What is hospice palliative care?
The term "hospice palliative care" was adopted nationally by the health profession in 2002 to replace the term "palliative care." Hospice palliative care aims to relieve suffering and improve the quality of life of people who are living with or dying from a life-threatening illness or are bereaved. ACB asserts that hospice palliative care should be available to all regardless of their age, diagnosis and prognosis.
This new definition proposes a change in paradigm where hospice palliative care does not focus solely on end-of-life care. Within the context of cancer care, hospice palliative care may complement oncology treatments at the time of a diagnosis of cancer, or it may become the total focus of care when cure cannot be provided.
Hospice palliative care and cancer
Cancer is now the leading cause of death in Albertans and the
number of Albertans newly diagnosed with cancer is steadily rising.
In 2000, over 11,000 Albertans were diagnosed with cancer and
over 4,000 died from the disease. Unfortunately, projections show
that new cancer cases and mortality rates will continue to rise
over the next decades
Accessible hospice palliative care programs and services are needed in Alberta to help patients living with cancer, and their families, to cope with the physical, psychological, social, spiritual and practical issues they will encounter through both the illness and bereavement experiences.
The purpose of the Hospice Palliative Care Network is "to improve access and enhance integration of hospice palliative care in the province so that services that are needed are available timely to patients and families affected by cancer."
In 1998, through funding from the Alberta Cancer Foundation, ACB established the Palliative Care Network Initiative, renamed the Hospice Palliative Care Network in 2003. The Hospice Palliative Care Network works with regional health authorities and other key stakeholders to ensure that all Albertans have access to quality hospice palliative care no matter where they live in the province.
The Hospice Palliative Care Network develops working and collaborative partnership with all people and organizations who provide hospice palliative care to people living with cancer and their families and plans activities that:
- address the expectations and needs of patients, families and caregivers; and
- influence hospice palliative care programs planning, development, implementation, and evaluation.
