CHPCA updates on Covid-19

Updates from Sharon Baxter, Executive Director

I would like to start this e-blast by expressing my sincere appreciation for the work being done in hospice palliative care and the health care system generally during this trying time of uncertainty amid COVID-19. 

I am proud to mention that the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association (CHPCA) is an active member (and past chair) of the Health Charities Coalition of Canada (HCCC). The HCCC is currently working with CRA and Finance Canada to create some financial support program(s) for health charities. This is likely going to be a number of vehicles and we hope the Prime Minister will announce these programs in the coming weeks.

Many hospice palliative care programs rely heavily on charitable contributions for operating costs, and over the next year we expect to see financial stress on these programs so this situation needs to be addressed urgently. Currently, the HCCC members are meeting a number of times every week to work through many of these issues; we hope to have more details soon.

Correspondingly, I am working with the federal policy staff to underline some of the hospice palliative care key issues that were determined by the CHPCA Board representatives from each province as well as some Quality End of Life Care Coalition of Canada (QELCCC) members in light of COVID-19.  I am attaching the newest iteration of this key issues document here for your kind perusal. Please note, some of these issues might not be pertinent to every jurisdiction, but we felt it was important to summarize them in one place.  This document will be updated as we move along through this pandemic; please use it for advocacy purposes. Lastly, together we can make a difference that will help us in the short term and the future. 

Stay well and be strong, 

Sharon Baxter
Executive Director
Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association

Stay home, wash your hands, and help your community. Time for compassion and solidarity…

On March 11, 2020, the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) officially reached pandemic status. This is a very concerning time for many people with serious conditions and palliative care needs. Regardless of whether you are a health care provider, advocate, volunteer, patient or a caregiver, it is vital to know the facts and communicate proactively with your, families, loved ones, friends, colleagues and community. The CHPCA honours its members, partners and colleagues who display great compassion in their care for some of the most vulnerable in society.

It’s important to acknowledge the situation and respond to people’s concerns while staying positive! At CHPCA, we are still operating at full capacity! The whole team is working from home and continues to stand by the CHPCA vision and mission to advance quality hospice palliative care in Canada. Now more than ever, the palliative care compassionate approach is needed to ensure that the most vulnerable are cared for and their concerns, fears, and hopes are heard.


Sharon Baxter
Executive Director
Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association

Dear CHPCA associates and affiliates, colleagues, volunteers, and partners,

As the WHO-declared pandemic, COVID-19 progresses, this is a very concerning time for many people with serious conditions and palliative care needs, as well as their families, friends and communities.

The situation is ever-changing and we encourage everyone to pay attention to the public health experts that are directing our response here in Canada

Now more than ever, the palliative care compassionate approach is needed to ensure that the most vulnerable and isolated are cared for and their concerns, fears, and hopes are heard. It is a time for solidarity.

Our members, partners and colleagues display great compassion in their care for some of the most vulnerable in society.

Whether you are a person living with palliative care needs, a carer, clinician or advocate, we are all care ambassadors who can promote and engage in compassionate responses in our communities, and support health systems to ensure the dignity for people with serious illnesses as we face this together.

We are concerned about the health, both physical and mental, and the welfare of people with palliative care needs and those who are caring for them in the face of the COVID-19 crisis.

We are also confident in the leadership that hospice palliative care organizations and workers are exhibiting in providing compassionate care to the most vulnerable, making sure their voices are heard.

It is highly probable that our members may face serious challenges in delivering care as the course of this pandemic unfolds. But our hospice palliative care workforce is trained, experienced, resilient and ready to support the comprehensive needs of people, families and communities when serious illness strikes. They have been doing so for years; it is vital we share experiences across our network and beyond. Please stay in touch.

CHPCA continues to closely monitor the situation and will provide updates as necessary. As a community of people living with hospice palliative care needs, care providers, carers, and hospice palliative care advocates – we are all in this together.

Stay well.


Sharon Baxter,
Executive Director,
Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association

Some of this message is taken directly from the message sent by the WHPCA.

Further resources
Canada Public Health – Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)

Updates from Margaret Milner President, Board of Directors

“During these unprecedented times, we must not only manage a new way of relating to one another with social distancing and isolation, but also aim to provide care and support in new ways to those palliative and their loved ones grieving.  Across Canada, we are committed, we are strong and we are focused on excellence in hospice palliative care.  We cannot waver from this vision as the world changes around us.  As we remember to wash our hands fanatically and not touch our eyes, we must be creative to ensure that citizens at the end of their lifetime and needing hospice palliative care are served.

In each province and each community, hospice and palliative care could look different going forward.  We must hold the principles of excellence in hospice palliative care close as we look to address the needs of those palliative and their loved ones coping with loss.  Onward and upward in these trying times!  On behalf of the Board I acknowledge and honour each and every one working on a daily basis to ease the burden of those dying in Canada and their loved ones in grief and bereavement. 

