Team members of the Improving Equity in Access to Palliative Care Cohort 1, coaches and advisors at a program workshop.

Improving Equity in Access to Palliative Care

Improving Equity in Access to Palliative Care is a partnership focused on improving access to palliative approaches to care with and for people experiencing homelessness or vulnerable housing.

Program overview :

  • Improving Equity in Access to Palliative Care

Healthcare Excellence Canada and the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer (the Partnership) are supporting up to 20 communities over four years to improve care experiences, access to care and health outcomes.

Many current models of palliative care don’t consider the unique barriers faced by people experiencing homelessness or vulnerable housing in accessing care. This can make it harder for them to access this type of care when they need it most. Improving equity in access to palliative approaches to care can:

  • ensure care is delivered in a safe and timely way
  • reduce emergency department visits and hospital admissions
  • allow people to receive care with dignity in the environment they choose

About the Improving Equity in Access to Palliative Care program

Improving Equity in Access to Palliative Care brings together diverse perspectives and experiences, including people with lived and living experiences. The program aims to help communities make measurable improvement in access to palliative care with and for people experiencing homelessness or vulnerable housing. Communities participating in the program will:

  • receive funding of up to $100,000
  • participate in learning and networking opportunities with peers and experts
  • build capabilities to co-design, implement, measure and evaluate palliative care solutions and approaches
  • create and support meaningful partnerships with people with lived and living experience of homelessness or vulnerable housing, and First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities 
  • guide and inform the development of resources to support strategic partnerships and improve equity in access to palliative approaches to care

Featured content

From workshop to action: takeaways on equitable access to palliative care

In this blog, Improving Equity in Access to Palliative Care program coaches share takeaways from a health equity workshop, and the importance of improving access to palliative care with – and for – people experiencing homelessness.

Learn more

Featured content

From workshop to action: takeaways on equitable access to palliative care

In this blog, Improving Equity in Access to Palliative Care program coaches share takeaways from a health equity workshop, and the importance of improving access to palliative care with – and for – people experiencing homelessness.

Learn more

Current and future cohorts

Cohort 1

In fall 2022, 10 communities were welcomed into the first cohort of this collaborative. The first cohort will continue their participation until 2026. Learn more about the participating communities and their diverse projects.

Cohort 2

HEC and the Partnership are currently reviewing applications from communities interested in joining the second cohort of this program. Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application by the end of January 2024.

Improving Equity in Access to Palliative Care in action

Team members representing Vancouver Coastal Health / Providence Health Care and Institut de soins palliatifs et de fin de vie Michel-Sarrazin – Université Laval speaking with Ashley Mollison, one of the Improving Equity in Access to Palliative Care coaches at a program workshop.

Holly Prince, one of the Improving Equity in Access to Palliative Care coaches, and Dr. Cara Bablitz, a palliative care physician with the Palliative Care Outreach and Advocacy Team (PCOAT), presenting on core concepts of equity-oriented care at a program workshop.

Knowledge Keeper Larry Frost sharing reflections at an Improving Equity in Access to Palliative Care workshop.

Team members representing Eastern Health sharing information about their plans to improve measurable equity in access to palliative care at a program workshop.

Team members representing NorWest Community Health Centres connecting with Improving Equity in Access to Palliative Care coaches Holly Prince, Kelli Stajduhar and Robyn Kyle.

Team members representing la Maison du Père connecting with coach Anne-Renée Delli –Colli (second from left).

Elder Louise White and advisor Jason Stutz connecting at a program workshop.

Joanna Vatour, an Improving Equity in Access to Palliative Care coach, presenting on Wise Practices in Relational Engagement with First Nations, Inuit and Métis at a program workshop.

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