Palliative Care

A palliative approach to care helps patients manage pain and symptoms associated with chronic, life limiting illness and patients who are at the end of life.

Did you know that palliative care treats people with serious illness of any age and any stage and not just at end of life? Palliative care can:

• Improve quality of life.
• Reduce or relieve symptoms.
• Help you make important decisions.
• Provide support to you and your loved ones throughout your illness, from the time of diagnosis.

Palliative Care at Bruyère Health

Virtual orientation

The William and Maureen Shenkman Palliative Care Unit

The William and Maureen Shenkman Palliative Care Unit is here for people who need inpatient care and is there to support their loved ones as well. People may be referred for a short period of time with the goal of returning to the community or they may be referred to end-of-life care. In both cases, our team works to manage pain and symptoms and support people in their understanding of their illness. While at Bruyère Health, people receiving palliative care benefit from access to complex care expertise and supports.

Learn more about complex care at Bruyère Health.

As an academic palliative care team Bruyère Health is leading research and educational programs that will enhance the experience of our patients and their loved ones and advance care in the field.  

If a person no longer needs the palliative or complex care provided at Bruyère Health, the care team will begin working on a discharge plan to home or to another care facility that will best meet the needs of that person.

We work closely with those we care for and their loved ones to provide care that respects a diversity of cultures and beliefs.  

Find out more about admission criteria and referral process for Hospice Palliative care in Ottawa. 

More questions? Read our FAQ document. 

Regional Palliative Consultation Team

The Regional Palliative Consultation Team is a partnership between Bruyère Health and Ontario Health atHome that supports family physicians and primary health care teams that care for palliative patients in the community. This includes care offered at home, retirement homes, long-term care facilities and community hospitals.

For more information, contact

Champlain Hospice Palliative Care Program

The Champlain Hospice Palliative Care Program, hosted by Bruyère Health, provides support and education to health care providers and organizations to improve access to high-quality hospice palliative care in the Champlain region of Eastern Ontario. Their education sessions have reached thousands of people on topics such as advance care planning, grief, practical caregiver training and self-care. 

For more information, contact

Clinical Admissions Coordinator
Tel.: (613) 562-6262, ext. 1688