With the election just days away, issues, platforms and policies are flying around like leaves in a windstorm.
One issue which has not had the same prominence in this campaign is hospice/palliative care, an issue that affects every single individual on earth.
Quesnel and District Hospice Palliative Care Association (QDHPCA) had booked a debate with the three Cariboo North candidates, but unfortunately that night the provincial leaders debate forced organizers in Quesnel to cancel the local event.
Undeterred, QDHPCA pursued each candidate with a set of questions on the subject in order for this issue to reach the voters before voting day, May 14.
To begin the conversation, the questionnaire laid out five areas beginning with each candidate’s impression of the government’s End-of-Life Care Action Plan, then moving to their take on the current attitude of the medical community towards trained hospice/palliative care volunteers and their role in end-of-life care. Equitable funding for hospice beds across the province and in various types of facilities was the next question, followed by the need for stronger legislation regarding advance directives. The final question addressed the issue of right patient in the right bed at the right time.
Each candidate was asked to comment on all five hospice/palliative care issues.
• The provincial government has a provincial strategy and Action Plan for End of Life Care in B.C. Comments?
BC NDP candidate Duncan Barnett
The provincial strategy for End of Life Care outlines important goals for improving the quality of life for those with life limiting illnesses – without any funding attached. A BC NDP government will improve the quality of care throughout B.C., ensuring the funding is in place each step of the way.
We are committed to enhancing home support and prevention efforts for seniors and people with chronic disease along with increasing standards of care in residential care facilities; including more direct hours of care; and establishing more community-based clinics with multi-disciplinary teams to strengthen primary healthcare. We will also establish an Independent Seniors’ Representative.
Independent candidate Bob Simpson
B.C.’s End-of-Care plan is comprehensive and holistic. Unfortunately, this plan is not sufficiently resourced and not available province-wide. We need to revisit this plan to make sure that rural areas of the province are provided with the resources and expertise to implement this plan.
BC Liberal candidate Coralee Oakes
My party and I recognize an increased focus on hospice and palliative care in B.C. is long overdue. The BC Liberal Government recently released an end-of-life Action Plan and I believe this plan will strengthen end-of-life care in BC.
My party has made a commitment in our platform to double the number of hospice beds in B.C. by 2020.
•Many within the palliative care organizations see that, in their daily operation within the health care system, they tend to be regarded more as fundraising agents rather than true partners in care, partners who work along side health care providers and augment medical care.
How will you and your party support an attitude shift regarding what could or should be the real role of palliative care societies in providing the best total end-of-life care to the people of B.C.?
BC Liberal candidate Coralee Oakes
Our commitment to double the number of hospice beds in B.C. by 2020 can’t be done entirely by government, which is why we will partner with hospice societies to achieve this goal. The men and women who are part of palliative care societies are heroes and we need to find ways to ensure they are working to their full potential.
BC NDP candidate Duncan Barnett
Our plan includes investment in improvements to home support, residential and primary care – taking pressure off our hospitals. Reducing costs associated with acute care will mean more resources are available to invest in other levels of care such as end-of-life care. Providing adequate resources for health care would mean volunteers could perform the work they volunteered (and were trained) to do, rather than spend their time fundraising.
Independent candidate Bob Simpson
More work needs to done with the medical community to educate them about the value of hospice and palliative care services for end-of-life care. The medical community must be helped to realize the benefits of having both volunteers and professional palliative care and the value of hospice facilities. These services are currently under-utilized.
• Are you aware that funding for hospice palliative care is not equitable across the province? In Quesnel, the hospice unit is attached to Dunrovin Park Lodge, a residential care facility and because of its location, palliative care patients admitted to a palliative care bed are required to pay a per diem of $31/day. If the hospice setting is truly valued by patients and their families at end-of-life, then barriers such as the per diem must be removed. When you become MLA for this riding, do you see yourself able to represent your constituents on this contentious issue, even if this may be contrary to party line?
Independent candidate Bob Simpson
There should be no fees for hospice beds. There should be no discrimination between hospice beds that are associated with hospitals and ones that are either stand alone or associated with seniors’ facilities. Hospice beds should be funded equitably regardless of their location.
BC Liberal candidate Coralee Oakes
Taking a look at the funding formula for hospice beds is something I will continue to fight for.
BC NDP candidate Duncan Barnett
Reducing inequality – in all its forms including health inequality – is the cornerstone of our platform.
Each member of the legislative assembly has an equal voice and vote. Part of the job of an MLA is to assist constituents with resolution of contentious issues and to represent the interests of the riding within the provincial context. Members of the Assembly elected under the BC NDP have deliberately chosen to work together within a party and a caucus structure to advance our shared values and goals such as universal health care.
• Are you aware of the Advanced Directive being promoted throughout B.C.? Have you prepared your own? Do you know how? Do you promote this initiative?
BC NDP candidate Duncan Barnett
The government has prepared a useful guide on advanced directives, but has not done the work of promoting it to ensure the information is reaching the people who need it. No, I have not prepared my own yet, however, I have the advanced care planning guide.
BC Liberal candidate Coralee Oakes
The Liberal government updated B.C.’s incapacity and personal planning laws in 2011, making it easier for British Columbians to make their wishes and instructions known and then in 2012 developed and released the Advanced Care Planning Guide. After this question was raised in a forum, I made sure I picked up a copy from the hospital and plan to share this with my family. I certainly intend on promoting this initiative and encourage everyone to pick up the guide at the hospital.
Independent candidate Bob Simpson
I believe this tool must be supported with stronger legislation so it is fully recognized without question by the medical community and health authorities.
•Will you commit to advocating for a comprehensive visionary palliative care policy that puts the right patient in the right bed at the right time?
Independent candidate Bob Simpson
It is a critical level of support that provides special expertise to allow families to support their loved one to die with dignity and I absolutely support the implementation and resourcing of a comprehensive policy for end-of-life care. The need for this level of care will only grow and we must resource this need appropriately.
BC NDP candidate Duncan Barnett
The BC NDP believe in a continuum of care so all British Columbians get the right kind of care at the right time – from home support, to independent living, assisted living, residential care and palliative care. Our fully-costed health care platform is available at www.bcndp.ca/plan.
BC Liberal candidate Coralee Oakes
I do believe palliative care can be improved in B.C. I commit to being an advocate and I look forward to participating in this conversation if elected as MLA.
