A resolution supported by Mountain View County (MVC) urging more support for the province’s hospice societies, including in this district, was approved at the recent Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) convention.
Put forward by Clearwater County and seconded by MVC, the resolution calls for increased financial support for hospice care and hospice societies.
“The resolution recognizes the critical role that hospice societies play in providing compassionate end-of-life care,” MVC reeve Angela Aalbers told the Albertan. “Hospice services are essential for supporting individuals and their families during challenging times.
“The resolution underscores the need for a funding model that ensures the long-term viability of hospice societies, allowing them to continue their valuable work.”
MVC council had unanimously passed a motion seconding the Clearwater County resolution titled ‘Sustainable Community Hospice Fund Model’.
The resolution calls on the Alberta government to implement a sustainable operations funding model for the provision of hospice services by community hospice societies.
“There has been ongoing engagement from the government of Alberta regarding palliative end-of-life care, highlighting the importance of these supports and service to Albertans,” the resolution states. “The need to develop the capacity of these community services, especially in rural settings is clear.
“Correcting the disparity between funding available to patients who chose to receive palliative end-of-life care in-home versus in a hospice suite is an immediate solution that could address these challenges while the economic analysis of reallocating health care financial resources in accordance with the shift from hospital to community-based hospice care is completed.”
Reeve Aalbers said by championing the hospice resolution, Mountain View County and its RMA partners are “actively advocating for increased support for hospice societies, acknowledging the profound impact they have on our communities.”
Despite being very busy these days promoting the Alberta Pension Plan initiative, fighting the federal government at every turn, and launching a major overhaul of the province’s health-care system, Premier Danielle Smith and her colleagues should move promptly on this worthwhile call for improved hospice support.
Dan Singleton is an editor with the Albertan.
