FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 31, 2013
NEW DEMOCRATS LAUNCH CAMPAIGN TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF CONTINUING CARE
OTTAWA – New Democrats will introduce legislation today to improve the quality of continuing care beyond the treatment of hospitals.
“Across this country we are seeing the growing gaps in continuing care between rural and urban, rich and poor” said NDP Health critic Libby Davies (Vancouver East).
“It is unacceptable that quality of life is being undermined because the federal government is disinterested in maintaining a national vision for health care and senior support” said Davies. “Improving palliative care cannot happen without greater changes to the health care system and attention to how resources are allocated.”
As well as Davies’ Private Member’s Bill on continuing care, MP Charlie Angus (Timmins-James Bay) introduced a Private Member’s Motion that would establish a national strategy on palliative care.
“Only 16 to 30% of Canadians have access to quality end of life care. There are huge disparities in access and service across this country. I challenge the Harper government to join the conversation on the need for quality palliative home and hospice care for Canadians” said Angus.
Check out the full details on Libby’s bill on home, long-term, and palliative care:
http://www.parl.gc.ca/content/hoc/Bills/412/Private/C-545/C-545_1/C-545_1.PDF
Charlie Angus’ motion on palliative care:
M-456 — October 21, 2013 — Mr. Angus (Timmins—James Bay) — That, in the opinion of the House, the government should establish a Pan-Canadian Palliative and End-of-life Care Strategy by working with provinces and territories on a flexible, integrated model of palliative care that: (a) takes into account the geographic, regional, and cultural diversity of urban and rural Canada; (b) respects the cultural, spiritual and familial needs of Canada’s First Nation, Inuit and Métis people; and (c) has the goal of (i) ensuring all Canadians have access to high quality home-based and hospice palliative end-of-life care, (ii) providing more support for caregivers, (iii) improving the quality and consistency of home and hospice palliative end-of-life care in Canada, (iv) encouraging Canadians to discuss and plan for end-of-life care.Pursuant to Standing Order 86(3), jointly seconded by:Ms. Sitsabaiesan (Scarborough—Rouge River) — October 24, 2013Ms. Davies (Vancouver East) — October 30, 2013