Member, Specialized Community Service Programs Project

Interior Health is seeking a patient partner to be part of a committee that will inform the work around specialized community services for people with complex medical issues. Patient input is highly valued in understanding the patient experience in the health care system.

Open to: Patient partners in Kelowna and surrounding area

Lead Organization or Department

Interior Health - Primary and Community Care

Aim

The goal is to simplify and improve coordination of care and services for the patient and family member, based on the values that the patient, family or caregiver should access the "right care, at the right time, at the right place." The experience and point of view of the patient and family is highly valued, and helps us understand how we can make improvements in accessing services and care. The role of patient partner is to provide input and patient perspective in service development.

Level of Engagement

This opportunity is at the level of collaborate on the spectrum of engagement. The promise to you is that the health care partner will work together with you to formulate solutions and incorporate your advice and recommendations into the decisions to the maximum extent possible.

Eligibility

• Experience in working in groups or committees.
• Experience in navigating the health care system as patient, family member or caregiver.
• Willingness to share experiences but also be able to reflect on contributions of others.
• Meetings are in person or teleconference, experience with WebEx an asset.
• Central Okanagan resident - meeting will be in Kelowna.
• Patient/family/caregiver experience in relation to accessing health services for chronic disease, medical frailty, and/or home support services.

Logistics

Vacancies: 2 Location, date, time and frequency:

• Meetings will be held in Kelowna (location to be determined)
• Meetings will be held 1-2 times per month and length will be 1-2 hours
• Meeting times to be determined
• Meetings will be held in-person, teleconference or webinar
• It is expected that this work will last from 7-12 months
• There may be some opportunities for additional working group

Reimbursement

• Patient partner reimbursement follows the Interior Health staff travel policy.
• Patients will receive out of pocket expenses for travel, parking, or local public transport.
• If meetings take place over a meal time, the meal will be provided.
• Out-of-pocket expenses take up to six weeks for reimbursement to occur, once the form has been completed and receipts received

Background

The Health Authority is working under direction from the Ministry of Health to develop its Specialized Community Health Services (SCSP) to be more integrated, accessible and streamlined (convenient for patient/family). Members of this committee may include Health care professionals such as Interior Health staff, health care administrators, and managers of specific health programs (ie.) Diabetes, Home Health, Residential Care, IMIT. Background materials will be provided as needed prior to meetings.

Health Care Partner Contact Information

Carol Stathers
Engagement Leader, Patient and Public Engagement | Okanagan, Interior Region
778.516.3308
cstathers@bcpsqc.ca