Toronto Grace Health Centre

Programs & Services
Referring Partners
Palliative Care Program

The Palliative Care Program integrates the physical, psychological and spiritual aspects of care, offering patients a support system that enables them to live as actively as possible until the end. Here, we emphasize relief from pain and other distressing symptoms. Our services include a support system that helps patients and their families understand and manage the experiences, emotions and challenges associated with dying and bereavement.

The program offers:

respite care

short-term admissions for symptom control

community follow-up by a Palliative Care Community Physician

back-up admission process for rapid community admissions as per patients needs/requests

same day crisis admissions from community and acute care

Admission Criteria

Adults, 18 years and older

Patients with cancer, end-stage diseases (ALS) and end-stage organ failure who require expert palliative care in the last three to six months of their lives.

Patients who require holistic, interprofessional care including physical, social cultural and spiritual supports.

Admission applications are accepted from acute care, rehabilitation, long-term care, community programs and primary care practitioners/teams.

Patients care needs may include non-ventilated tracheostomy care, ostomy care pain and symptom management and wound management.

Community Palliative Care
Toronto Grace offers a Palliative Care Physician Program in the community. Physicians visit patients at home on a regular basis to check medications, ensure pain management and provide overall care and comfort. Referrals to community palliative care services and/or admission to TGHC Palliative Care Program can be made by the Physician Team.

Inpatient Contact Information:
Palliative Care Program, 6th Floor
Phone: 416-925-2251 ext 261
Admitting fax: 416-925-3211

Marilyn Wharton
Executive Director, Patient Care, Ext.219

Community Palliative Care Contact Information:

Michelle McDonell
Admitting Coordinator, ext. 230

Jodi Zaltz-Dubin
Social Worker, ext. 203