Oct 22, 2015 – Health Minister Terry Lake was on hand at the official opening of the Nancy Chan Palliative Care Ambulatory Clinic — a first of its kind in Canada thanks to a $650,000 donation to the VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation from the Chan family.

Nancy Chan passed away in 2005. The family’s outstanding home-care experience inspired them to seek ways to help improve the quality of life for those with life-limiting illnesses and to support those who care for them, eventually leading to the donation to VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation.

The Nancy Chan Palliative Care Ambulatory outpatient clinic provides specialist consultation to clients and families residing in Vancouver who are facing a life-limiting illness with complex symptoms or psychosocial concerns. The integrated team, Vancouver’s Home Hospice Palliative Care Service, made up of a physician, clinical nurse specialist, social worker and spiritual care practitioner, work in collaboration with the family doctor, nurse practitioner and community health nurses to develop a holistic care plan.

The clinic will also be offering support programs including caregiver education series and mindfulness relaxation. Additionally, grief and bereavement services will be available for families and loved ones. The clinic will also offer state-of-the-art telehealth video-conferencing capabilities provide an opportunity to extend their knowledge and expertise, and support palliative care education to communities throughout British Columbia.

“My mom was incredibly caring and loving, and she gave so much of her time and support to others,” said Erica Chan. “This clinic honours that spirit – by reaching out to others to make sure they can access the care they need.”

 

FUNDING SUPPORTS NEW PALLIATIVE CARE PROGRAM FOR RESIDENTIAL CARE
Minister Lake also announced $250,000 in funding provided to the VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation from the Province, to continue its support of VCH’s palliative residential care program by expanding it to all 37 publicly-funded residential care facilities in Vancouver.

Through training and education, the two-year pilot program will ensure that staff and physicians in residential care facilities are better prepared to talk with residents and their families about end-of-life and goals for care. It will also ensure that care providers have the right training, tools and resources to begin the conversation with residents and family early on about death, and to provide the most holistic and comprehensive care to patients.

All VCH and Providence staff are welcome to drop in to the Nancy Chan Palliative Care Ambulatory Clinic Open House on Wednesday, November 25 anytime from 1 to 4:30 pm – for tours, and to learn about the services from clinic staff.

 

OPEN HOUSE DETAILS
Address: #580 – 999 West Broadway (BCAA building on the corner of Oak and Broadway)
Parking: some street parking, some paid parking in the lot behind the building

Refreshments will be served –please RSVP if possible.  If you’re not able to RSVP and the opportunity arises, you are still welcome to drop in!
RSVP to: 604-659-1160 or email Mary Chan