By Scott Roblin

Community members voice concerns over palliative care wing closure

Nov 27, 2017 | 4:30 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Questions over end of life treatment in Medicine Hat dominated Monday’s meeting of the Palliser Health Triangle Advisory Council.

Members of the public were invited to share their opinions on the pending closure of the palliative care unit at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital, otherwise known as Ward Six West.

Announced in late October, a dozen beds at the facility will be closed with patients being transferred to the Carmel Hospice at St. Joseph’s Home.

Alberta Health Services said the move was made because both Ward Six West and the Carmel Hospice were running at half capacity, while more patients are electing for end of life care at home.

'An awesome, good feeling': National Volunteer Week underway in Medicine Hat

18h ago

Medicine Hat's spring Spectrum Festival returns for 2024

18h ago

'Lucky to do something I enjoyed so much': Celebrated Medicine Hat artist revisits his art

Apr 15, 2024

The move received some backlash however, with community groups such as the Palliser Friends of Medicare claiming there was little to no communication with stakeholders ahead of the announcement.

Friends of Medicare chair Avril Torrence said this move makes an already complicated process even more stressful for families with relatives needing end of life care.

“I’m really concerned that people, themselves, will not know what is [an] appropriate palliative care level to put them in comfort as they are dying,” said Torrence. “And why is that the responsibility of family members?”

According to AHS, the transition to the Carmel Hospice is expected to save $5.5 million per year compared to the model at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital, which will be reinvested into local health care.

With many long-term care patients moving to the newly opened Masterpiece Southland Meadows facility, AHS added this will relieve stress on their ongoing acute care services.

However, Torrence said just because someone is receiving palliative care at home, doesn’t mean they won’t need a hospital bed again.

“They are going to try and have their palliation take place in their home, and then things go awry suddenly,” she said. “And where do they end up? They end up in the emergency rooms, they end up back in the acute care hospital.”

Around 55 hospital staff are being affected by the closure, though AHS said all affected employees have been offered alternative employment.

If patients receiving palliative care at the Carmel Hospice need acute care, they will still be accepted by the hospital.

The palliative care beds at St. Joseph’s Home will be funded by AHS, while future use of Ward Six West is still being determined through strategic planning.

All 12 palliative care beds at the hospital will be closed by the end of December, with the first few patients being moved over to Carmel Hospice this month.