Dr. Christa Jeney, Medical Director of Palliative Care and Supportive Care Services at St. Joseph's Health Centre posing, with one of her patients.

Palliative care is the active total care of patients whose disease is not responsive to curative treatment. Control of pain, of other symptoms, and of psychological, social and spiritual problems, is paramount. The goal of care is to obtain the best quality of life for patients, their families and loved ones, addressing needs as they arise. The focus of care is on relief of distressing medical symptoms and the provision of psychological, social and spiritual well being. The approach to care is holistic, patient-centered, family-focused, and embraces the mission and values of St. Joseph's Health Centre and the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association.

According to the World Health Organization, palliative care affirms life and regards death as a normal process; neither hastens nor postpones death; provides relief from pain and other distressing symptoms; integrates the psychological and spiritual aspects of care; offers a support system to help patients live as actively as possible until death; and offers a support system to help the family cope during the patient's illness and in their own bereavement.

Services may begin when a life-threatening disease is diagnosed, and services are delivered through an interprofessional palliative care team consisting of doctors, a nurse practitioner, a coordinator, a chaplain, and a social worker. Other providers can be involved as required (dietitian, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, speech-language pathologist, pharmacist, clinical ethics, child life specialist, respiratory therapist, interpreter services).

Palliative care and support services are offered throughout the hospital (inpatient service) and in a patient's home (Home-based Palliative Care Service). An important element of the service is the promotion of continuity of care for patients as they move between hospital and home settings.

St. Joseph's Health Centre's Palliative and Supportive Care Team provides:

• Emotional and spiritual supports to help patients and families cope with the suffering and losses they are encountering as a life-threatening illness takes over their lives
• Active management of pain and related symptoms
• Comfort care to achieve the highest quality of life possible
• Continued reassessment and updating of the goals of the patient
• Ongoing and compassionate communications between patient/family and the Palliative Care Team
• Continuity of care and coordination of resources for patients as they move between hospital and home settings
• Access to medical supervision 24 hours per day 7 days per week
• Sensitivity to the diversity of cultural beliefs and traditions that influence assumptions about the meaning of health, illness and dying, including how bad news is communicated and how end-of-life decisions are made
• Advance Care Planning
• A resource for patients, families and friends in need of information/education on a variety of palliative care issues and/or identification and referral to appropriate community support services and resources
• Advocacy work to ensure patients and families make informed choices and their end-of-life decisions are respected
• Bereavement supports and follow-up
• Development of new programs and services relevant to the needs of patients and families

For further information, please call 416-530-6729.

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Page last updated: April 30, 2010