streets sites of the Brockville General Hospital. On average, they support 70 individuals in the community, in addition to inpatient care in the six-bed unit at Garden Street Site for direct symptom management or final days care. Patients requiring care in Charles Street Site can also be assisted by the PC Service. Trained volunteers play an important role supporting patients at home or in hospital. The program receives no government funding and operates entirely through local fundraising. Launched in 1979 at the former St. Vincent de Paul’s Hospital, the service has grown through the years from a single nurse to six consult nurses and over 100 trained volunteers. Two major fundraisers held annually are the Friends of Palliative Care Telethon and the Friends of Palliative Care Golf Tournament. “The service is community-centered so funds raised stay right here,” says Osmond. “People appreciate that. We use creative ways to encourage donations, and share the broader concept of palliative care.” Donations to support the Brockville & District Hospice Palliative Care Service can be made through the Brockville and District Hospital Foundation via monthly giving, bequests, gifts in kind, or hosting/supporting an event. Contact the Foundation at 613-345-4478 or foundation@bgh-on.ca. For hospice support, the Palliative Care Nursing office can be contacted at 613-345-5649 Ext 1 – 4412. For more information, contact:
Healthy people – Outstanding Care
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