Ombudsman joins DHSS, other advocates and experts on recently created New Jersey Advisory Council on End-of-Life Care

In August 2011, the Governor signed legislation creating the New Jersey Advisory Council on End-of-Life Care, whose goal is to identify and promote end-of-life care in which patients’wishes are central and individuals are provided with dignified and respectful treatment that seeks to alleviate their physical pain and mental anguish as much as possible. The Ombudsman, along with other state officials and public members with expertise in the field, will serve on this important body.

With the Commissioner of the Department of Health and Senior Services Mary O’Dowd at the helm, the council will identify best practices in providing patients access to high quality, cost-effective palliative care and end-of-life care; identify effective ways to educate the public about palliative and end-of-life care; and develop goals to implement the best practices learned, including recommendations for administrative, legislative, and policy initiatives.

At the end of its 18-month tenure, the council will provide a report to the Governor and Legislature with its findings.