Division Update: Palliative Care Programs
Palliative care is an important part of family practice, helping patients and families navigate care during a vulnerable stage of life. The Central Okanagan Division works closely with the community palliative care teams to provide guidance, resources, and support for physicians.
Programs and Supports Available:
Central Okanagan Community Palliative Care Program
Criteria: < 6 months life expectancy; covers Oyama to Peachland. MRP must be available to take calls from the community palliative RN. If you feel you cannot be MRP, please find a colleague who can. There is a Palliative Physician on-call service for patients dying at home. You can sign out to this group when needed.
Paperwork for application to program is updated on Pathways. These forms include:
BC Palliative Care Benefits
External Referral – Home Health
Community Hospice Bed Access Referral
MOST, with “M” designation
Expected Death at Home
Hospice Beds: Central Okanagan Hospice House and Brookhaven
Central Okanagan Hospice House – 24 beds
Brookhaven Kelowna Hospice House – 3 beds
Patients admitted for:
End of Life (<3 months)
Pain and Symptom Management
Respite (usually 2 weeks max)
MRP must be available 24/7. Expectation is 2x/week visits.
Palliative Hospice Consultants
Available M–F at Kelowna Hospice House. Any MRP may ask for a consult on admitted patients. All patients admitted for pain and symptom management are seen on admission by a consultant. There is also a Hospice Hospitalist program for unattached patients requiring admission.
Palliative Chronic Disease Management Team (PCDMT)
For non-malignant patients at home needing symptom management and a palliative approach. Patients do not need to be on the Palliative Care Program. Currently available in Kelowna only (not available in West Kelowna or Lake Country). Consider the “surprise question”: I would not be surprised if my patient died in the next year – for non-malignant diagnoses. An RN and SW can make home visits from 9–4 to help manage complex Heart Failure and COPD and liaise with specialty clinics in town (Heart Function Clinic, Respiratory Rehab, etc.).
Acute Care Palliative Team
We now have a Palliative Specialist, Pablo Amigo, and a team of RN Care Coordinator, SW, TL. You may hear from them regarding admitted patients.
BC Cancer Pain and Symptom Management
For patients with malignant diagnoses needing symptom control. Use the regular BC Cancer referral form. Patients are seen by the BC Cancer team.
MAiD
This program is separate from palliative care. Contact information available on the IH website.
Palliative Learning
BC Centre for Palliative Care: Symptom Management Guidelines – the most comprehensive palliative guidelines for BC. Link available on Pathways or Inside Net.
LEAP Courses – Regular palliative education courses offered in Kelowna. See Pallium Canada website; advertised in the Divisions Newsletter.
Questions?
Palliative Physician: Marianne Morgan – 250-859-2346
Community Integrated Care Coordinator (CICC): Nikki and Kristine – 250-215-3783