Quebec hopeful of expanding palliative care without private agencies [Video]

Quebec Seniors Minister Sonia Bélanger wants to expand access to palliative care. However, with the end of private agencies, some are concerned about the feasibility of this goal due to a lack of resources.

As part of a webinar on palliative care organized Thursday by the Quebec College of Physicians (CMQ), Bélanger pointed out that funding for palliative care homes has been increased so that they can develop more places for this type of care and new day centres.

Her first act to improve access will be to take stock of the number of palliative care beds in hospitals and where they are located.

“We’ll then be able to set targets to improve the quality of palliative care in the various hospitals. It’s coming,” said the minister in a videoconference.

Ultimately, her goal is for all CISSS, CIUSSS and hospital centres in Quebec to have a “well-structured palliative care program.”

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