Palliative care unit at Lions Gate Hospital
- 231 East 15th Street, Floor 7-West North Vancouver, BC V7L 2L7
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- LGH Main: (604) 988-3131
- 7-West Program Assistant: (604) 984-3743
- Fax: (604) 984-3798
The Palliative Care Unit (PCU), located on Floor 7-West (7W), is a 15-bed acute care unit in Lions Gate Hospital (LGH). Admission to 7W is for acute medical and symptom management, with the goal to stabilize the issue (e.g. pain control) and support you to return to your home with community supports. Sometimes, your care will be provided on another hospital floor, and the Palliative Care On-Call Doctor will work with your attending doctor to support you.
How to access
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Receive an assessment
If in Lions Gate Hospital, a palliative physician may meet you in your current unit and complete an assessment.
Let your care team know if you would like a palliative care consult.
Access to the PCU is often facilitated through the Emergency Room, dependent on bed availability.
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Transfer to the palliative care unit
If you are requiring specialized palliative care, then arrangements may be made with the unit’s Patient Care Coordinator to transfer you to the PCU once a bed is available.
Hours of operation
Talk to the unit before visiting to determine the best time and what you should do when you arrive.
How to get here
LGH is located at 231 East 15th Street in North Vancouver. Once you arrive at the hospital, take the acute tower elevator to Floor 7 and follow the signs to 7-West. If unsure where to go, ask the information desk in the 15th street entrance lobby.
Paid visitor parking is available in the hospital parkade on 15th Street, east of St. Georges Avenue.
For detailed information regarding parking, public transit and wheelchair accessibility, please review the LGH Patient & Family Handbook.
Download parking rates for VCH facilities
Inside LGH Palliative Care Unit
The PCU has 3 private rooms with private bathrooms and 4 shared rooms – all rooms have windows. There are instances when a patient is provided with a private room due to infection control, safety and/or medical needs. Lions Gate Hospital is wheelchair accessible.
Typical patient room
Typical patient bathroom
Nursing station
Hallway
Kitchen
Team members
The PCU has a team of healthcare professionals, including Palliative Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Nurses, Social Workers, Dietitians, Occupational and Physiotherapists, Spiritual Care Practitioners, Music Therapists, Volunteers, and Indigenous Patient Navigators based on availability and need.
Amenitities
There is a free wireless network available for your own devices, ask a staff member for login details if you would like to connect to the network. Speak to a staff member if you would like to rent a TV. Phones are available (bring your cell phone if able).
What to bring to the Palliative Care Unit
When you are admitted to the PCU, it is recommended that you bring the following items with you:
- Any current medications and a list of them.
- Your dentures, glasses, hearing aids, cell phone/charger (if applicable), and footwear.
- Your own clothes and toiletries, if you prefer. If you don't have your personal care items, the PCU can provide basic care items.
- Personal wheelchair or walker, if applicable. If you don't have one, the PCU can lend you one.
- Entertainment materials such as crossword puzzles, magazines, etc. are also welcome. You can also find these in the LGH gift shop.
- - Do not bring any valuables that might be misplaced or lost during your stay in the hospital.
Please note that VCH is not responsible for personal belongings or valuables.
Meals
Please note the following meal times:
- Breakfast is typically served at 9:30 a.m.
- Lunch is typically served at 1:30 p.m.
- Dinner is typically served at 6 p.m.
We are able to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies. If you are unable to eat at the designated meal times, we have a microwave available for your use. Additionally, you are welcome to bring your own food from home and store it in the patient fridge. Please make sure to label your food with your name and the date. If you need labels, please let us know and we will provide them for you.
Additional reminders
Please do not bring any heavily scented flowers or perfumes. All patients/visitors should follow good hand hygiene.
Lions Gate Hospital (LGH)
Lions Gate Hospital (LGH) provides a full range of general and many specialized acute care services, including general medicine, emergency and critical care, general surgery, orthopedics, maternity, pediatrics, psychiatry, chemotherapy, cardiac care, diagnostics, nuclear medicine, palliative care, rehabilitative services and neurosurgery.