The Palliative Advocacy and Care Team (PACT) program in Thunder Bay, Ontario helps homeless people dealing with life-limiting illnesses access healthcare. The outreach program is led by Hospice Northwest and NorWest Community Health Centres (NWCHC) in partnership with several other organizations.

PACT was formed in 2019 after a needs assessment by Dilico Anishinabek Family Care identified gaps in palliative care for vulnerable populations. This inspired local organizations to come together and support those struggling to access end-of-life care. The PACT team team provides assistance wherever it’s needed, from cancer clinics to tent encampments, helping vulnerable individuals connect with medical care and social services.

PACT receives funding from NWCHC as well as Healthcare Excellence Canada, a non-profit charity primarily funded by Health Canada. They currently help between 35 and 40 clients. However, the funding from Healthcare Excellence Canada is expected to end soon, which means the team is seeking alternative options to keep the program going, with hopes of expanding it further.

Thunder Bay has at least 550 people experiencing homelessness, according to a recent count. Among them, 37% have a medical condition, and over half have faced discrimination in health care. Donna Jeanpierre, Executive Director of Hospice Northwest in Thunder Bay, hopes to expand the PACT program with more staff, including a nurse practitioner and a coordinator, to better support those without phones or fixed addresses.

Source: CBC