"They say society will be judged by how they look after the most vulnerable and certainly the dying are vulnerable."
That from Dr. Cornie Woelk, Medical Director of Palliative Care for Southern Health-Santé Sud since the late 1980's.
The Boundary Trails Health Centre took some time this week to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Palliative Care in the Pembina Valley, and the changing needs of the future.
"People who are dying are afraid to speak because they are afraid deep down that they won't get the care [they] need," Woelk says. "They are a vulnerable part of our society and the way we treat them is really important because it reflects on who we are. [At Boundary Trails] we are a people who care for each other."
Looking back, Woelk explains the Palliative Care program started as a grassroots project in the Pembina Valley.
"It started with Thelma Alexander," he says.
Alexander started the program in the Morden hospital and began tapping shoulders, like Dr. Woelk, to be a part of the first Palliative Care Committee.
Her initiative saw Bethel Hospital, three years later, approaching Anne Goertzen to spearhead the Winkler program in 1990.
Goertzen says getting volunteers to join the program was easy. Her heart for those that were sick and elderly guided the program to create opportunities for volunteers to become a source of comfort for families and patients going through difficult days.
"I've seen it grow so much, not only in volunteers but in the need for [Palliative Care]. I have found the program has come very far," she says. "When I was in it, our volunteers went way out in the country to visit and it never seemed like too much. I see that these volunteers still do the same thing. We have so many more Palliative Care rooms for people in the hospital now... people can come to the hospital and maybe stay longer."
Bonnie Gerbrandt is a Palliative Care Volunteer at BTHC, she received her training in 2002. She is involved in the Chemotherapy Department. Gerbrandt says she receives more blessings than she gives to others in the program, adding she's made so many friends and met so many families.
"It truly is an absolute blessing that we have this hospital in our area that covers the whole Palliative, Cancer, Chemo, the whole nine yards, other than radiation," Gerbrandt says. "It's just huge for the families that are going through the biggest struggles of their lives. "
Linda Pearce represents the RM of Pembina and the community of Manitou where she serves on the Boundary Trails Health Centre Foundation Board as Vice-Chair. The BTHC Foundation funds all the Palliative Care salaries.
"[The community is very appreciative] for the fact that there are volunteers that take up where families need to go home and have a break," Pearce says. "They offer support in a way that nobody else can do. I think communities really [have] come to rely on the Palliative Care Program - once they know it exists."
Funding for staffing increases is the biggest progression that she has seen in her six years served on the BTHC Foundation Board, without the staff to run the program and to organize the volunteers it wouldn't happen.
"We also fund the salary of the Ministerial position within the BTHC, so that's huge. That's a big part of Palliative Care as well."
Right now the Foundation is in the process of renovating another room into a Palliative Care room to meet the increasing need at BTHC.
Dr. Woelk dared to dream of a free-standing Hospice or a ward connected to BTHC that would offer a more home-based kind of care.
"We like to have people in their homes and that is what we strive for. [However], sometimes when they can't be in their home, then they come to the hospital where there are bells ringing and busyness and really what they need is... a place where they can be cared for."
Woelk recognizes that while there is community support for this, it is a long term goal and that the funds are not available at the present time.
Fri, Apr 19, 6:00 PM
Full-time, Term, Education
Featured
