Because your voice matters.

Committee Member, Rural Surgical and Maternity Care Advisory Committee

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Open to Provincial Region, Patient partners in rural communities across the province

Last updated

Help sustain surgical and maternity services in rural communities by becoming a member of our rural surgical and obstetrical networks advisory committee!

Open to: Patient partners in rural communities across the province

Lead Organization or Department

Rural Coordination Centre of BC

Aim

This advisory group will provide direction on the development of the local surgical and obstetrical networks. The committee will work through some of the logistic support and details that communities may need as they build their networks. As a patient voice on this committee you will help the team stay focused on processes that will meet patient needs as well as provider needs.

Level of Engagement

This opportunity is at the level of collaborate on the spectrum of engagement (www.iap2.org). The promise to you is that the health care partner will look to you for advice in developing, implementing and evaluating national, provincial and regional policy and/or research to ensure the health care system is responsive to the patients’ experience as much as possible.

Eligibility

  • Preference given to patient partners who have had surgery in a rural community or delivered a baby in a rural community
  • Having had to leave your community for surgery or to deliver a baby would also be an asset
  • Patients who live in rural communities across the province
  • Experience with video conferencing an asset (but not required)
  • If you have a strong interest in this work but have not yet completed a PVN orientation and Volunteer Agreement, are unsure if your experience is a good fit or feel another format of engagement would work better with your availability, please contact Cathy Almost.

Logistics

  • Vacancies: 2
  • End of October first meeting, mid day for 2 hours
  • Mostly video conferencing, possible in person in Vancouver
  • Commitment: Over a year (with possibility to renew), 4-6 times

Reimbursement

Any pre-approved travel will be reimbursed including if a larger in person event  is required, travel and accommodation costs would be covered.

Background

This initiative has come from extensive consultation and research that has shown the need to sustain rural maternity care. In order to do that, the Rural Coordination Centre of BC needs to sustain caesarean section services and this requires ongoing surgical services. 20 communities in BC have lost these services over the last 20 years. We hope to stabilize these closures and sustain services. We are waiting for funding from the Joint Standing Committee (expect confirmation in September 2017) This initiative is directly related to acute and primary care. The committee consists of physicians, midwife, nurse, community coordinator, researcher, project planning and leadership.

Health Care Partner Contact Information

Cathy Almost
Engagement Leader, Patient and Public Engagement | Northern BC
250.615.9932
calmost@bcpsqc.ca

 

From Our Community

Cherie Mercer

Patient Partner, New Aiyansh

Cherie Mercer

I have learned so much about innovation and capacity building by being part of PVN. I signed up to build my leadership skills, however, I experience benefits for myself, my community and Indigenous peoples throughout the province. I understand more about the complexities and opportunities required to improve health care.

Members of the BCPSQC pose for a team photo at the Quality Forum 2019.

Health Quality BC administers the Patient Voices Network. Using evidence-informed strategies, the Council shifts culture, improves clinical practice and advances person- and family-centred care to support high-quality care for every person in our province.