Because your voice matters.

Member, Mental Health and Substance Use Specialized Community Service Programs Steering Committee

Posted • Last updated

Closed

Open to Interior Region, Patient partners in the South Okanagan

Last updated

Your voice is needed to advise Interior Health in exploring new approaches to health care for those with mental health and substance use needs within the South Okanagan. We want to transform current programs to centre patient care, and address care for patients with complicated health issues.

Open to: Patient partners in the South Okanagan

Lead Organization or Department

Interior Health, Specialized Community Service Programs Mental Health and Substance Use (MHSU) Engagement

Aim

MHSU Specialised Community Service Programs (SCSP) are part of the new integrated system of Primary and Community Care intended to provide coordinated, person-centred care so individuals and their families may be better supported in the community. To ensure the patient needs are met in the development of the new approach, patients are asked to be part of the MHSU SCSP Steering Committee. The Steering Committee will work as a team to engagement with numerous stakeholders, will drive the creation and development of the new system and work in a coordinated approach with other communities across Interior Health. Patient partners will be equal members of this steering committee lending their voice to the development of this program.

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

  • Familiarity with MHSU health care needs and challenges for treatment and health care support as a patient/client/family member/friend
  • Patient partners must be willing to work with a group of Interior Health representatives which may include physicians or specialists
  • A willingness to share their story but also be able to reflect on experiences of others
  • Patient partners must reside within South Okanagan.
  • Willingness to be part of any working groups which may form from the Steering Committee

Logistics

Vacancies: 2 Location, Date, Time and Frequency: MHSU SCSP Steering Committee meetings take place Thursdays from 1300 - 1500 every two weeks until March 31, 2019, after which meetings may be monthly. Meetings are either in person at the Penticton Health Centre or by teleconference.

Reimbursement

Patient partner reimbursement follows the Interior Health Staff travel policy. Patients will receive out of pocket expenses for travel (mileage further than 50 Kilometers), 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

This initiative is occurring as direction from the Ministry of Health to provide wrap around care for our patient population. Health Authority clinicians, managers, staff, physicians or specialists may be part of the Steering Committee. All personal information shared within the Steering Committee will remain confidential and will not be shared outside the meeting itself. Patient partners new to Interior Health initiatives will be required to sign a confidentiality agreement.

Health Care Partner Contact Information

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

From Our Community

Karla Warkotsch

Patient Experience Consultant – Interior Health

Karla Warkotsch

The question I like to ask health care employees is ‘Who is this for?’ and ‘Do we have the right people at the table?’ As a health care employee, I see how easy it is to fall into doing for, rather than doing with patients. The voices of the patient, family and caregiver are essential to ensure the patient is central to the direction and focus of the work being done.

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.