Department of Medicine

Dalhousie University

Palliative Medicine

Updates

Our fiscal year runs from April 1 to March 31. Average wait time information is updated based on the following schedule:

Quarter Time frame Posted
Q1 Apr 1 – Jun 30 Jul 31
Q2 Jul 1 – Sep 30 Oct 31
Q3 Oct 1 – Dec 31 Jan 31
Q4 Jan 1 – Mar 31 Apr 30

Wait times, January-March 2025

Triage category Standard wait time Average wait time

Palliative Medicine
Urgent 2 days #N/A
Non-Urgent 14 days #N/A

#N/A - shown if less than six encounters

Triage criteria and referral process for physicians

Palliative Care Service
Urgent Consultation
Criteria (not all inclusive)
  • Pain/symptoms > 5/10 in severity
  • Patient/family could benefit from more intensive support at end of life, when death is imminent (< 7 days)
  • At the discretion of the referring health professional (requires contact with Palliative Care physician or nurse)
Process
1) PHONE Palliative Care team member
2) FAX referral
3) Minimum required information
  • Patient Name
  • Health Card Number
  • Date of Birth
  • Patient Address
  • Patient Phone Number
  • Diagnosis
  • Reason for Referral
  • Referring health professional contact information
Non-Urgent Enrollment
Criteria
1) Patient’s illness is such that death within twelve months would not be surprising,
AND
2) Patient’s primary physician agrees with referral and will actively participate in care,
AND
3) One or more of the following apply:
  • Patient requires end-of-life care
  • Patient could benefit from assessment and management of pain or other symptoms
  • Patient/family could benefit from home care services
  • Patient/family could benefit from assistance with decision-making regarding goals or treatments
  • Patient/family could benefit from psychosocial or spiritual support to enhance their ability to cope with the illness
Process
1) PHONE Palliative Care team member
2) FAX referral
3) Minimum required information
  • Patient Name
  • Health Card Number
  • Date of Birth
  • Patient Address
  • Patient Phone Number
  • Diagnosis
  • Reason for Referral
  • Referring health professional contact information

 

Contact information
Phone 902-473-3119
Fax 902-473-3103
Location Palliative Care Unit
7A Centennial Building, VG Site
Palliative Medicine Specialists View list of physicians

 

Learn more about our division
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View the Division of Palliative Medicine