Palliative Care in New Brunswick

Palliative-care services have been available in the province, in hospitals, nursing homes and in homes through the New Brunswick Extra-Mural Program. Palliative care guidelines for the Extra-Mural Program providers were developed in 2008, while a number of communities have developed hospice volunteers programs and grief and bereavement services.

A palliative care forum organized by the New Brunswick Cancer Network brought key stakeholders together. Working together they helped identify common challenges including timely access to palliative care, meeting needs with increasing demand, and the lack of skilled providers. Subsequently, The Palliative Care Advisory Committee consisting of key stakeholders was established by the Department of Health and led by the New Brunswick Cancer Network and the New Brunswick Extra-Mural Program. The committee made recommendations toward the development of this framework.

This conceptual framework and the strategic directions outlined in it support the development and standardization of palliative care services to meet the needs of persons living with life-limiting illness in New Brunswick.

Palliative Care in New Brunswick Framework