RMA is releasing a new report on hospice and end-of-life care in rural Alberta. The report calls on the Government of Alberta to implement a sustainable hospice funding model to improve end-of-life care for rural Albertans.
Members voted in support of Resolution 17-23F: Sustainable Community Hospice Funding Model. The resolution and RMA’s new report, End-of-Life Care in Rural Alberta: The Case for a Sustainable Community Hospice Funding Model, calls on the Government of Alberta to implement a sustainable funding model for community hospice societies across the province. The report provides an overview of how end-of-life and hospice care are organized and funded, and compares and contrasts access to end-of-life care in rural Alberta to care available in Edmonton and Calgary.
Key report findings include:
- Most community hospice societies are currently funded through donations, grants, and clinical funding agreements with AHS. Primary expenses include payroll, fundraising, clinical care costs, and administration.
- Over 79% of hospice beds are located in Edmonton and Calgary. Rural Alberta has fewer hospice and palliative care beds per 100,000 people than Edmonton or Calgary.
- Rural Alberta is ageing more quickly and has higher mortality rates.
- Rural Alberta has a lower density and less access to specialized of end-of- life services.
RMA’s position on hospice and end-of-life care is that rural Albertans should not have to compromise or decide between leaving their community to access all available and specialized end-of-life care services in their home community without the same support.
The report concludes with three sets of recommendations around:
- Improving hospice in rural Alberta
- Principles to guide the development of a sustainable community hospice funding model jointly determined with ABmunis and the Alberta Hospice Palliative Care Association
- Building a sustainable community hospice society funding model
RMA recommends that the Government of Alberta work with RMA and other stakeholders to develop and implement a sustainable community hospice funding model that adequately funds clinical hospice care and grief and bereavement programs, carefully considers key principles and flexibility in light of changing population needs, and offers financial transparency and accountability.
Ashley Hadley
Policy & Research Analyst
825.319.2284
ashley@RMAlberta.com
Wyatt Skovron
General Manager of Policy & Advocacy
780.955.4096
wyatt@RMAlberta.com