Member, Kootenay Boundary Patient Advisory Committee (PACC Committee)

Volunteer Opportunity
Are you interested in making health care more patient and family-centred? The Patient Advisory Committee (PACC) has the ear of health care providers and policy makers in Kootenay Boundary.

As an advocate for patient perspectives from within the system, the Committee contributes to real and constructive change in our region.

RSVP Now

Lead Organization/Department
KB Division of Family Practice/Interior Health KB Patient Advisory Committee

Aim
The goal of the PACC Committee is to strengthen patient engagement in the KB region, increase patients’ influence on health care system change, and educate and empower people to be more knowledgeable and effective partners in health care at all levels. By having more patients participate in the PACC, we can better represent the diversity of patient voices in our communities.

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
• Resident of the Kootenay Boundary
• Has an email address and comfort communicating electronically.
• Available to attend most meetings virtually or at a central location (e.g. Castlegar)
• Respects diversity and differing opinions, privacy and confidentiality
• Comfortable providing constructive advice

Logistics
• Number of vacancies: 8
• The KB Patient Advisory Committee meets monthly for 2-hour meetings
• Meetings are held on the 4th Friday of each month from 1:00 to 3:00 (approximately 8 times per year)
• We hope that our new patient partners can join us in the New Year
• Between meetings, there may be requests for input by email or by phone
• Meetings are held electronically (by zoom) or in-person when possible
• Proof of vaccination will be required to attend in-person meetings as per IH policy
• It is anticipated that this work will continue for over a year

Reimbursement
Mileage (for in person meetings) and out-of-pocket expenses will be reimbursed.

Background
By joining the PACC Committee, you’ll be part of a passionate group of volunteer citizens who meet to help make a difference in health care in the KB region.

The PACC Committee provides feedback on questions from health care providers, researchers and leaders; helps advance its strategic goals for strengthening patient engagement; and has opportunities to participate in learning events. The PACC Committee is a working group of the Kootenay Boundary Collaborative Services Committee (CSC), comprised of representatives from the Division of Family Practice, Interior Health, patients and First Nations and tasked with transforming the regional and local health care system into an integrated system of care. The PACC Committee provides input into decisions and discussions of the CSC and the programs + projects under its umbrella.

The PACC Committee has been providing input on health care in the Kootenay Boundary since 2019. In 2021, it developed a 3-year strategic plan that includes expanding the Committee. The more voices we have on the PACC Committee, the better we can represent what people need from their health care providers and the health care system. Also, we have embarked on an exciting partnership with Selkirk College to strengthen the knowledge base about patient engagement in our region.

You will be on a committee with 8-10 other people and receive support from a small team from the KB Division of Family Practice and Interior Health. Much of the PACC’s work relates to primary care but, given the PACC’s relationship to the KB Collaborative Services Committee (CSC), the scope of questions and input could include acute, community or long term care settings.

For more information, please check out our website: https://kbpacc.ca/

Health Care Partner Contact Information

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