Story Posted: 2025-07-11
The Palliative Care Difference: SPH Palliative Care Unit
From the St. Paul’s Hospital and Foundation 2024-2025 Annual Review
As a clinical coordinator on St. Paul’s Hospital’s Palliative Care Unit, Traci Jickling’s role is about more than just medical tasks — it’s about enhancing patients’ comfort and quality of life. “Palliative care is focused on the person, not just the disease,” says Traci. “We manage symptoms like pain and nausea with treatments such as pain medications, but we also support emotional and psychological needs. The care is tailored to each individual’s journey, ensuring quality of life, even in the face of a terminal diagnosis. In contrast to traditional medical care, which focuses on healing or stabilizing patients, palliative care emphasizes comfort and dignity. It’s not about curing, but about making the most of the time left.”
When a patient receives a palliative diagnosis, the process begins with a consultation to explore care options. The Palliative Care Unit team provides guidance throughout, supporting patients whether they’re at home or in the Hospital. Initially, the team may take a background role as patients pursue medical treatments. If additional support is needed, the Palliative Home Care team steps in to help patients manage symptoms. If a patient’s condition worsens, they may be admitted to the Hospital or Palliative Care Unit for stabilization, focusing on comfort and symptom relief. Afterwards, patients may return home, move to long-term care or receive end-of-life care at the Palliative Care Unit or Hospice at Glengarda.
Alongside patient care, families receive support from clinical coordinators and social workers to navigate decisions, understand the patient’s wishes and access needed resources, ensuring no one faces this journey alone. The unit team is also supported through the generosity of our community, with St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation supporting important resources like new patient beds for each room, sleeper chairs for loved ones, a snack and beverage cart for visitors, and the unit’s recent kitchen renovation.
In 2024, SPH’s Palliative Care Unit cared for 433 people and their families. Traci explains that it’s a privilege to help people live as well as possible in their final days. It’s about providing comfort, dignity and love, leaving lasting memories for both patients and their families. As she concludes, “We just get to see so much love … and it’s just truly such an honour and privilege to be here on this unit, with the people who work here; it’s like a family. The people who come through the unit, they continue to live on in little pieces of us and hold on to our hearts. It’s just a really beautiful place to work.”