PALLIATIVE CARE, PAIN & SYMPTOM MANAGEMENT PROGRAM 

" Guidelines for developing a Pain Management Program"
- Click here to view or download the manual online-

THE FOCUS OF THE PROGRAM

The Lambton Palliative Care Pain and Symptom Management Program works towards ensuring that persons with advanced disease or terminal illnesses and their families have access to health care providers who have expertise in the management of  pain and other distressful symptoms.

Many agencies and facilities in our region have developed palliative care services. As in other centers across Ontario, these programs may vary in structure, services provided and accessibility.   The purpose of the initiative is not to duplicate existing services. Our purpose is to develop a process to ensure that all persons in our county have equal access to efficient pain control and symptom management.

SERVICES OFFERED

The Consultant, a Registered Nurse supported by a physician and pharmacist , provides:

•  telephone consultation and information service to other health care providers and the public.

•  on-site pain & symptom management consultation & education in Long Term Care Facilities.

•  home consultation for cancer pain & symptom management and pain issues in the cognitively impaired person.

• palliative care education courses, workshops and conferences.

Information about pain & symptom management, available community care resources, palliative care education and palliative issues in general is available.

Having such a resource - especially to those facilities or agencies where presently no palliative care service exists - will help ensure access to palliative care resources and may allow persons to remain in their homes or long term care facilities longer perhaps until their death.

The Lambton County Palliative Care Multi-disciplinary Education Program provides education in the Level I, Advanced Level  Physician Education, Refresher Days and Mentor Programs, and Comprehensive Advanced Palliative Care Education (CAPCE). The Consultant in collaboration with the  Lambton County Palliative Committee Committee manages this program.

  The Victorian Order of Nurses, Sarnia/Lambton, manages the Palliative Care Volunteer Visiting Program.

HOW TO USE THE SERVICES OF THE PROGRAM

Health Care Providers - from hospitals, long-term care facilities and the community agencies - and any individuals or family members dealing with life-threatening illnesses are encouraged to call .

HOW TO MAKE CONTACT

The Consultant and the Registered Nurses working in the Palliative Care Unit at the Lambton Hospitals Group have expertise in palliative care.

When the Consultant is not available the Palliative Care Unit nurses take the calls.  

•  Consultant 0800-1600 hours, Monday-Friday call 519 - 542 -1686 and leave a message for Ann Brignell

• Palliative Care Unit after hours and on Sundays call 519 - 464 - 4400 ext. 8542

 Support is available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

HOW THIS PROGRAM ORIGINATED

In December 1992, the Ministry of Health announced funding for 4 initiatives designed to enhance the care of those with life-threatening or terminal illnesses. The 4 initiatives are:

1.    Education of interdisciplinary service providers

2.    Education of family physicians

3.   Supporting and maintaining hospice volunteer visiting programs

4.    Establishing pain and symptom management teams in all areas of Ontario (Palliative Care Initiatives for Ontario: A Partnership for Caring. July 1993)  

A collaborative proposal was submitted and accepted from the Tri-County region of Lambton, Kent and Essex.  Currently, Saint Joseph’s Health Centre London is designated as the sponsor for initiative # 1 and #4, for the 10 counties of South western Ontario SJHC receives the program funding through the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care Office.