Palliative Care Referrals

Please see our referral criteria to make a referral to Palliative Care.

The Temmy Latner Centre referral details

Palliative care in the home

We accept referrals from physicians.

Our service area covers much of Central Toronto and North York. For palliative care options in other areas, please visit the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association's directory of services.

If a patient’s needs are not palliative or are best managed by another program, we may refer you to other services that provide home visits.

To refer a patient to our Palliative Care at Home program, please submit this referral form via fax to 416-586-4804.

To ensure your patient gets seen in a timely fashion, please:

Fully complete all sections of the referral form
Include copies of all relevant medical notes and test results

If you have any questions about making a referral or require an urgent referral, please email [email protected] or call 416-586-4800 ext. 7884. Please do not include any identifying information about your patient in email unless you have consent.

In-hospital palliative care at Mount Sinai Hospital

This is an internal service. Inpatients may self-refer or be referred by a member of the health-care team at Mount Sinai.

Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital referral details

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How to refer to the Palliative Care Unit

We accept referrals from physicians.

To refer a patient to the Hennick Bridgepoint Palliative Care Unit, use the Strata Pathways Resource Matching and Referral system (RM&R)

Complete referral information assists in timely review and response to a referral. Please include the following information:

Prognosis and Palliative Performance Scale (PPS)
Patient’s current symptom initial palliative care consult
Recent palliative care consult notes
Recent medication list
Relevant diagnostics, if available
Nursing notes or care plan for indicated symptoms or needs (i.e. nutritional intake, behavioural needs, care needs)
Other relevant clinician documentation

Palliative Care Unit referral criteria

Patients must meet the following criteria for a referral:

Diagnosis of a progressive life-limiting illness such as but not limited to:

Metastatic cancers
End stage renal disease
End stage cardiac or lung conditions
Dementia with limited oral intake and decreased level of function

Palliative performance scale score of 50 per cent or less
Need for short-term symptom management which can be requested at any point in life-limiting illness trajectory

On average, patients have an expected prognosis of less than 3 months. We know that prognosis varies based on complex factors, and therefore, patients with a prognosis of 3-6 months will also be considered on case by case basis.

Important considerations include the following:

On the application, documentation will need to confirm that the patient or SDM(s) is in agreement to a conservative medical approach focusing on symptom management, comfort and improving quality of life.
A DNR order will also be confirmed, if not already in place, during their admission to our PCU as are unit is not set up for resuscitation efforts on site.

The Palliative care unit may consider discharges to the community if the interdisciplinary team feels that the care needs of the individual no longer require a hospital and if the patient’s care needs can be met in a community-based setting. If this occurs, the PCU team will explore and work with patients and care partners to identify the most appropriate care location.

Frequently asked questions

What is unique about the palliative care service at Hennick Bridgepoint?

Our hospital offers a comprehensive and holistic approach to care, addressing not only the physical aspects of the illness but also the emotional, social and spiritual needs of patients. We will help patients and caregivers maintain their autonomy and quality of life.

Our clinical team is comprised of palliative care physicians, nurses, a social worker, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, physiotherapist/occupational therapist assistant, spiritual care, speech language therapist, recreation therapist and a group of support staff.

What is the typical time from referral to bed offer if the patient is eligible?

New referrals are reviewed Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm. Referrals that have all the required information can be reviewed quickly and a decision will usually be communicated back to the referrer within one to two hours. If information is needed, or if there are special care needs, more time may be required to make the decision.

Bed availability changes frequently and therefore patients who are accepted are generally able to transfer to a bed within a time frame of 1 to 7 days.

Does co-payment apply for patients admitted to the palliative care unit?

Co-payment does not apply for patients admitted under the palliative service with palliative needs. If a patient’s condition stabilizes, the patient no longer requires inpatient palliative care and long-term care is being explored, then patients are assessed for eligibility for co-payment.

What care needs cannot be accommodated?

We cannot accommodate the following care needs:
Hemodialysis
Cuffed tracheostomy
Suctioning more than every 3-4 hours
Untreated or unmanaged psychiatric illness
TPN
CPAP/BIPAP for conditions other than obstructive sleep apnea
Cough assist devices

Patients who require ongoing constant observation (sitter) will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis due to resource requirements.

If the patient is admitted to HBH PCU, what items can be brought to the hospital?

We encourage picture frames, a few pieces of clothing or other small items of personal significance. We please ask that large furniture be left at home as each room is equipped with a bed, bedside table and night table.

What are your visiting hours?

Sinai Health embraces the presence of caregivers and visits are guided by our visitor policy (Mount Sinai and Hennick Bridgepoint).

Is it possible to get Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD)?

Yes, it is possible to get Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) at HBH.