Hospice palliative care, also called end-of-life care, includes a range of services for dying people of all ages, including children, and their families.
Quality End-of-Life care supports palliative clients, their families and caregivers before, during and after death, and addresses aspects of the illness and death experience that are:
Our focus is on comfort rather than curing an illness, to give people the best possible quality of life. Read more about our palliative and end-of-life services.
You can access Island Health Hospice Palliative Care services through two sources:
For palliative care units in Victoria, Nanaimo, and Saanich Peninsula, your family doctor, nurse practitioner or Home Care Nurse will coordinate admission.
For services and support at home, our Home and Community Care team team will coordinate access.
Contact your family doctor, your Nurse Practitioner, or your local Community Health Services office for more information or for a referral.
For access to services provided by Hospice Societies please contact the local Hospice Society in your area.
There are no fees for publicly subsidized Community Health Services for palliative clients in the last six months of life. However, charges do apply for publicly subsidized inpatient hospice and respite care. These charges are based on the minimum residential care rates and are set by the provincial government. For more information, click here.
Additionally, the B.C. Palliative Care Benefits Program supports individuals of any age in the last six months of life who wish to receive palliative care at home. Under the program, eligible clients receive:
For more information, check with your physician, Hospice Society, Home Care Nurse or visit this link: B.C. Palliative Care Benefits Program.
Ten Hospice Societies and two other groups in communities across the Island Health region offer a variety of palliative and bereavement programs and support services for patients and families. For more information on the programs and services offered please click on the links below or contact the society directly:
The Vancouver Island Federation of Hospice Societies is comprised of all the hospice societies on Vancouver Island.
An End-of-Life Care Glossary is available on the Victoria Hospice website.
End of Life Care and Hospice Beds FAQ
Canadian Virtual Hospice Palliative Care Video (7:19min)
This YouTube video explains how the Virtual Hospice supports Canadians
As Death Approaches: Advice & Comfort Measures for Caregivers
Food & Fluids at the End of Life
Spiritual Care Services Brochure
Caring for a CADD Infusion Pump at Home
Opioids for Symptom Control in Palliative Care
Ministry of Health Guidelines & Protocols Advisory Committee (GPAC) - Palliative Care
Who's Who in Palliative Care
In Difficult Times: Compassionate Care Benefits
