Skip to main content

Because your voice matters.

Member, Community Health and Care Directors Committee

Posted • Last updated

Closed

Open to Vancouver Island Region, Patient partners in Island Health Region

Last updated

A new integrated, connected community health and care model is coming to your community and you are invited to participate in the Island Health committee that will oversee implementation of this improved approach!

Open to: Patient partners in Island Health Region

Lead Organization or Department

Community Health and Care, Island Health

Aim

Island Health has an island-wide Directors Committee leading the implementation of a new integrated care model. In this model, health care providers in the community will work together in teams to support patients. The teams will have a complete picture of the patient, their health care needs and their wellness goals. This team approach to care will enhance patients’ experiences, improve their health outcomes and reduce the need for patients to seek care in emergency departments.The Committee is seeking patient partners to actively contribute to dialogue and decision-making during meetings by sharing their perspective on the impact of service redesign on patients and families.

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 research partner will work together with you to formulate solutions and incorporate your advice and recommendations into the decisions to the maximum extent possible.

Eligibility

  • Comfortable actively participating in strategic, change-oriented discussions with senior leaders from across Island Health;
  • A good understanding of the health care system and interest in improving teamwork and communication in health care services;
  • Comfortable sharing experiences and constructive feedback in a group setting;
  • 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 Leah Smith directly;
  • The selection process for this opportunity may include an informal interview between the patient and the health care partner.

Logistics

  • Vacancies: 1. The committee has benefited from the participation of two long-serving patient partners, one of whom has recently resigned.
  • The committee meets on a monthly basis but may meet bi-weekly in the fall.
  • Location: Participants are able to join in person, via an Island Health video-linked site, or by teleconference (depending on where you live).
  • Date & time: 4th Tuesday of the month, 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
  • Commitment: One year with the possibility of renewal
  • Meeting materials are provided via email in advance of each meeting. A 15 minute pre-meeting is held with patient partners a day or two in advance of each committee meeting to review the materials and to assist the patient partners to prepare for each discussion item.

Reimbursement

Preapproved out-of-pocket expenses such as mileage, parking and public transit will be reimbursed.

Background

Island Health’s Community Health and Care model is based on a patient- and family-centered approach to improving quality of care, collaboration, and integration of all health care services from prevention and promotion, to acute care (e.g. hospital) and tertiary services (e.g. specialized services).  The Community Health and Care portfolio has been working to support the integration of community and primary care, with a focus on patients with complex chronic conditions and/or mental health and substance use.  The Community Health and Care Directors Committee provides oversight and leadership for this work within Island Health and ensures alignment with the Ministry of Health’s Primary and Community Care Policy Framework . Physician organizations, family doctors, The First Nations Health Authority and other organizations also participate in this work. What is the new model of primary and community care all about? Teams and networks of primary care providers are at the centre of the new model for primary and community care services being established around the province. This includes family doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses and medical office assistants. These teams have strong connections to services provided by health authorities, which include redesigned and new specialized community care services for vulnerable patients including the frail elderly, those with complex health needs, and those dealing with mental illness or substance-use issues. Other health professionals in the community, such as pharmacists, occupational therapists and social workers, are also part of the new model of care resulting in more comprehensive, integrated care for patients. What is primary care? Primary care is typically the first and main point of contact a patient has within the health care system. This usually includes care from a family doctor or nurse practitioner, who also co-ordinates any other specialized care that the patient may need. What is the benefit of this new model to patients and families? Through this new integrated approach to primary care, patients receive more coordinated care and are supported to proactively maintain their health and quality of life. This can help patients retain their independence longer, improve their quality of life, help them avoid admissions to hospital and avoid premature entry into residential care. The expected outcomes of Island Health’s Community Health and Care work includes:
  • Improved health outcomes,
  • Improved patient and care provider experience, and
  • Decreased reliance on acute care hospitals.

Health Care Partner Contact Information

Leah Smith
Engagement Leader, Patient and Public Engagement | Southern Vancouver Island
778.678.3977
lsmith@bcpsqc.ca

 

From Our Community

Laura Parmar

Physician Quality Improvement Coach — Northern Health

Laura Palmer

It has been so rewarding to go from an idea to working with such a great group of dedicated people from so many different organizations towards a very fun and rewarding project. Several extremely engaged PVN members expressed interest in being part of piloting a patient virtual care peer support system. I am confident that this is the beginning of many more exciting collaborations!