Committees or councils which include patients and family members are one way for you to become involved in your regional network. You have the opportunity to provide staff and administrators with a patient or family point-of-view of the services and to suggest changes to improve these services. This will make them better respond to the needs of patients and their family members.
We are in the process of adding patient and family advisory committees or councils to this section on a weekly or even daily basis, and hope over time to include all patient and family advisory councils in Canada. If you do not find your advisory committee listed in this section, please let us know so that we can add it to our website.
Kingston Area, Cancer Care Southeast: Regional Patient and Family Advisory Council
Ottawa Area, Champlain Community Care Access Centre: Patient and Caregiver Council
Ottawa Area, The Champlain Regional Cancer Program: Patient and Family Advisory Council
Toronto Area, Mississauga Halton Community Care Access Centre: Share Care Council
Toronto Area, North Simcoe Muskoka Local Health Integration Network: Patient Caregiver, Family Advisory Group
Toronto Area, Toronto Central Local Health Integration Network: Citizens’ Panel
Toronto Area: Health Quality Ontario Patient, Family and Public Advisors Council
Kingston Area, Cancer Care Southeast: Regional Patient and Family Advisory Council
The Regional Patient and Family Advisory Council is a group of volunteers who bring the patient and family voice to the cancer system. Each member of the council has experienced cancer as a patient, family member or caregiver.
The council meets monthly and is consulted on all major cancer care decisions, programs and redevelopment initiatives in the region. Between meetings, members of the council are involved in many projects and activities that are helping to improve cancer care. These projects and activities include:
- planning changes in cancer care;
- developing educational materials for patients and families; and
- participating in the hiring of cancer care providers.
If you would like to join the council, contact:
Daryl Bell, KGH Lead, Patient- and Family Centred Care
Phone: 613 549 6666 X4424, Email: belld@kgh.kari.net
For further information, please visit their official website for the South East region here.
Ottawa Area, Champlain Community Care Access Centre: Patient and Caregiver Council
Use your experience to improve services and programs.
The work of the Champlain CCAC Patient and Caregiver Council has already made several improvements including:
- Supplies and equipment distribution;
- Information packages for new patients;
- Complaints/feedback processes;
- Steering committees for person driven care;
- Caregiver course development;
- Patient engagement advisor; and
- Raising awareness about supports in the community.
Kelsey Lett – a passionate Patient Engagement Advisor and Council member shares her thoughts on why improving patient care matters. “When I was 2 years old, I was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis. I have been in and out of hospitals my whole life. In my experience, we can improve care only when patients, families and health professionals work together as equal partners. Together we’re the dream team!”
There are many opportunities to share your insights as a patient and caregiver. Everything from one-time, occasional and ongoing participation is available.
YOU CAN WORK ALONGSIDE HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS
You would be working alongside health care professionals – Registered Nurses, Care Coordinators, Therapists and many others to share your unique experience and be a trusted advisor to help improve patient care.
If the opportunity to participate in influencing the future of healthcare programs and services captures your imagination, they would like to hear from you.
The Centre is also actively recruiting Patient Experience Advisors. To express interest, please complete this Form.
To inquire more about these opportunities, please contact the Patient and Stakeholder Engagement Coordinator at 613-745-8124 ext. 5991 or email Lise Racicot at lise.racicot@lhins.on.ca. For toll free, please call 1-866-994-8124 ext. 5991.
For more information, please click here.
Ottawa Area, The Champlain Regional Cancer Program: Patient and Family Advisory Council
The Champlain Regional Cancer Program Patient and Family Advisory Council provides a way for the staff of the Cancer Program to connect with patients and family members and share advice on delivering care. The main goal is to help support a patient and family centred care approach across the program.
Patient and Family Advisory Council members provide advice to the Cancer Program so improvements can be made to help other cancer patients and their families. This is done by taking part in regular meetings, as well as by helping out on committees and working groups.
The Patient and Family Advisory Council does not take on the cause of a specific patient or family member, or a special interest group. It also does not fundraise to support its activities or interests.
