In recognition of the growing need for the CSPCP to serve its members and to become even more proactive on the national scene, the CSPCP Board of Directors has decided to establish consistent operational support for the CSPCP’s virtual office!

We are excited to introduce Kim Taylor, our new part-time Executive Director, and to announce the ongoing appointment of Michelle Veer as the Society’s Administrative Assistant. Kim and Michelle will provide much-needed long-term stability and continuity for the Society, and support the Board, Committees, and the membership at large.

Kim Taylor is a business consultant who specializes in multi-stakeholder projects in health care. She developed a deep interest in palliative care after volunteering as a bereavement support group facilitator for a local non-profit group. Over the last five years she has provided strategic, business and operational support to numerous provincial and national palliative care organizations. Kim is based in Vancouver, BC.

Michelle Veer is a part-time Administrative Assistant with the Fraser Health Authority in Surrey, BC. She has worked in administration for the past 11 years, starting as a Unit Clerk in 2002 at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver, BC.

Letter from Dr. Doris Barwich, President, CSPCP

Dear Colleagues:

I am delighted to announce that, after many years, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada has officially approved the recognition of Palliative Medicine as a two-year subspecialty.

Preliminary information is as follows:

1. The subspecialty will have multiple entry routes although Internal Medicine, Anaesthesia, Neurology and Paediatrics are the base specialties.

2. Physicians from other specialties, including Family Medicine, who can demonstrate the necessary prerequisite competencies, will be allowed access to the subspecialty.

3. There will also be a practice-eligible route open to all physicians including Family Medicine.

4. There will be no grandfathering option.

A Working Group is being established by the Royal College to oversee the implementation, finalize the specialty specific documents (as well as documentation to support a Practice Eligible route) as well as the appointment of the Specialty Committee to oversee the subspecialty discipline. This Working Group, with representation from the Canadian Society of Palliative Care Physicians, will be co-chaired by Drs. Deb Dudgeon and Cori Schroder who have so ably led the Conjoint Advisory Committee (CACPM) to this point. The Conjoint Committee will also continue to supervise the one year conjoint program until the implementation of the new subspecialty is underway.
 
Read more