Improving Equity in Access to Palliative Care
Improving Equity in Access to Palliative Care is a new partnership focused on improving access to palliative approaches to care with and for people experiencing homelessness or vulnerable housing.
Program overview :
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.
Mainstream models of palliative care often fail to consider the unique challenges and barriers faced by people experiencing homelessness or vulnerable housing. 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 of their choice
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 first cohort of the program will:
- receive funding of up to $100,000 over four years
- 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
Current and future cohorts
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.
Healthcare Excellence Canada and the Partnership are planning to support additional communities to join a second cohort, expected to begin in 2024. The first cohort will help inform the development of resources to support the second phase of programming.
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.
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.
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.
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 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 NorWest Community Health Centres connecting with Improving Equity in Access to Palliative Care coaches Holly Prince, Kelli Stajduhar and Robyn Kyle.
Related Resources
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