Supported by a health funding contribution agreement from Health Canada, the project builds on “The Way Forward: An Integrated Palliative Approach to Care”. Using a collaborative engagement approach, we are identifying gaps and opportunities for operational process improvement in home-based palliative care, focusing on four specific areas:

•  Translating advance care plans and health care wishes into the planning and delivery of services in the home
• Early and ongoing identification of the needs and strengths of patients and caregivers and ways to incorporate assessment results into shared care plans
• Strategies and methods to ensure effective and efficient communication, shared decision-making and care coordination
• Processes to ensure timely access to, efficient management of and safe disposal of equipment, supplies and medications in the home

An advisory group provides expertise and guidance on the project’s activities. Throughout the two-year project we will be reaching out to and engaging with frontline home care provider organizations, administrative bodies (regional health authorities), policy makers, patients, caregivers, primary health care teams (involved in home-based palliative care) and specialty palliative care teams. We encourage NGOs involved in palliative care education and training to attend events and learn from project participants. We are involving cultural groups and groups representing LGBTQ communities through direct consultations.