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News
Southlake’s Palliative Care Unit:
Providing Support and Comfort for Patients and their Families
Newmarket, Ontario – May 29, 2008 - Under sunshine and light clouds, Southlake Regional Health Centre welcomed staff, physicians, volunteers, and distinguished guests out to enjoy the view and the atmosphere of the beautiful roof top terrace adjacent to the in-patient Cancer Care and Palliative units of the hospital. This special garden reception was held in recognition of the official opening of the hospital’s new eight-bed Palliative Care unit. The event was a time to celebrate the opening of the unit, and what it means for the future of patient care at Southlake.
“The event was a great success,” says Rosalyn Gambell, Manager of Medicine and Inpatient Cancer Care. “The amount of support from both the community and Southlake staff was overwhelming.”
Southlake’s Palliative Care unit is committed to delivering quality end-of-life care while providing patients with the respect and dignity that they deserve. Physicians, nurses, volunteers and staff are specifically trained in palliative care to offer patients the support, comfort, and compassion that they need, while working very closely with family members to help them prepare for the days ahead.
“The opening of the unit means that our patients whose needs at the end of life cannot be met at home or in other care environments have an option for their last few months of life” says Dr. Nancy Merrow, Chief of Staff and Medical Director of the Palliative Care Program. “It is my sincere hope that you will never need our palliative care services, but in the case that you do, I am comforted in knowing that we have the resources available to provide you with the most compassionate care.”
The goal of palliative care is to neither hasten nor prolong the natural dying process in the face of terminal incurable disease. Instead, the goal is to provide support, comfort, and to improve the quality of life for patients at their final stages. In keeping with their commitment of offering quality, end-of-life care, the new unit at Southlake provides patients, who are not able to be cared for at home or in any other suitable place, a comfortable and compassionate environment.
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