Conducting a Reasonable Next of Kin/Claimant Search for an Unclaimed Body

June 27, 2019
Claimant Search for Unclaimed Bodies Purpose of Document This document provides a process for managing unclaimed bodies that were not investigated by a coroner across Ontario. The process ensures reasonable and timely efforts to locate persons who may claim a body in order to respect the dignity of a deceased person. When no claimant can be found, arrangements will be made by the Office of the Chief Coroner for the disposition of an unclaimed body pursuant to the Anatomy Act. This document includes:  Information Continue reading →

Caregiver distress: A crisis grows

April 2, 2019
A conversation between Anna Greenberg, Interim President and CEO of Health Quality Ontario, and Craig Lindsay, an individual who has had significant experience as a caregiver. Anna and Craig discuss both the broader issue of caregiver distress and the very personal challenges that an individual caregiver can face. To read the entire blog, please view the link https://www.hqontario.ca/Blog

HPCO Caregiver Support Modules

March 20, 2019
There are a vast number of resources readily available and provided for health care teams to support individuals in their palliative care and/or end of life journey. However, the individual’s informal caregiver is often underestimated during this process and can often feel as though they are not receiving adequate support, resources, treatment, and services to help them be the best caregiver they can be. The HPCO team has been working diligently to create a comprehensive set of caregiver modules with the goal of providing support Continue reading →

Medical Cannabis and Palliative Care

March 19, 2019
Seniors account for the fastest growing age group in Canada. It is expected by 2020 that 40% more deaths will occur. According to Canabo Medical Clinic, countries such as Canada are bracing for an expansion of the number of patients with catastrophic and chronic illnesses. Presently, cancer is the number-one cause of death in Canada, followed by heart disease and stroke, where these numbers are only expected to rise. Quality of life during this stage is at the heart of palliative care. As the numbers increase Continue reading →

Dan’s Law Passed First Reading

March 12, 2019
Dan Duma is the namesake for ‘Dan’s Law’ which is a bill in the Ontario Legislature designed to increase access for publicly-funded palliative care for Ontario residents who move out of province and then want to come home at the end of their lives. A new bill from Windsor West MPP Lisa Gretzky is aimed at changing that, called Dan’s Law. This law would remove the three-month waiting period for access to OHIP funded home and palliative care, for Canadian residents who move or return to Ontario. We Continue reading →

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 →

Statement on B-C14 (Medical Aid in Dying)

May 31, 2016
On Monday, May 30, 2016, Bill C-14 An Act to amend the Criminal Code and to make related amendments to other Acts (medical assistance in dying) passed the report stage in the House of Commons. With the passage of Bill C-14 by the House of Commons, the Hospice Palliative Care Ontario (HPCO) and the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association (CHPCA) remain committed to promoting access to hospice palliative care for all Canadians. We continue to strive to improve the quality of living and dying for persons with Continue reading →

Embracing Technology to Grow Ontario’s Volunteer Capacity

April 19, 2016
In an era of widespread digital communication, Hospice Palliative Care Ontario (HPCO) and Saint Elizabeth are teaming up to make online learning accessible to thousands of hospice volunteers across the province. Leveraging the unique strengths of their organizations, the partners are working collaboratively to update and transform existing classroom-based training into interactive e-learning modules that volunteers may complete at their own pace. The program improves access to volunteer training for a larger pool of volunteers, overcoming existing barriers such as busy schedules and geographic location. Continue reading →

Right Person. Right Place. Right Time.

February 1, 2016
When Ottawa South MPP, John Fraser spoke at HPCO’s annual conference last spring, his words instilled confidence in the nearly 700 attendees in the room that day – and more so since, through 16 consultations across the province over the last several months – that he was indeed the right person, in the right place at the right time, doing the right work. It’s his personal experience that has brought him to ‘this job, this office, this responsibility’  saying he feels like ‘this is where I’m Continue reading →

#GivingTuesday

November 30, 2015
This #GivingTuesday, on behalf of individuals with life-limiting illnesses and their families, Hospice Palliative Care Ontario is sharing stories to improve awareness regarding the benefits of hospice palliative care for individuals with life-limiting illnesses and their families via social media  – on Twitter @hpcontario, via HPCO’s Facebook page and on its website. Using a united voice representing its membership on #GivingTuesday, HPCO highlights the contribution its members make to Ontario’s hospice palliative care sector, including health care professionals, volunteers, community partners, policy makers and home caregivers Continue reading →