WHITBY FREE PRESS; WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1988, PAGE 13 Committee established to find palliative care needs By Marion Irwin In June of 1988 a group of 20 people from Durham Region health care agencies met to begin the discussion of a type of health care which is becoming increas- ingly important and in demand. This type of care, usually re- ferred to as palliative care in Canada but in the States and the United Kingdom more often cal- led hospice care, reflects a need that patients and their families have when those patients no long- er can or wish to receive treat- ment aimed at curing their illness or prolonging their lives. Such care strives to address not only the physical needs such as pain and other symptoms but also the social, emotional, and spirit- ual needs and in this way is dir- ected at the care of the "whole" person. When a family is confronted with the knowledge that one of its members has only a short time to live, much turmoil results. Its total routine, indeed its total life- style, is disrupted and thrown in- to chaos. Philosophies of life, up- bringing, and environment will determine how such a family meets the prospect of the death of one of its members. Palliat ive care, then, addres- ses the needs that a family will have under such circumstances and strives to ensure the highest possible quality of life. It is a care that involves the input of many health care professionals and vol- unteers. It has been identified as an ar- ea of increasing need in our com- munities as well as an areas of increasing acceptance not only among those receiving such care but among the health care pro- fessionals as well. Several of these professionals from different agencies are now coming to realize that palliative care is an area which will require more -attention froin their agen- cies very soon. Therefore, repre- sentatives of these agencies met to discuss the situation in hopes of co-ordinating efforts and shar- ing expertise. Palliative care is currently available to Oshawa General Hos- pital, where a team under the direction of Dr. Gillian Gilchrist attends to the care of families where a member is experiencing a life threatening illness. Such care is achieved when the family's doctor requests the services of the palliative care team. As well as Dr. Gilchrist, two nurses and a social worker address the needs of the patient. Other hospital services such as those from physiotherapy and di- etary are also available as needed to assist in making the whole family as comfortable as possible. Demand for palliative care at Oshawa General bas increased dramatically since its inception seven years ago, as more patients and health caregivers realize its benefits. Often, when such a patient has had his or her pain and other symptoms controlled, he or she is able te return home. At this point it is possible for Home Gare to take over in conjuction with the family whatever care and support may be necessary. In this case, the services cf a nurse, physio- therapist, social wcrker, dietitian, or whatever expertise is required is provided to meet the family's needs. This service, kncwn simply asHome Gare, is actually provid- ed under the auspices cf the Ont- ario Hospital Insurance Plan. In dealing with the aspect cf providing palliative support for fanmilies where a member is ex- periencing a life threatening ill- ness and where such experience, due to medical expertise and technology, is often longer than it might have been in the past, health care professionals are rec- ognizing the need for specialzed training in this area. At the moment, Dr. Gilchrist and her team provide training at Oshawa General Hospital for the profes- sionals there .while Durham Col- lege pve - unteers and professionals who wish to work with terminally ill people. The groups of interested people who met in June at the invitation of Barbara Harburn, director of the Home Care service, listened to a presentation by Hospice King, an organization of volun- teers who address the needs of terminally ill people in the area surrounding King City, and to Valerie Durnford, co-ordinator of York Region Palliative Care Ser- vice. immediately attempted to estab- the needs on a regional basis, a From this meeting a steering lisb the palliative care naeds that survey will be prepared and sent committee was formed under the the individual members were rec- te agencies tbreughout Durham chairmanship of Marion rwin, ognizing in this area. Region and what future plans (with Judy Skinner prepared to there may be te address tbem. act in the absence of Irwin). The At this peint in the life cf the As well, it is intended te issue a committee, with members from steering committea, a surveyand newsîetter from time te time as the Victorian Order of Nurses, volunteer action sub-committee plans develop. Input from tbe Home Care, Public Health, the bas been formed te initiate dis- cemmunity or any area cf pallia- Canadian Cancer Society, Osh- cussion and planning in these ar- tive care would be mest welcome. awa General Hospital, Uxbridge eas. Palliative Care Network, the cler- To obtain or provide further in- gy, Holy Cross Church Lay Past- As the steering committea formation, caîl Irwin at 668-4339 oral Visiting, and the cmmunity, wishes te oaddress and co-ordinate orSkinner at 433-2489.