The Path Forward
for Hospice Care in British Columbia
About the Hospice Care Alliance for British Columbia (HCABC) | he creation of HCABC is the result of a report entitled: Hospice Care in British Columbia: The Path Forward. Over a period of one year, health care professionals from across BC collectively prepared this first-of-its-kind report in consultation with stakeholders and hospice care experts. A key recommendation detailed in the report is the formulation of HCABC with representatives from hospice organizations, government, health authorities, professional organizations, researchers, health care facilities, charities, and patient and family groups, to accelerate the improvement of hospice care in BC. MP, Ron McKinnon, Chair of the Standing Committee on Health, Canada (PDF) |
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Hospice Care in British Columbia: The Path Forward
HCABC’s Vision for Hospice Care A future where hospice organizations are meaningful and recognized partners in the provision of accessible, adaptable, accountable, and sustainable hospice care that improves the quality of living and dying for individuals with serious illnesses across British Columbia. |
Why Now? | By 2036, one-quarter of the province’s residents will be over the age of 65 and will put increasing demands on hospice care. Many federal reports indicate these older adults want to age at home and in their communities and want a say in the care they receive as they face serious illnesses. The increased demands and unprecedented challenges is expected to overburden the health care system; the current healthcare and social systems in British Columbia are not equipped to meet the enhanced psychosocial and practical needs of an aging population that wants to remain at home and in their communities. This requires immediate action to improve the quality of life of British Columbians. |
About HCABC |
Issues facing British Columbians The population of British Columbia is experiencing an important demographic shift; by 2036, one-quarter of the province’s residents will be aged 65 and over. Research indicates that older adults want to age and experience end-of-life at home and in their communities. However, the province’s healthcare and social systems are not currently equipped to adequately provide the necessary practical and psychosocial supports for ensuring that individuals living with serious illnesses can age and die in the place of their choosing. Individuals Facing Serious Illness of End-of-life and Hospice Care in BC
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The Path forward for Hospice Care in BCTo achieve a future where hospice organizations are meaningful and recognized partners in the provision of accessible, adaptable, accountable, and sustainable HPC that improves the quality of living and dying for all individuals with serious illnesses across BC, health care professionals have written a report: Hospice Care in British Columbia: The Path Forward. This first-of-its-kind report was developed consultation with stakeholders and hospice care experts including 71 hospice societies and 38 key stakeholders. A key recommendation of the report is the development of the Hospice Care Alliance British Columbia (HCABC). HCABC’s role will be to empower hospice organizations to assume a more integral role in addressing the increasing demand for person-centered HPC and lead the implementation of the 10-step path forward integral to the report. These steps include: |
1. Design a strong, integrated structure for the Alliance over the next few years.
2. Secure reliable funding for hospice organizations. 3. Advocate for a provincial policy and strategy for hospice palliative care in BC. 4. Establish a common definition of hospice palliative care in BC. 5. Establish standards and an accreditation program for hospice palliative care to ensure quality and consistency in hospice services across the province. | 6. Raise public awareness of the importance of person-centered care and advance care planning education provided by hospice organizations in BC 7. Establish core competencies and a provincial education program for hospice staff and volunteers. 8. Develop an effective volunteer engagement strategy. 9. Leverage technology to facilitate networking, training, and knowledge exchange. 10. Explore and facilitate opportunities for meaningful partnerships between hospice organizations with underserved communities in the province |
Your Voice Counts | The formation of HCABC is the result of input from individuals who care about those facing serious illnesses across the province. Its very success relies on increased support from individuals, families, loved ones, health care experts, health authorities, governments, and key stakeholders. |
Frequently Asked Questions |
Questions About the Contents of the Report |
What is the vision for hospice care in BC? A future where hospice organizations are meaningful and recognized partners in the provision of accessible, adaptable, accountable, and sustainable hospice care that improves the quality of living and dying for individuals with serious illnesses across British Columbia. What is the definition of hospice care within the Report? For the purposes of the Report, hospice care refers to services provided by staff and volunteers of community-based, not-for-profit organizations with mandates for supporting individuals with life-limiting illnesses and their caregivers and bereaved. What strengths were identified in hospice care today in BC? Hospice organizations are uniquely positioned to play a leading role in a revitalized hospice care sector in BC. The 71 not-for-profit community hospice organizations are geographically spread out across rural, remote, and urban areas of British Columbia and already operate with a deeply ingrained person-centered philosophy. In addition, the highly qualified professionals on staff operate with the support of a vast network of well- trained volunteers. These volunteers include retired health-care professionals, educators, and family members of persons who receive or have received hospice care. | What gaps were identified in hospice care today in BC? Although hospice organizations in BC are currently facing a number of challenges that prevent them from taking on a more meaningful partnership role in the hospice care sector. First, there is little coordination across organizations, regions, and the formal health care system, resulting in a lack of standards for services and means to enable the exchange of knowledge and resources. Additionally, relationships with the government and regional health authorities are inconsistent and lack clear policy directives for formal collaboration and integration. Furthermore, funding sources are limited and unstable, leading hospice organizations to compete against one another rather than work together. What was the key recommendation of the report? The key recommendation detailed in the report is the formulation of HCABC with representatives from hospice organizations, government, health authorities, professional organizations, researchers, health care facilities, charities, and patient and family groups, to accelerate the improvement of hospice care in BC. |
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Question About the Development of the Report and Participants
Who are the healthcare professionals that drove the delivery of the report? Representatives of the British Columbia Centre for Palliative Care (BCCPC), British Columbia Hospice Palliative Care Association (BCHCPA), Sovereign Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Knights Hospitaller (SOSJ), Victoria Hospice, and Vancouver Island Federation of Hospices (VIFoH) joined together to form the Provincial Hospice Working Group (PHWG) early in 2019. Member of the PHWG led and managed this initiative as volunteers who are committed to improving hospice care and the quality of lives in BC.
How was the information for the report gathered? The information used to create the report was gathered using the following methodologies:
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HCABC will include representatives from hospice organizations, government, health authorities, professional organizations, researchers, health care facilities, charities, and patient and family groups, to accelerate the improvement of hospice care in BC. |
About the associationBCHPCA represents its members: individuals and organizations that deliver hospice/palliative care and bereavement services and programs across British Columbia and the Yukon Territory. | Contact usEmail: office@bchpca.org Unit 1100- 1200 West 73rd Ave, | Stay InTouchKeep up to date on upcoming events and recent job postings |
The BC Hospice Palliative Care Association (BCHPCA) recognizes the traditional land of the First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples who have walked before us and minded the lands we now call home for time immemorial. Hospice Societies have been able to support, aid and care for many people on these same lands. The BCHPCA Offices are located on the ancestral, traditional, and unceded lands of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and TsleilWaututh Nations.
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