The term “palliative care” was first coined by Canadian physician, Balfour Mount in the mid-1970’s. Inspired by the work of Dame Cicely Saunders in the UK, Mount set up the hospital-based palliative care unit at Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal. Prior to opening the ward, he found the treatments for terminally ill patients abysmally inadequate. He set out to change that and was awarded the Order of Canada for his efforts.

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