Quebec hopeful of expanding palliative care without private agencies
![Residents in a CHSLD in Quebec Residents watch television at CHSLD Rose-de-Lima seniors residence Friday, March 12, 2021 in Laval, Quebec. (Ryan Remiorz, The Canadian Press)](/content/dam/ctvnews/en/images/2024/5/23/residents-in-a-chsld-in-quebec-1-6898311-1716490131656.jpg)
Quebec Seniors Minister Sonia Bélanger wants to expand access to palliative care. However, with the end of private agencies, some are concerned about the feasibility of this goal due to a lack of resources.
As part of a webinar on palliative care organized Thursday by the Quebec College of Physicians (CMQ), Bélanger pointed out that funding for palliative care homes has been increased so that they can develop more places for this type of care and new day centres.
Her first act to improve access will be to take stock of the number of palliative care beds in hospitals and where they are located.
"We'll then be able to set targets to improve the quality of palliative care in the various hospitals. It's coming," said the minister in a videoconference.
Ultimately, her goal is for all CISSS, CIUSSS and hospital centres in Quebec to have a "well-structured palliative care program."
During the webinar, Bélanger answered a dozen questions from the 2,000 or so doctors and other health-care professionals who were present online.
One of them worried that without the use of private agencies, Bélanger would not be able to realize her commitment to more palliative care and more home care.
"We're in a difficult context of shortage, but we won't stop ourselves from developing the programs we need to develop for people's well-being," she said.
According to the PalliAmi Foundation, the number of patients requiring palliative care in Quebec is expected to jump from 44,000 today to 70,000 in 2050.
Bélanger said private agencies could continue to serve establishments to avoid "the slippage we are currently experiencing in our public health-care system."
"Some agencies will stay if they respect the conditions and are willing to continue contracting with establishments. We're not talking about the complete disappearance of employment agencies, but if they don't change their salary conditions, it's certain that a number of them will reconsider," she said.
The Ministry of Health hopes that private agency staff - who come from the public system - will return to the public network, Bélanger said.
She also pointed out that 1,000 more employees have been working in home-care services over the past two years.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on May 23, 2024.
The Canadian Press health content receives funding through a partnership with the Canadian Medical Association. The Canadian Press is solely responsible for editorial choices.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6979388.1722030190!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Celine Dion delivers stirring comeback performance at Paris Olympics opening ceremony
Against the rainy Paris night sky, Celine Dion staged the comeback of her career with a powerful performance from the Eiffel Tower to open the Olympic Games.
Jasper wildfire: 'Several weeks' before residents can return, premier says
Premier Danielle Smith said Friday afternoon in Hinton while weather conditions are cooler, the Jasper fire is still considered out of control and that Jasper residents can expect to be away from their homes 'for several weeks.'
Missing 3-year-old boy found dead in creek in Mississauga, Ont.: police
A three-year-old boy has been found dead a day after he went missing in a park in Mississauga, Ont., Peel police say.
Irish museum pulls Sinead O'Connor waxwork after just one day due to backlash
An Irish museum will withdraw a waxwork of singer-songwriter Sinéad O'Connor just one day after installing it, following a backlash from her family and the public, it told CNN in a statement on Friday.
Winnipeg senior's account overdrawn for $146,000 water bill
A Winnipeg senior is getting soaked with a six-figure water bill.
FBI says Trump was indeed struck by bullet during assassination attempt
Nearly two weeks after Donald Trump’s near assassination, the FBI confirmed Friday that it was indeed a bullet that struck the former president’s ear, moving to clear up conflicting accounts about what caused the former U.S. president’s injuries after a gunman opened fire at a Pennsylvania rally.
Driver charged after flashing high beams at approaching police
Orillia OPP arrested and charged a driver with impaired driving after flashing their high beams.
Turpel-Lafond won't sue CBC over Cree heritage report that took 'heavy toll': lawyer
The lawyer for a former judge whose claims to be Cree were questioned in a CBC investigation says his client is not considering legal action against the broadcaster after the Law Society of British Columbia this week backed her claims of Indigenous heritage.
Major Canadian bank experiences direct deposit outage on payday
Scotiabank says it has fixed a technical issue that impacted direct deposits on Friday morning.