MEDIA RELEASE
May 10, 2016
Legislative Assembly – Province of British Columbia
VICTORIA – The all-party Select Standing Committee on Health released its unanimous report on improving end-of-life care for British Columbians today.
The report recommended that an integrated and interdisciplinary palliative model of care be implemented, including appropriate supports and services for families and caregivers, and advance care planning.
The committee also recommended developing a team approach to palliative care, expanding in-home, primary-care services and supports for the frail elderly, as well as pro-active home visits for seniors. Additional recommendations include a patient-centred model of care that is responsive to the unique needs of those living with dementia or Alzheimer's disease, and improving the training and retention of physicians, nurses and other health professionals, especially in remote, rural and isolated communities.
"Taking care of loved ones at the end of their lives can be challenging for families and caregivers," said committee chair Linda Larson. "Committee members put a great deal of thought into the recommendations included in this report and we hope that government will adopt the committee's recommendations to improve end-of-life care for British Columbians."
The committee issued a call for submissions in June 2014, seeking input on a series of health-care questions. By Dec. 2014, the committee had received 111 submissions related to end-of-life care. Additionally, the committee hosted public meetings from April to Sept. 2015, hearing from 24 organizations.
"We were touched by many of the personal stories we heard during the consultation process. We learned a lot about the needs of British Columbians and we are proposing some important innovations to improve end-of-life care in B.C.," added deputy chair Judy Darcy. "We would like to thank the many organizations and individuals who took the time to make a submission to the committee."
The committee will continue its public consultations in 2016 as part of its work to continue to identify strategies for maintaining the sustainability and quality of B.C.'s health-care system.
The members of the Select Standing Committee on Health are:
Linda Larson, MLA Boundary-Similkameen (chair);
Judy Darcy, MLA New Westminster (deputy chair);
Donna Barnett, MLA Cariboo-Chilcotin
Dr. Doug Bing, MLA Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows;
Marc Dalton, MLA Maple Ridge-Mission;
Sue Hammell, MLA Surrey-Green Timbers;
Dr. Darryl Plecas, MLA Abbotsford South;
Selina Robinson, MLA Coquitlam-Maillardville;
Dr. Jane Jae Kyung Shin, MLA Burnaby-Lougheed;
Sam Sullivan, MLA Vancouver-False Creek;
John Yap, MLA Richmond-Steveston.
The committee's report is available at:
https://www.leg.bc.ca/cmt/health
For further information:
Susan Sourial
Clerk Assistant, Committees and Interparliamentary Relations
Room 224, Parliament Buildings
Victoria, B.C., V8V 1X4
Telephone: 250 356-2933 (collect)
Toll-free: 1 877 428-8337
Fax: 250 356-8172
Email:
HealthCommittee@leg.bc.ca
