Up to $1 million will be provided to establish a resource center to support health care professionals in providing palliative care to children and families.

April 29, 2024 | Ottawa, ON | Health Canada

Every person in Canada, including children and young people, deserves to have access to the health care they need, when they need it. Palliative care helps improve the quality of life, well-being and resilience of seriously ill patients and their families. It is an essential element at the heart of our healthcare system.

On behalf of the Honorable Mark Holland, Minister of Health, the Honorable David McGuinty, Member of Parliament for Ottawa South, today announced that Roger Neilson, Children’s Palliative Care will receive up to $1 million over three years for his project to improve access to pediatric care Palliative care across Canada. Creating a central resource center for health organizations, health professionals and communities will strengthen the health system’s ability to provide care and support that addresses the unique needs of children and adolescents diagnosed with a serious illness and their families. to the location of your choice.

The Federal Government’s Palliative Care Action Plan aims to improve the quality of life of people with serious illnesses, expand access to palliative care, and improve the quality of care and at the same time the effectiveness of our health system. The Palliative Care for Children project with Roger Neilson supports the objectives of the Action Plan by promoting better access to palliative care for children and families from disadvantaged backgrounds. Steps in this direction include sharing knowledge with caregivers, therapists, and other health professionals, as well as helping to establish and maintain community support networks for families.

We will continue to work with provinces, territories, organizations, people with serious illnesses, caregivers and communities to improve the quality of palliative care and the delivery of palliative care to everyone in Canada, including the most vulnerable.