New Division of Palliative and Supportive Care Created at NHH
Northumberland Hills Hospital is recognizing National Hospice Palliative Care Week 2024 with the announcement of a new leadership role on its medical team.
Dr. Francesco Mulé, a member of NHH’s medical team since 2011, has been appointed Head of Service for the new Division of Palliative and Supportive Care.
Recruited to the community in 2011 as an Emergency Department physician, Dr. Mulé has been successful in numerous critical leadership roles, most recently as informal lead for palliative care. Respected for his experience helping local patients and families navigate end-of-life care, pain and symptom management, he will build on this experience to work closely with patients, families, staff and medical colleagues in a newly expanded leadership role to further grow an interdisciplinary approach to the delivery of the palliative and end-of-life care in the hospital’s six-bed Palliative Care Unit and, beyond that unit, throughout the hospital.
“Dr. Mulé’s proven medical expertise, strong clinical knowledge and commitment to person-centred care will be a key enabler to the expected growth and development of this Division and its linkage, beyond the Palliative Care Unit, to other units in the hospital and the services and supports offered by our community partners,” said Dr. Mukesh Bhargava, NHH’s Chief of Staff. “I thank the Board for approving the creation of this dedicated Division within NHH’s Post Acute Specialty Services program. It’s a model that follows one created with success in our growing Maternal/Child Care program.”
Approved on the recommendation of the Chief of Staff and Chief Nursing Executive at the April meeting of the NHH Board of Directors, this new appointment will also pave the way for the creation this spring of a new NHH Palliative and Supportive Care Quality Practice Committee (QPC). The QPC will be co-chaired by Dr. Mulé and the clinical leader for Post-Acute Specialty Services. Moving forward, Senior Leadership, Medical Advisory Committee and Board reporting will flow through this dedicated QPC regarding NHH’s Palliative and Supportive Care services.
“The addition of a new Division of Palliative and Supportive Care and QPC will bring transparency and structure to what was previously an ad hoc reporting process regarding Palliative and Supportive Care at NHH,” said Susan Walsh, President and CEO. “On behalf of our Senior Leadership Team I want to thank Dr. Mulé for accepting this important role. Families in our community are very appreciative of the choices they now have for palliative and end-of-life care in Northumberland. Even as community supports grow and expand, we appreciate there will always be a role for hospital-based palliative care as well. Since the doors were opened to NHH’s Palliative Care Unit over 20 years ago, Northumberland Hills Hospital has been committed to having an exceptional Palliative Care service. With Dr. Mule’s support, and that of our entire interdisciplinary team and volunteer partners, we intend to do all in our power to sustain that service and expand it, to ensure consistent service throughout the hospital, for all in our care.”
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love