Home palliative care crucial for rural areas

I am writing in regards to Dr. Bob Martel’s recent resignation as palliative care physician serving the Strait Richmond area

Dr. Martel has been very well received by terminalIy ill patients and their families. The community has benefited greatly by having a physician who has such a passion for palliative care.

An article in the Cape Breton Post on June 24 (“Planning paramount for health authority”) quoted Dr. Lynne Harrigan as saying the Nova Scotia Health Authority is looking to fill 31 specialist positions in the eastern zone. The Strait Richmond Hospital does not have a palliative care unit or even designated palliative care beds. Therefore providing palliative care in the home is even more crucial.

The staff at the Strait Richmond Hospital is very supportive and caring, but it is an acute care hospital and palliative care has very special needs. The Strait Richmond Hospital is very fortunate to have Nancy Cameron as palliative care coordinator. Palliative care physician Dr. Phillip Cooper provides great palliative care but he only comes to the Strait Richmond area from Antigonish one day every three weeks. That is not a sufficient amount of time for our geographical area.

Dr. Martel has specialized training in palliative care, is originally from the area, is established here and already has an excellent rapport with people in the community.

I have been a palliative care volunteer for over 30 years and have spent many hours with terminally ill patients and their families. To be welcomed into the home of a dying patient with the sound of laughter, the smell of fresh baking and a smile on the face of the patient speaks volumes for dying at home versus a hospital environment.

One patient I was assigned to at the hospital was given a very short time to live. Within a few weeks after he went home I visited him. Although he was bed ridden he was eating well and happy to be able to look out the window to see the flowers, birds, etc. He lived for two years.

Another patient I had was an elderly man dying in hospital. He often had tears in his eyes because he wanted to be at home. His spouse was not able to visit very often due to lack of transportation. With medical support he could have been at home. How sad is that?

Lack of oxygen and medical support for palliative patients at home will continue to be one of the reasons why our emergency departments and hospital beds are filled with people who could be dying comfortably at home with their loved ones. It doesn’t make any sense to keep patients in hospital versus paying for medical support and oxygen to keep them at home.

We have spent years trying to educate the public about palliative care, we finally have people who understand the benefits of palliative care, but now the service cannot be provided to all who want it. What is wrong with this picture?

It feels unfair that because we live in a rural area we may not have the option of dying at home. Dr. Martel was providing a service that is so badly needed and will become even more necessary as the population keeps aging in the Strait Area. Elaine Noseworthy Grantville