Palliative Care

Information for health care professionals

There are two main components to Palliative Care (PC) Program services:  consultation services and registration with the overall program. Health care providers are often unsure if they need a consultation or a referral for registration with the PC Program for the patient in their care.  Here is a brief description of the criteria and services available for both components.

Consultation Services

Expertise in symptom management is a hallmark of palliative care. Our consultants are available to provide assistance with end-of-life symptom management to health care professionals throughout the WRHA.  

Consultation services can be accessed without registration with the overall program. Patients are eligible if they have a life limiting illness and are experiencing distressing symptoms (e.g. nausea, pain, psychosocial or spiritual distress).

Consultations with a Palliative Care Physician require a referral from a physician. Consultations with a Palliative Care Clinical Nurse Specialist can be requested by a physician or a nurse.

Registration with the Palliative Care Program

A patient is eligible to be registered on the PC program if he/she:

• Has an illness that is likely to take his/her life in the next six months
• Is referred by a physician or nurse practitioner
• Is no longer receiving aggressive disease-focused treatment (most often this is chemotherapy) requiring monitoring for and treatment of potentially serious complications
• Has chosen a comfort-focused approach including a decision to decline attempted resuscitation.

In addition to the consultative services listed above, registration with the PC Program provides access to other community-based care and services, including care coordination by a Palliative Care Coordinator (Nurse)

Accessing Services

For Consults

Please fax or call the patient information and clinical question to the numbers listed below

For Referrals

Please complete these forms for patients who are being referred for registration with the WRHA Palliative Care Program.

Palliative Care Program Referral Form

Manitoba Palliative Care Drug Access Program Form

Please forward your consult or referral to us at:

Phone: 237-2400
Fax: 237-9162

Other Palliative Care Information

The Canadian Virtual Hospice website is staffed by palliative care professionals from the WRHA Palliative Care Program. It contains many useful articles with general information for health care professionals, patients, and family or friends regarding managing symptoms at the end of life. Click here to visit the Canadian Virtual Hospice website and access these articles.