Lakeridge Health Recognized Nationally for Advancing Patient-Centred Palliative Care

Lakeridge Health has been recognized by Healthcare Excellence Canada (HEC) for its innovative approach to delivering compassionate, high-quality care closer to home for palliative patients in Durham Region. 

Through HEC’s Right Care Challenge, Lakeridge Health was selected to receive the Innovation Plan II Award and additional awards, totaling $10,500, to support the development and expansion of the Home Palliative Paracentesis Program – a physician-led initiative that reduces unnecessary hospital visits while improving comfort and quality of life for patients with advanced illness. 

Delivering the Right Care, at the Right Time, in the Right Place 

The Right Care Challenge is a national quality improvement initiative led by Healthcare Excellence Canada, an independent not-for-profit organization funded primarily by Health Canada. The program supports health-care teams across the country in implementing solutions that ensure patients receive appropriate, evidence-based care when and where it is needed most. 

“Being recognized through the Right Care Challenge reinforces the value of designing programs around what truly matters to patients,” said Dr. Vance Tran, Palliative Care Physician and Medical Lead of the Home Palliative Paracentesis Program at Lakeridge Health. “For many of our patients, avoiding a hospital visit is not just a convenience – it’s essential to preserving quality of life and minimizing the physical and emotional burden of repeated transfers.” 

Addressing a Critical Gap in Care 

In Durham Region, approximately 900 palliative patients are supported annually through the Durham Regional Cancer Centre (DRCC). Many experience ascites, a condition that causes abdominal swelling, pain, and shortness of breath. While paracentesis provides immediate symptom relief, no community-based paracentesis service previously existed in Durham Region, and the procedure was only available in hospital settings such as the emergency department or the Rapid Response Oncology Clinic. 

Each month, dozens of patients were travelling to hospital solely for this procedure, placing additional strain on emergency departments and other acute-care services. 

“For patients with advanced illness, repeated hospital transfers can be exhausting and often run counter to their goals of care,” said Dr. Aynharan Sinnarajah, Division Head of Palliative Care at Lakeridge Health. “We saw a clear opportunity to better align care with patients’ wishes by offering a safe, effective procedure in the home environment.” 

Bringing Compassionate Care Home 

Launched in May 2024, the Lakeridge Health Home Palliative Paracentesis Program brings this essential procedure directly into patients’ homes using point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS). The clinically led service is designed for homebound palliative patients who can safely receive care outside of hospital. 

“This program allows us to deliver patient-centered care that prioritizes comfort and dignity,” said Dr. Tran. “It’s a good example of how innovation doesn’t always mean new technology but rather rethinking where and how care is delivered.” 

The initiative is supported by four POCUS machines, Apple iPads and Air Tags, all generously funded by donations through Lakeridge Health Foundation’s Our Cancer Campaign – which was completed in 2024 and raised more than $21 million for cancer care throughout Durham Region and beyond. 

The interdisciplinary team includes nine palliative care physicians trained in POCUS, along with support from the Ontario Health at Home team. 

“These awards reflect the strength of collaboration across our clinical teams and our commitment to quality improvement,” noted Colleen Wilkinson, Director, Specialty Medicine at Lakeridge Health. “What’s more, the Home Palliative Paracentesis Program is a clear example of how Lakeridge Health is leading system change – improving the patient experience while responsibly using health-care resources.” 

Learn more about Lakeridge Health’s Palliative Care Program on our website.