Palliative Care concentrates on the quality of life for patients living with a life threatening illness. We offer holistic care, providing a team of health care professionals that work with patients and their families.  Relief of pain and other distressing problems is our first concern. We strive to provide patients and families with excellent nursing and clinical care within a calm, serene, ‘home-like’ environment.              

Our palliative care unit has 10 private rooms and 1 semi-private room, for a total of 12 beds. Although you may be placed in a specific room at first, please be aware that from time to time, patients may be moved because of changing clinical needs. In order to best serve the many patients at PMH, our unit is a “short stay” unit. We usually meet with the patient and family every week and, if appropriate, discuss plans of either returning home or transferring to a longer-term palliative care unit.

 To contact staff, you may call the unit directly at 416-946-2096; to contact a patient on the unit, please call 416-946-4501 and use the patient’s extension number.

 Health Care Team
There are five physicians who provide care to patients during their stay at the palliative care centre. As well, other physicians may be involved in your care, an interdisciplinary team of caregivers will provide service as requested or required. This means that your care team will include many professionals with different specialties: physicians, nurses, social workers, pharmacists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, discharge planners/home care coordinators (CCAC), speech language pathologists, chaplains, and volunteers (in the hospital or Home Hospice program).

 Visiting Hours and Policy
Visiting hours are unrestricted. Space at the palliative care centre is limited and our patients often tire easily and quickly; therefore we may ask that you limit the number of visitors where appropriate. You may be asked to leave a patient room while nursing staff provide necessary care.

Children are welcome to visit if they are supervised by an adult. Family members are welcome to stay overnight (1 per patient please). Who qualifies as a “family member” is decided by the patient. Please let nursing staff know if you will be staying overnight.

  Telephones
Cell phones are not to be used anywhere in the hospital.
There are telephones at the bedside. Dial 9 for an outside line. You can make a long distance call by dialing “0” for switchboard assistance.

 T.V./Entertainment
Television rental is available at the bedside through an outside company.  Order forms are available at the palliative care centre, and the company representatives attend twice daily to arrange service.  A larger screen television is available in the family room for video viewing.  Please see a staff member for availability of equipment. Each room is equipped with a CD player.

 Things to Bring from Home
You might want to bring your own personal care items from home: daytime clothing, pajamas, slippers, soap or shower gel, deodorant, skin care lotion, powder, toothbrush and toothpaste, brush and/or comb, nail file and/or nail clippers, razor, shampoo, facial tissues, pillows, comforter/blanket, small items such as pictures, music CDs, and anything that will help make you more comfortable.