BC Centre for Palliative Care

BC Centre for Palliative Care Advancing palliative care through best practices, innovation and collaboration.

09/07/2026

Looking for a moment of calm this long weekend?

Join Kathleen, Director of Strategic Initiatives at the BC Centre for Palliative Care, as she shares her reflections on a palliative approach in long-term care while enjoying one of her favourite crafts.

Take some time for yourself, listen, reflect, and let us know what's inspiring you this weekend. We'd love to see your projects and hear your reflections in the comments.

A clear definition of an upstream Palliative Approach to Care supports collaboration across the health care system and c...
08/27/2026

A clear definition of an upstream Palliative Approach to Care supports collaboration across the health care system and community agencies, enabling coordinated, holistic care from the time of a life-limiting diagnosis. Greater Trail Hospice demonstrates this approach through a strong volunteer base spanning Nav-CARE, end-of-life, and grief support, alongside innovative education for people living with dementia, cancer and their caregivers. This work has strengthened partnerships within a Compassionate Community model.

However, in a rapidly changing system, gaps in communication, role clarity, and understanding can hinder timely connection with those who are seriously ill or grieving. In this ECHO session, we will review successes and challenges in rural communities, and participants will complete a partner mapping exercise to assess team connections and identify gaps in a palliative approach to care.

Register: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/D31MUAJ-TvyOVguOw1aiuw

Surrey Community Action Team is hosting a screening of the film No Fixed Address: The White Cart Memorial on Monday, Aug...
08/19/2026

Surrey Community Action Team is hosting a screening of the film No Fixed Address: The White Cart Memorial on Monday, August 31st, 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

If you haven't had the chance to watch this moving and thought-provoking film yet, this screening offers the chance to take part in a discussion following the film on grief and homelessness.

Find more information and sign up here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScWVjfuJJBNkw_Vkcxll2jpIExXoS1RnClEH4RDuukRX4Ynmw/viewform


Kelowna Homelessness Research Collaborative

We're excited to share a new publication from our team at the BC Centre for Palliative Care.This research explores front...
08/18/2026

We're excited to share a new publication from our team at the BC Centre for Palliative Care.

This research explores frontline clinician perspectives on implementing Serious Illness Conversations and identifies the factors that help integrate these important conversations into everyday care. The findings reinforce that training alone is not enough. Leadership, mentorship, team support, and effective systems all play a critical role.

Read the article: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/23333936261477873

Congratulations and thank you to the authors and all participating clinicians who contributed their insights to this work.

Did you know that once you move in with your partner, they could become your chosen person to make your healthcare decis...
08/12/2026

Did you know that once you move in with your partner, they could become your chosen person to make your healthcare decisions right away?

If you were in need of medical care and were unable to speak for yourself, healthcare providers will seek to identify someone who could make decisions for you. This person is known as a substitute decision maker.

If you do not have a Representative or an Advance Directive in place, your healthcare provider will need to identify a Temporary Substitute Decision Maker from a list defined by BC law.

The first person on this list is your spouse, including common-law relationships, and same-sex partners, no matter how long you have been living together.

Read more about Temporary Substitute Decision Makers and how to implement the choices that work for you and your situation here: https://www.bc-cpc.ca/all-resources/individuals/acp/substitute-decision-makers/ -temp-decis

Our first ECHO series focused on long-term care (LTC) was a huge success, and shows an interest in education and resourc...
08/10/2026

Our first ECHO series focused on long-term care (LTC) was a huge success, and shows an interest in education and resources on a palliative approach for LTC settings.

The 3-part ECHO series ran through May and June, and while the content was based on LTC settings, the sessions were open to all.

The topics covered were:
- Foundations and care planning
- Conversations - aligning care with what matters
- Person-centred symptom management – addressing pain

More than 200 people attended from 62 different organizations province-wide, and 90% of the attendees surveyed said they learned new things that they can apply to their practice.

If you missed the sessions, you can catch up with the recordings on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTKNdbNwtye8Tm9DSM3d3nH6idKew3qvU

Modern Palliative Care in the Emergency Room: What The Pitt Gets Us Talking AboutHave you heard of The Pitt, the televis...
08/06/2026

Modern Palliative Care in the Emergency Room: What The Pitt Gets Us Talking About

Have you heard of The Pitt, the television series produced by John Wells Productions and Warner Bros. Television?

Set in a busy emergency department, the show explores the complex decisions and conversations that arise when caring for seriously ill patients. Join physician Dr. Dave Williscroft as he shares real-world insights from his work in emergency and palliative care in our upcoming session.

🗓️ Aug 20, 2026 ⏰ 12:00 PM PST
Register: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/JvKeuwuSSV6t-l0i0AgimQ

Call for study participantsDo you provide grief support at a BC hospice? Are you currently serving or interested in serv...
08/05/2026

Call for study participants

Do you provide grief support at a BC hospice? Are you currently serving or interested in serving clients experiencing homelessness?

You are invited to evaluate our free, online, self-directed course, Navigating Grief and Bereavement in the Context of Homelessness: a Guide for Community Support Workers, designed to improve knowledge of grief and bereavement for those who want to serve people experiencing homelessness.

The results of this study will be used to test the effectiveness of the virtual educational module in building capacity to provide grief support to people experiencing homelessness for those who work or volunteer at hospices.

We are looking for people to participate in the study before August 31, 2026, who:
- work or volunteer with people who are grieving at a BC hospice
- are 19 years of age or older and live in British Columbia
- can understand English

NOTE: If you've already completed this online course, you may still be eligible to participate in this study

What's involved:
Participants will be asked to complete an online educational course and then complete an online post-module survey. The course will take about 2.5 hours to complete, and the evaluation survey will take approximately 10-15 minutes.
We appreciate participants volunteering their time for this study; unfortunately, we are not able to provide compensation.

If you are interested in taking part in this study or have any questions, please email Joshua Black at [email protected].

People experiencing homelessness face a disproportionately high cancer burden and significant barriers to accessing time...
07/31/2026

People experiencing homelessness face a disproportionately high cancer burden and significant barriers to accessing timely treatment.

Drawing on findings from a focused ethnography conducted in a Western Canadian city, this presentation explores how housing instability shapes cancer treatment decisions, care navigation, and access to oncology services.

Participants will gain insights into the critical role of caregivers, outreach providers, and integrated housing and healthcare systems in advancing equitable cancer care for individuals who experience homelessness.

🗓️ Aug 12, 2026 ⏰ 10:00 AM PST

Register: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/YKy2yYyRRkiDbJokOM_fig

Caregiving in contexts of homelessness can look different from traditional ideas of family caregiving. Join us for an EC...
07/30/2026

Caregiving in contexts of homelessness can look different from traditional ideas of family caregiving. Join us for an ECHO session with the Palliative Approaches to Care in Aging and Community Health team as they share research findings and recommendations from more than a decade of work with people living and working in contexts of homelessness.

Together, we'll explore how to better see, engage, and support caregivers in these contexts.

🗓️ Aug 11, 2026 ⏰ 12:00 PM PST

Register: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/4zXvV9vzRimU_ljDLwlXHA #/registration

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Suite 300/601 6th Street
New Westminster, BC
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Monday 9am - 5pm
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Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
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