The community Hospice Palliative Care Team (HPCT) is a group of health care providers who deliver integrated, multi-disciplinary, hospice palliative care to clients in their homes and/or in consultation with other health care providers.

Roles of the Hospice Palliative Care Team

• It is a community-based program providing hospice palliative care services in the last 12 months of life.
• Assists in building primary care capacity by coordination of joint home visits by a member of the team with the most responsible practitioner.
• Manages the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of clients and families, in their home, in consultation with other health care providers.
• 24/7 contact with palliative care nurse for those patients followed solely by our Team.
• Provides education and additional support services to enable clients to live and die in the location of their choice.
• Ensures seamless transition to Hospice based on client’s choice.
• Provides grief & bereavement support, through one-on-one interactions, and discussion/support groups.
• Makes referrals to the Visiting Hospice Service to ensure volunteer support for your family.

Who can be referred to the HPCT?

• Clients with a life limiting illness that have a prognosis of 12 months or less.

HPCT Referral and Admission Process

Referrals are accepted from:

• Primary Care Physicians
• Nurse Practitioner Clinics
• Home and Community Care Nurse Practitioners and Care Coordinators
• Long-Term Care & Nursing Providers
• North East Cancer Center Symptom Management Clinic (NECC SMC)
• A self-referral will trigger a call to the Most Responsible Physician to discuss the integrated role of the HPCT