In 2002, the Fraser Health Hospice Palliative Care (HPC) Clinical Service Group strongly supported the need to move to a community based service delivery model which would allow for the reduction of deaths within acute care, while improving quality and access to specialized palliative care resources. Hospice beds were seen as creating a more appropriate care setting for patients who are dying, as well as providing the favourable economics that occur when a shift is made away from acute care.
In the 2000-2003 Fraser Health Directional Plan, the reallocation of acute care beds to hospice beds throughout the region was noted as a strategic priority.
The development of such a comprehensive, population based approach to HPC in a large integrated health authority has been a significant challenge. This manual is an opportunity to share the knowledge gained over the past five years with other healthcare providers across Canada and make explicit the standards, principles and operational learning that have been realized in Fraser Health as the result of our experience.
