1967-70 : The beginnings

The beginning of the Palliative Home-Care Society of Greater Montreal (SSPAD) coincides with the arrival in Quebec of hospitalization insurance coverage in 1967, then government medical insurance in 1970. In taking over control of the management of health care services, the government of Quebec abolishes all ‘billing’ of in-home private medical services. This brings about the unfortunate disappearance of a very useful service, the Société des Infirmières Visiteuses (Visiting Nurse Society).

1973 : Birth of the “Association d’Entraide Ville-Marie” (Ville-Marie Mutual Assistance Association)

It was thanks to the unwavering determination of a small team, without any formal organisation, financially strapped, but full of benevolence, that the Association d’Entraide Ville-Marie (AEVM; Ville-Marie Mutual Assistance Association) was born in 1973. It’s challenge – to care for and support patients and their families. As the notion of palliative care becomes clearer and more known (especially with the opening of the palliative care unit of the Royal Victoria Hospital in 1975, and at Notre-Dame Hospital four years later), the mission of the AEVM becomes clear:

Provide palliative care, psychological support and spiritual guidance to all patients in an advanced stage of cancer who would like to live the final stage of their life at home. The Association also provides caregivers with help and support, with all the respect, dignity and compassion that such work requires.

1980 : Creation of the “Fondation Docteur Maurice Bertrand” (Doctor Maurice Bertrand Foundation)

Achieving this noble objective required both private funds and ongoing financial contributions from the government to ensure the sustainability of the organisation. In light of this, friends with a shared belief initiate the creation of the Fondation Docteur Maurice Bertrand (Doctor Maurice Bertrand Foundation), in honour of a great humanist who was exceptionally devoted and showed unwavering commitment to the development of the AEVM (Ville-Marie Mutual Assistance Association). In 2009 The AEVM changed its name to become the ‘Société de Soins palliatifs à domicile du Grand Montréal’ (SSPAD; Palliative Home-Care Society of Greater Montreal).

Since its creation, SSPAD has treated and accompanied over 55,000 patients and their families. Each year, the work of the society helps 60% of its patients die at home, if that is their wish.