Cowichan Primary Care Network, Steering Committee Member

The Cowichan Primary Care Network (PCN) would like to have a patient partner join the Steering Committee. The Cowichan PCN serves a broad geographical area that has a population of approximately 91,000 and includes the Cowichan Valley (south, central, west and north), Ladysmith, Chemainus and Thetis Island. The PCN also works in collaboration with the local First Nations including Cowichan Tribes, Penelakut Tribe, Halalt, Lyackson, Stz’uminus, Malahat, Ts’uubaa-asatx and Ditidaht.

The PCN Steering Committee provides leadership for the PCN to meet the needs of patients, the system and the community and to ensure that the PCN is inclusive of all residents of the Cowichan communities.

The role of the PCN Steering Committee is to provide the strategic direction for the implementation and ongoing function of the Cowichan PCN within the spirit and intention of the PCN service plan (approved by the Ministry of Health in 2020).

The PCN Steering Committee meets on a quarterly basis via a virtual platform. Ideally the patient partner will have an understanding of the local geography and has accessed primary care services in the area.

The Cowichan PCN Vision & Value Propositions are “Building on local ideas & strengths through inclusion, communication and coordination”. This includes a focus on wise & quality driven care, sustainability, innovation, cultural safety and humility, as well as a community of care.

The PCN Steering Committee includes equal representation from the Cowichan Division of Family Practice, Indigenous communities and Island Health.

Level of Engagement

This opportunity is at the level of Collaborate on the IAP2 Spectrum of Public Participation.

Eligibility

• Specific health care experiences [details below]
• Previous committee/working group experience
• Have access to technology and the internet to participate in the engagement opportunity
• Comfortable using technology to attend online/virtual meetings
• An interest in improving health care services
• accessed primary care in the Cowichan Valley (for example a family doctor or nurse practitioner).

Patient Partners ARE NOT required to be PVN members to participate in this engagement opportunity.

Health Care Partner Contact Information

Kristy Schafer-Blood Director, Cowichan PCN, Cowichan Primary Care Network | Island Health (250) 710-8010 kristy.schaferblood@islandhealth.ca