Bruyère, Sharon Carstairs partner for palliative care training
Posted Feb 5, 2023 09:00:00 PM.
Bruyère, Sharon Carstairs and the OutCare Foundation have created a partnership to train more nurses to work in hospice palliative care.
Honouring the legacy of former Senator Sharon Carstairs, a long-time champion for better end-of-life care in Canada, a new fellowship program was developed to give nurses at Bruyère the opportunity to receive training in palliative care.
Paula Doering, a senior vice-president at Bruyère, said on The Sam Laprade Show the program will hopefully address any knowledge gaps nurses may have and allow them to provide a higher level of care to patients no matter what aspect of care they are involved in.
“It may be one of our nurses in primary care or family health teams, it may be a nurse at the bedside, it may be a nurse that's out in our community, and they will have the chance to step outside of their comfort zone,” said Doering. “They will gain the knowledge, understanding and that expertise in palliative care to bring it back to the bedside and apply that care.”
With an aging population – there are more Canadians are over 65 years-of-age than under 15 – Canada is due to face another challenge in health care as the trend continues.
“We don't have enough geriatricians to look after them and we certainly don't have enough long term care beds,” said Sharon Carstairs, joining Doering on The Sam Laprade Show. “And we certainly can't deny them the care they should have at the end of life.”
Doering adds that on top of dealing with an aging population, Bruyère looks after patients in their teens up to those over 100 years-old with “life limiting illnesses,” many of whom may still be alive for months or even years.
This program allows nurses across their programs to get training and provide a palliative approach to care for all their patients
“It's an area that we didn't have enough specialized training in, certainly when I went to school,” Doering said. ” Palliative care will provide a better quality of life. Every staff member wants the opportunity to be able to allow that for their patients and their families.”
Providing palliative care is the best thing to be provided for end-of-life care, said Carstairs, as it provides dignity and quality of life. However, few Canadians have access to end-of-life care, according to Carstairs.
“We have to make a decision as to how we want our loved ones to pass. And palliative care is the best thing we have to offer,” she said.
A total of $140,000 has been raised for the fellowship's endowment. Through fundraising efforts including their annual black-tie bingo event, the OutCare Foundation raised $50,000. Carstairs and her husband, John, contributed $90,000, and Bruyère will provide annual support.
The first 12-week annual fellowship is set to start in January 2024.
Listen to the full interview with Senator Sharon Carstairs and Paula Doering on The Sam Laprade Show below.
