Palliative care unit at Vancouver General Hospital
- 899 West 12th Avenue Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9
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- (604) 875-4111 ext. 54715
- Fax: (604) 875-4589
Palliative care is offered holistically throughout Vancouver General Hospital by various team members. The VGH Palliative Care Unit (PCU) is a 9-bed unit offering acute supportive and palliative care for people with life-limiting illnesses.
Patients admitted to VGH PCU receive daily follow-ups by a palliative physician to manage their symptoms and palliative team assessment to collaborate with patients and families toward a suitable discharge.
How to access
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Request for a palliative consult
Let your primary care team know if you are interested in a consult with the Palliative Care Team. They will explore whether palliative care is appropriate for you.
Your most responsible physician may request a palliative consult if you are in another unit of the hospital and need a palliative approach to care for complex symptom management and psychosocial care.
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Receive an assessment
A Palliative Physician and/or Palliative Care Resource Nurse will meet you in your current unit and conduct an assessment. The palliative care team will work with you to support you in your current unit and collaborate with your care team.
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Transfer to the Palliative Care Unit
If you need specialized palliative care, then your team will make arrangements to transfer you to the PCU once a bed is available.
Hours of operation
We operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
How to get there
The VGH Palliative Care Unit (PCU) at Vancouver General Hospital is on the 14th floor of Jim Pattison Pavilion in unit T14L. The hospital’s main entrance is open from 5:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
If you are visiting outside these hours, you may enter through the Emergency Department entrance at 920 10th Ave W.
Visiting
If you plan to visit a loved one in the PCU, please call beforehand to determine the best time and what you should do when you arrive.
Admissions
When you arrive, the nursing staff and other available team members will welcome you, show you to your room and orient you and your family to the PCU.
Accommodations in the Palliative Care Unit
The PCU has five private rooms and two shared rooms. All patient rooms have bathrooms. The care team assigns patients private rooms based on clinical judgement in collaboration with patients and families.
Entrance
Room
Garden
Art from the Art Cart
Amenities
Each bedside includes access to cable TV, a telephone, and a whiteboard that you can personalize to help your healthcare team get to know you better.
There is also a free wireless network in case you would like to connect your own devices to the internet. Each patient room has a mini-fridge to store personal food and beverage items.
Patients and families/caregivers in the PCU have access to an adjacent outdoor garden space. Virtual and/or in-person language translation services are available as needed. Lastly, ask a member of your healthcare team about the “Art Cart,” where you can select a piece of artwork to personalize your space while you’re staying in the PCU.
Team members
The PCU has many different team members who work together to provide specialized care for all our patients and their caregivers/family members, including:
- Palliative physicians
- Palliative nurses
- Social workers
- Occupational therapist
- Music therapist
- Spiritual care Practitioner
- Volunteers
- Discharge planning specialists such as the Transition Services Team and Care Management Leader
- Patient Care Coordinator and Charge Nurse
- Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Palliative Care Resource Nurses
- Access to a Dietitian, Pharmacist, and Physiotherapist when needed.
What you should bring to the Palliative Care Unit
When you are admitted to the PCU, we recommend that you bring:
- A list of your current medications
- Your dentures, glasses, hearing aids (if applicable)
- Any mobility aids that you use at home (if applicable). If you need a mobility aid and do not have one with you, the PCU has an available supply.
- You can bring your own clothes, non-slip comfortable footwear, and toiletries. If you forget to bring your personal care items, the SPCU can provide basic care items.
- Refrain from bringing valuables that might be misplaced or lost during your stay in the hospital.
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served on the PCU via our food services team at approximately 9 a.m., 1 p.m., and 6 p.m.
If you are unable to eat right away when meals are served, there is a microwave available. You are also welcome to bring your own food from home and store it in the patient fridge.
Vancouver General Hospital (VGH)
Vancouver General Hospital (VGH) offers specialized health-care services to residents in Vancouver and across the province through regional programs. We provide a full range of basic and highly specialized emergency health-care and trauma services to British Columbia.