DRCC Palliative Care Service

Palliative care is a special kind of healthcare for individuals living with a life-limiting illness. The goal of palliative care is to provide comfort and dignity as well as the best quality of life.

You may be seen by a palliative care doctor or team because you have pain or other symptoms from your illness.

You may be given palliative care support at any time throughout your cancer journey. You may be given this care while you are at home or in the hospital.

Your family doctor or specialist can refer you to the Palliative Care Service at the Durham Regional Cancer Centre.

• If you are coming to the Durham Regional Cancer Centre, you may be given an appointment with the Palliative Care Service. You may be seen for an appointment at the cancer centre or by a telephone or video appointment.
• If you are in the hospital, you may be seen by a palliative care doctor from the Palliative Care Service.
• If you can’t leave your home for an appointment, a palliative care doctor from the Palliative Care Service may come to your home.

Helpful information

• Palliative Care Team – Green Team
• Palliative Care Team – Purple Team
• A video appointment with the Palliative Care Team
• How to complete the Your Symptoms Matter questionnaire
• How to manage your symptoms and side effects
• Last Days of Life: What to Expect

Making decisions about your future care

• What is advance care planning?
• Plan Well Guide
• My Choices for Safe and Inclusive Health Care (Canadian Virtual Hospice)
• Two-Spirit and LGBTQ+ resources

Supports and resources for caregivers

• Ontario Caregiver Organization
• Ontario Caregiver's Toolkit
• Ontario Caregiver Helpline

Medical Assistance in Dying

• Medical Assistance in Dying: Information for Patients (Government of Ontario)
• Understanding Medical Assistance in Dying (Lakeridge Health)

Websites with helpful information

• Canadian Virtual Hospice