What is An End of Life Care Coalition?
Every community has "pockets of excellence" where end of life care is exemplary. Many organizations and individuals are seeking ways to raise community-wide standards of education and service aimed at improving pain management, palliative care, advance care planning, public education and support for healthcare professionals helping patients and families with end of life issues.
Local end of life care coalitions provide a way to do that. Interest and momentum in building such coalitions across North Carolina has been great. In August of 1999 there were two formal local coalitions ? Greensboro and Wilmington. In May 2003 there were 50 communities in the Carolinas that had a community-based group working to improve end of life care in their area.
Each coalition is different, crafted to meet local needs. Most have a community education and outreach component. Many also sponsor educational and support programs for healthcare professionals. Some are fully funded with professional staff. Others are staffed totally by volunteers.
But the idea is the same everywhere: "Let's work together to make end of life care in our community as good as it can be." If you?d like to know what is happening in your area, call the local end of life care coalition leader closest to you and find out how to get involved. If there is no coalition close to you, call us to learn how you can start one in your area.
Who Do I Contact for More Information?
For more information concerning the End of Life Care Coalition, please contact:
- North Carolina
David Stone
President & CEO
Phone: (919) 459-5383
- South Carolina
Tamra West
Director of South Carolina Programs
Phone: (803) 791-4220