About a year ago the MPs of the Parliamentary Committee on Palliative and Compassionate care began a journey, seeking ways to improve the care given to vulnerable and dying Canadians. Twenty four hearings, and hundreds of witnesses later, the Committee is ready to release a report of its findings. This was a daunting task. The numerous submissions presented to the committee, exemplify the profound concern Canadians have for compassionate care. The Committee is not a standing committee; but rather an all party group of MPs who conducted these hearings as a response to the deeply felt concerns expressed by Canadians for issues surrounding the way palliative and compassionate care is practiced. No budget was made available to bring people to testify. Despite this, large numbers of Canadians came at their own expense, to provide expertise and share their stories. These are the people who are directly affected by the practice of palliative and compassionate care; either as front line caregivers and the remarkable people for whom they provide care, or as people who already experience the vulnerability of various disabilities. End of life issues can involve suffering, and great hope, discouragement and resilience, creativity and compassion. Everyone will ultimately face their own mortality as we encounter our own fragility, and that of our loved ones. In that way, the issues involved in providing compassionate care are important to every Canadian.
- Pages
- 192
- Published in
- Canada
