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Communications @ Hospice Palliative Care Ontario

2018 Conference a Success!

May 4, 2018
Our 2018 Conference: Striving for Equity in Hospice Palliative Care was a great success! On Saturday April 21st, HPCO presented the first pre-conference Symposium on Palliative Care for Homeless & Vulnerably Housed Populations. We opened our Conference on Sunday April 22nd with welcome remarks starting with Chief LaForme, followed by our HIT Talks. Delegates were able to visit our exhibitors and sponsors, and attend a variety of workshop series over the three days of conference. Monday evening was our Gala Dinner & Entertainment. Comedienne Martha Continue reading →

Ontario Budget 2018 – New Investments in Hospice Palliative Care

March 28, 2018
Hospice Palliative Care Ontario appreciates the Ontario Government’s continued commitment to supporting quality community hospice palliative care.  The demand for care is increasing with the aging population and new funding announced in the Ontario Budget will help people receive care in their homes, whenever possible.  The Government has also demonstrated tremendous compassion by committing to invest in developing models for perinatal hospice, when bereavement begins before birth.  HPCO will continue to work with Government as a valued partner in supporting people and their families with Continue reading →

The Cowan Foundation donates $150,000 to Hospice Palliative Care Ontario

January 30, 2018
The Cowan Foundation generously donates $150,000 to assist with the development of media-rich content for Hospice Palliative Care Ontario’s (HPCO) online e-learning tool for volunteer training. This commitment will help grow volunteer capacity in hospice palliative care across the province. Over 80 hospices in Ontario are using the e-learning tool to train hospice volunteers to provide emotional and physical care to the dying and emotional support and respite to family caregivers. Hospice Volunteers are also trained to provide bereavement support to both patients and families Continue reading →

Nominations for 2018 HPCO Scholarships and Bursary

September 21, 2017
HPCO honours individuals and organizations that provide or support excellent hospice palliative care in Ontario. Awards and Scholarships are presented annually at HPCO’s Conference.   The Joan Lesmond Scholarship HPCO awards the Joan Lesmond Scholarship to a community nurse or social worker in Ontario, working in the field of palliative care, who demonstrates a commitment to life-long learning and mentorship. The scholarship, named in loving memory of our friend, colleague and former board member Joan Lesmond includes a full registration to HPCO’s annual conference with Continue reading →

New Hospice Volunteer Application Form

August 22, 2017
HPCO has updated the Hospice Volunteer Application for those interested in becoming a hospice volunteer. Once the form is complete and has been submitted, HPCO will forward the application to a local hospice. Click here for the updated Hospice Volunteer Application.

Ontario Establishing Care Coordination Service to Support Patient Access to End of Life Options

May 31, 2017
  From the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care: As of May 31, 2017, Ontario will be launching a care coordination service to help patients and clinicians access information and support for medical assistance in dying and other end of life options. This service can be accessed by patients and their caregivers, as well as doctors or nurse practitioners. Patients and caregivers will receive information about end of life options, including information on hospice care and other palliative care options in their community and Continue reading →

Celebrating the Success of HPCO’s Online Hospice Volunteer Training System

May 11, 2017
A big thank you to the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care and Saint Elizabeth for partnering with HPCO to create a dynamic online hospice volunteer learning environment. Over 1,150 volunteers enrolled in the first nine months! Saint Elizabeth CEO Shirlee Sharkey and HPCO CEO Rick Firth announced the partnership at HPCO Annual Conference in April 2016. The learning environment went live in August 2016 and in the nine months since, 82 Ontario Hospices have enrolled over 1,150 hospice volunteers and  over 21,300 learning Continue reading →

HPCO’s 2017 Conference a Success!

May 8, 2017
  That’s a wrap on HPCO’s Annual Conference 2017! This year’s theme was Accessing Compassionate Care – Integrating Hospice Palliative Care Across the Continuum. Delegates had the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues and create thought-provoking conversations about how we can achieve better access to compassionate hospice palliative care in Ontario.   HPCO would like to thank all who participated in Conference to make it such a great success. We hope everyone enjoyed themselves, and will be back for next year’s Conference. Thank you to all delegates who travelled Continue reading →

Why you have to attend #hpco2017

October 6, 2016
There are so many reasons why you should plan to attend HPCO’s annual conference April 23-25, 2017 in Richmond Hill, Ontario. It’s the largest gathering of hospice palliative care expertise in the country. It’s the best opportunity to network with provincial colleagues from all sectors across the province to learn from and be inspired by unique approaches, best practices, innovations and inspirations. Don’t take it from us – here’s what our delegates had to say……

#hpco2017 CALL FOR ABSTRACTS

October 6, 2016
#hpco2017 CALL FOR ABSTRACTS The deadline is fast approaching for abstract submissions! Are you sharing recent research findings or a unique approach you’ve had to improve awareness and access to quality hospice palliative care in Ontario? If so, review the guidelines and submit your abstract for consideration by peer volunteer reviewers. There are options for workshops, oral papers and poster presentations.