Sunrise Health plans workshops

In recognition of National Hospice Palliative Care week, Sunrise Health Region will host two public workshops with guest speaker Dr. Mark Miller.

Hospice palliative care is whole-person care that aims to relieve suffering for patients and their families, and improve the quality of living and dying for persons with progressive life-limiting illnesses.

Public workshops about "end-of-life care" will be held May 24, 2012, from 7:00-9:00 p.m. in Norquay at the Covenant Church and May 25, 2012, from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. in Yorkton at St. Gerard's Hall.

"The Regional Palliative Care Committee and the Ethics Committee of Sunrise Health Region are pleased to have Dr. Miller address issues in advance care planning, focusing on a holistic approach to end-of-life care," says Carol Stringfellow, manager of Palliative Care Services in Sunrise Health Region. "Some of the topics that will be addressed are "Advanced Directives", patients and family rights, and resources in our communities."

Dr. Miller is the author of books and numerous articles on bioethics and spent 16 years as a clinical bioethicist working at and out of St. Paul's Hospital in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Dr. Miller is currently the Provincial of the English-speaking Redemptorists of Canada and works with the Centre for Clinical Ethics at St. Joseph's and St. Michael's Hospitals in Toronto.

There will be no charge for these workshops. Public are asked to pre-register by calling 786-0463, and specify which evening they will be attending. Families are encouraged to attend.