Putting Theory into Practice

In October 2024, the Centre of Excellence hosted its inaugural Skills Days, an annual hands-on training event that shares evidence-based best practices in long-term care (LTC) with professional caregivers. The theme of the event was Supporting a Meaningful Death in Long-Term Care. A total of 80 nurses from Ottawa and across Eastern Ontario enhanced their knowledge and abilities in palliative and end-of-life care.

“The focus on active, practical learning makes Skills Days extremely valuable,” says Val Fiset, Director, Champlain Hospice Palliative Care Program (CHPCP). “It's among the most effective ways to inspire practice change.”

Funded by the Province of Ontario, CHPCP educates professional and non-professional caregivers about a range of topics related to end-of-life care, including advance care-planning, grief and self-care. Based on the success of the inaugural event, CHPCP chose to sponsor the second edition of Skills Days, held in May 2025. To encourage nurses from across the Champlain Region who work in LTC to attend, CHPCP offered to pay their registration fees. More than 65 nurses took advantage of the offer.

“Education is central to both our mission and vision,” says Danielle Sinden, Director, Centre of Excellence. “We're both proud and pleased to see that our first two Skills Days events have been impactful and well-received.”

A total of 80 nurses from Ottawa and across Eastern Ontario attended Perley Health's inaugural Skills Days to enhance their knowledge and abilities in palliative and end-of-life care.