The Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital (The Neuro) is pleased to announce the launch of a new clinical program designed to ease the suffering of seriously ill patients through specialized consultation and comprehensive care. The Susan Cameron Cook Neuro-Palliative Care Program, named in honour of Susan Cameron Cook, whose family provided vital seed funding for the program, has been designed with the goal of reducing the mental and physical suffering of neurological patients and their families in the journey from diagnosis of a terminal illness to end of life.
Our goal is to reduce the mental and physical suffering of neurological patients and their families in the journey from diagnosis of a terminal illness to end of life.
Patients with terminal neurological diseases typically live longer than those with other terminal illnesses - up to five years or more. They are also younger than the average terminally ill patient. The Susan Cameron Cook Neuro-Palliative Care Program will meet the unique needs of those suffering from terminal neurological disease, including brain tumor, Alzheimer’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and progressive multiple sclerosis. By providing one point of contact for patients and their families to navigate the healthcare system, the Susan Cameron Cook Neuro-Palliative Care Program will reduce their stress and frustration. Patients will be assigned a neurologist or neurosurgeon with palliative care training, who will lead a multidisciplinary team including psychologists, physical therapists, social workers and nutritionists to ensure all patient needs are met.
Why The Neuro?
Current practice of end of life care doesn't fit well with neurological diseases. Our Neuro-Palliative Care model strives to ease suffering throughout the disease.
The Neuro is uniquely positioned to have a significant impact on neuro-palliative care locally and internationally:
- Record of innovation: patient population whose needs are not being met
- Setting standard of care and disseminate to community
- Long-standing reputation of excellence – new interdisciplinary research in this field will help position program in national and international forums
- Expertise exists, elevate by formalization and evaluation
Bringing neuro-palliative care to Canada’s patients:
- Innovative model that will be the first in Canada
- First fellowship-trained neuro-palliative care professional in Canada
- First centre in Quebec to offer this program to patients
Clinical Leadership
Dr. Jeffery Hall
- Completed a clinical fellowship in Palliative Care at McGill University and spent three (3) months in Lausanne, Switzerland training under pioneering palliative care physician, Dr. Gian Domenico Borasio.
- Identified as incoming Director of Neuro-Palliative/Supportive Care Program.
Justine Gauthier
- Nurse clinician formerly working with The Neuro’s Brain Tumour program.
- Identified and hired as nurse clinician for Neuro-Palliative/Supportive Care Program.
The care of patients with neurological disease is increasingly important. One in three Canadians will suffer from neurological disease or injury in their lifetimes. In Quebec alone, 2.6 million people are affected.