The Council is made up of patients and family members from across the Champlain Region who have had used the services of the Ottawa Hospital Cancer Program and its regional satellite partners. Meetings are supported by staff who serve as the main link. The Canadian Cancer Society also has a representative on the Patient and Family Advisory Council.
The Patient and Family Advisory Council meets 5 times per year. Meetings are usually held late in the afternoon so members who work are able to attend. Members will also be asked to help out on committees, workgroups or special projects as needed. Often members are asked for advice and input by email or phone between meetings as well.
The first step to becoming a Patient and Family Advisory Council member is to read the FAQ’s sheet.
For more information, please see the Ottawa Hospital Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s).
Any questions should be directed to Gwen Barton, Manager, Patient Experience at 613-737-7700, ext. 73633 Email: gwbarton@toh.on.ca.
Toronto Area, Mississauga Halton Community Care Access Centre: Share Care Council
The Share Care Council is a committee consisting of patients, substitute decision makers and family caregivers committed to improving home and community care. The council is a partnership that ensures a direct voice for patients and families to inform the development of new programs and services at the Mississauga Halton Community Care Access Centre.
The council is a direct means for the Mississauga Halton Community Care Access Centre to learn what matters most to patients and their families. It is a forum to assist in developing programming.
The council will:
- Include patient and family member representatives from client populations;
- Be approximately 16 -18 members including some staff members;
- Have a two year membership term with the possibility of a one term renewal;
- Balance new and experienced members for term renewals; and
- Have four meetings held annually (two conducted in-person and two conducted via videoconference).
To obtain more information please visit the website here or contact Kathryn Hales at 905-855-9090 x 7881.
Toronto Area, North Simcoe Muskoka Local Health Integration Network: Patient Caregiver, Family Advisory Panel
North Simcoe Muskoka Local Health Integration Network is seeking community members to participate in the new Patient, Caregiver, Family Advisory Panel.
Engaging local stakeholders regarding the local health system’s needs and priorities is critical. This Group serves as a forum for dialogue among community members as they advise on issues and perspectives related to health system goals and objectives. The purpose of the Advisory Group is to provide advice on how to achieve person-centered health care within the local health system.
With the assistance and leadership of staff, the Advisory Group:
- Provides system-level advice and guidance to support the successful implementation of the Integrated Health Service Plan 2013-2016, our Care Connections work and other strategic priorities; and
- Work in collaboration with other planning groups/committees.
The Advisory Group meets quarterly (4 times per year) and membership is extended to all North Simcoe Muskoka community residents.
Click here to learn more.
Contact information:
SheilaWinegarden
Community Engagement Coordinator
Email: Sheila.winegarden@lhins.on.ca
Tel: (705) 721-8010 Ext. 3237
Toronto Area, Toronto Central Local Health Integration Network: Citizens’ Panel
The Citizens’ Panel provides advice and recommendations related to the Toronto Central Local Health Integration Network strategic plan and serves as an engagement forum between patients caregivers, families and residents.
- Costs related to the participation in the panel will be covered including transportation, attendant care, and child care costs.
- Members serve for up to two years with the possibility of renewal and can step down at any time.
- Meetings happen every two months.
- Residents in the Toronto Central LHIN area are eligible to be considered.
Recruitment for the panel’s membership is an on ongoing basis.
For more information, click here or email torontocentral@lhins.on.ca.
If you are interested in becoming a Citizen Advisor, contact the Community Engagement Lead, Ryan Hinds at ryan.hinds@tc.lhins.on.ca.
Toronto Area: Health Quality Ontario Patient, Family and Public Advisors Council
The Health Quality Ontario Patient, Family and Public Advisors Council (as part of the Advisors program) is made up of 16 individuals from across Ontario who bring unique and diverse perspectives based on their personal experience with the health system.
Council members serve a two-year term during which they participate in quarterly sessions. Through these in-depth discussions, the Advisors Council examines HQO’s strategic priorities and provides input on how to improve these areas. In addition to the work of the volunteers in the Advisors Program, the Advisors Council helps contribute to our goal of fostering a culture that recognizes patient, family and public engagement as core to improving the quality of health care that patients receive.
To express interest in joining the Council, please complete this Form.
For more information, click here or contact engagement@hqontario.ca.