Land Acknowledgement

We would like to acknowledge that the land which we are gathered on today is the traditional territory of the Anishinabek Nation; specifically, the Chippewa Tri – Council comprised of the Chippewas of Beausoleil, Rama and Georgina Island First Nations and more recently the Mississaugas of the Credit River First Nation.

Ontario is covered by 46 treaties and other agreements and is home to many Indigenous Nations from across Turtle Island, including the Inuit and the Métis. These treaties and other agreements, including the One Dish with One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant, are agreements to peaceably share and care for the land and its resources. Other Indigenous Nations, Europeans, and newcomers were invited into this covenant in the spirit of respect, peace, and friendship.

Most of us have come here as settlers, immigrants, or newcomers in this generation or generations past.

We are all Treaty people.  Every day we are mindful of broken covenants, and we strive to make this right. We commit to collaborating based on the foundational assumption that Indigenous Peoples have the power, strength, and competency to develop culturally specific strategies for their communities.  We are dedicated to honouring Indigenous self-determination, history, and culture, and are committed to moving forward in the spirit of reconciliation and respect with all First Nation, Métis and Inuit people.

The North Simcoe Muskoka Hospice Palliative Care Network (NSMHPCN) provides a dedicated, compassionate, holistic palliative approach to care for all. NSMHPCN supports the provision of exceptional hospice palliative care and end-of-life care through partnerships, innovative programs and knowledge exchange.

 

 

We Are Here to Help Hospice Palliative Care Support:

Our mission at the North Simcoe Muskoka Hospice Palliative Care Network (NSMHPCN) is to support the provision of exceptional hospice palliative care and end-of-life care through partnerships, innovative programs and knowledge exchange. We envision a community where the experience of hospice palliative care and end-of-life care honours each individual and their choices. We believe that with our aging population, this work has never been more important than it is today.

Monthly Hot Tips

Palliative Care for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

The palliative care needs of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities share the same fundamental goals as those of the general population: the desire for a death free from pain and discomfort, the opportunity to spend time with loved ones, and the importance of having their personal preferences and decisions honoured when it comes to their care and treatment.

While these core needs are consistent across all individuals, those with intellectual and developmental disabilities often encounter specific and unique issues that can make it significantly more challenging to meet these needs effectively. These challenges may include difficulties with communication, which can affect every aspect of palliative care, as well as struggles with insight and the ability to participate in decision-making processes.

Additionally, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities might express signs and symptoms of illness and distress in unconventional ways, face multiple co-existing medical conditions, experience complex family and social dynamics, and deal with higher levels of behavioural or psychiatric issues. As a result, addressing their palliative care needs requires tailored approaches and heightened attention to these unique factors.

Tree of knowledge

EDUCATION

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SUPPORT for
Patients and Families

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ADVANCED CARE PLANNING

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SUPPORT for
Healthcare Professionals

Grief & Bereavement Resources

RECENT NEWS

‘Uplifting interactive adventure’: Death Café comes to MacLaren Art Centre in Barrie

The words ‘uplifting’ and ‘interactive’ might not be what first comes to mind when thinking about a Death Café, but that’s just what presenters Kathlene Bartlett and Julie Leighton-Phelps have in mind. Read more…

Annual Report Provides Snapshot of Local Hospice Network:

The North Simcoe Muskoka Hospice Palliative Care Network (NSMHPCN) recently published its 2022-2023 Annual Report. Read more…

Hospice Group Opens Nominations for Brenda Smith Leadership Award!

Nominations open until Sept. 22 for award that celebrates ‘outstanding individuals who have shown exceptional commitment, vision, and impact in hospice palliative care’ Read more…

NSMHPCN recognized as a Canadian Compassionate Company!

We are honored to become a Canadian Compassionate Company. Our dedicated team, their families and communities are of the utmost importance to us. Read more…

NSMHPCN is Excited to be a Hub Partner for the Palliative Care ECHO Project!

The Palliative Care ECHO Project is a 5-year national initiative to cultivate communities of practice and establish continuous professional development among health care providers across Canada who care for patients with life-limiting illness. We’re dedicated to supporting a continuous learning journey for health care professionals to build local capacity to provide a palliative care approach to patients and their families.

Read more…

NSMHPCN is Proud to be a Member of the NSM CSSN

The community support services (CSS) agencies that make up the Network share guiding principles to work with other health care and community partners and planners to coordinate and integrate our local health care system to ensure access to the right service at the right time in the right place to support the needs of individuals with ongoing community support needs and their families in North Simcoe Muskoka.

Read more…

Educational Offerings

The North Simcoe Muskoka Hospice Palliative Care Network is committed to the development of quality hospice palliative care wherever the client chooses to live and die. To support health care providers, we offer a variety of conferences, courses, workshops and presentations in communities across North Simcoe Muskoka. Read more…