A new palliative care program specialist has been announced for Manitoba.

Health Minister Kelvin Goertzen says this specialist will lead the development, coordination and delivery of palliative care education to health care providers and volunteers across the province.

"One of the challenges that we have in palliative care is that it is really spotty in terms of its service in Manitoba," explains Goertzen.

He notes there are programs that exist in Southern Health-Santé Sud and Prairie Mountain Health, but many other parts of the province offer sub-standard palliative care.

Goertzen says the specialist will be housed in Southern Health-Santé Sud, though provide services across the province.

"I'm glad that Southern Health has agreed to essentially house that person," says Goertzen. "Because there is a good history and there's a good number of people within our region I think who have a great passion and a heart for palliative care."

The specialist's work will include assessing the need for educational materials including reviewing current materials and resources, determining current gaps and challenges and looking closely at needs in northern and rural Manitoba. The specialist will also create templates and/or appropriate learning materials and course work. This individual will work with regional health authorities to share information about available resources and coordinate training sessions for health care providers. And, the specialist will coordinate virtual educational workshops across the province.

"Southern Health-Santé Sud is pleased to be working with the provincial Palliative Care program," says Kathy McPhail, Chief Executive Officer for Southern Health-Santé Sud. "Recognizing that there are many facets of a patient's care journey, the delivery of palliative care education to health care providers and volunteers is of such vital importance to help lessen the inevitable stresses that occur during life's final journey."

Goertzen notes there has been a lot of discussion around medical assistance in dying. But he says the other side is that there are many people who are living their last days who just want to have dignity and be pain free. He adds there needs to be a palliative care system that is more responsive to this.

The name of the specialist has not yet been announced, though Goertzen says he expects the individual will be in place before the end of the year.