Heartfelt thanks to you all and keep well.


Margaret Milner
President, Board of Directors 

Coronavirus (COVID-19) and the 2020 Learning Institute

The following statement is made in regards to the current situation surrounding Coronavirus (COVID-19).  The Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association (CHPCA) has been monitoring circumstances surrounding COVID-19 with relation to the status of the 2020 CHPCA Learning Institute.  The COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt all events and gatherings across Canada and around the world.  In following provincial recommendations to keep citizens safe, the City of Ottawa has declared a state of emergency and has shut down all public facilities until at least June 30, 2020.  As the CHPCA strives to do our part to curb the infection rate of COVID-19 and as current guidelines recommend a continued practice of social distancing and limiting of gatherings to no greater than 5 people, the CHPCA has made the hard but necessary decision to postpone the 2020 CHPCA Learning Institute. 
 
The CHPCA will be rescheduling the Learning Institute to November 12-14, 2020 at which time it is hoped that the situation with COVID-19 will be under control and normal daily activities will resume within Canada, as well as the world at large.   
 
For more information on the Learning Institute and other CHPCA activities, please continue to monitor our website regularly: https://www.chpca.ca

The following statement is made in regards to the current situation surrounding Coronavirus (Covid-19).  The Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association has been monitoring circumstances surrounding Covid-19 with relation to the status of the 2020 CHPC Learning Institute.  The Learning Institute is three months away so at this time we are hoping to go ahead with the 2020 Learning Institute.  The CHPCA feels confident in making the decision to move forward or not by May 1st based on advice from public health officials at that time.

The CHPCA will continue to monitor the situation closely and will reassess the status of the Learning Institute by May 1st.  The CHPCA has also made the decision that in light of uncertainties across the country with regards to funding for education programs in the coming weeks, we will also be extending the early bird registration rates until May 1st.  Should there be a need for cancellation, the CHPCA will explore alternative presentation formats at that time and make these known to Learning Institute attendees.  In addition, the CHPCA will extend the current cancellation policy for the Learning Institute until May 1st and will issue full refunds to delegates, less a $75 administrative fee.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) and the 2020 Hike for Hospice Palliative Care

Coronavirus (COVID-19) and the 2020 Hike for Hospice Palliative Care
 
The Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association has been monitoring circumstances surrounding Covid-19 with relation to the status of the 2020 Hike for Hospice Palliative Care (HFHPC).  With the Hike coming up in May, we are still in uncertain times around the status of the virus and recommendations to be made from public health officials at that time.
 
It is with this in mind that the CHPCA wishes to communicate that recommendations have been made to all Hike Sites to watch the public health guidelines being used within their provinces and communities and to come up with a contingency plan that best suits the needs and situations of their organizations/communities.
 
While some Hikes across the country have been cancelled or postponed there are still many Hike Sites that are moving forward with Virtual Hikes within their community.  We wish to recognize that each site is doing their upmost to respect social distancing practices and to help curb the spread of Covid-19 while instituting creative solutions to move forward with the 2020 HFHPC.
If you are interested in participating in a Hike for Hospice Palliative Care, please contact your preferred Hike Site to get further details on the status and format of their Hikes.

The following statement is made in regards to the current situation surrounding Coronavirus (Covid-19).  The Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association has been monitoring circumstances surrounding Covid-19 with relation to the status of the 2020 Hike for Hospice Palliative Care. With the Hike coming up in May, we are still in uncertain times around the status of the virus and recommendations to be made from public health officials at that time.
 
It is with this in mind that the CHPCA wishes to communicate with Hike sites that you should be watching the advice recommended in your provinces and communities and coming up with a contingency plan that best suits your organization/communities needs and situations.
 
As the Host Site Agreement recognizes the Hike date as May 3rd, we realize that this might not be possible for many of the communities across the country.  It is for this reason that we are supporting Hike sites in postponing or amending the format of your Hikes as you see necessary.  The CHPCA will allow and encourage Hike sites to remain under the Hike for Hospice Palliative Care umbrella in any decision that you choose to make regarding the 2020 Hike.
 
Please continue to monitor the situation closely and reassess the status of your Hikes as you deem necessary.  The CHPCA will also continue to monitor the recommendations being put forth from public health officials.
 
While we know that making the decision to host the 2020 Hike versus postponing/cancelling is not an easy decisions to make, the CHPCA will continue to support all Hike sites by providing ongoing access to materials and promotions as outlined in the Participation Agreement.  Please let the CHPCA know of your decided status for the 2020 Hike for Hospice Palliative Care.
 
Our thoughts are with you during these tremendously uncertain times.