Member, Victoria Hospice Patient Advisory Committee

It takes a special health care team to take care of people at the end of life. Creating strong connections with family and friends is crucial to developing empathetic care that supports the wishes of those in hospice palliative care. Victoria Hospice is seeking patient partners who are ready to share their personal journey with supporting end of life care as part of the monthly Patient Advisory Committee that looks to enhance their services to fulfill the needs of those they serve.

Open to: Patient partners in Greater Victoria, Saanich Peninsula & Western communities

Lead Organization or Department

Victoria Hospice

Aim

Patient partners are invited to join a new Patient Advisory Committee (PAC) to provide feedback and recommendations to Victoria Hospice leadership, ensuring that Victoria Hospice initiatives meet the current and emerging needs of clients, caregivers and diverse communities. Priorities for the PAC from July-November will include the development of patient welcome packages (patient rights & responsibilities, information on service provision, complaint procedures, etc.) as well as the development of discharge packages. PAC members may also be invited to join secondary committees like the ethics committee and quality improvement committee that meet quarterly.

Level of Engagement

This opportunity is at the level of involve on the spectrum of engagement. The promise to you is that the health care partner will involve patients in planning and design phases to ensure ideas or concerns are considered and reflected in alternatives and recommendations.  

Eligibility

• Live within Greater Victoria, the Saanich Peninsula or the Western Communities
• Personal experience with Victoria Hospice (or another palliative end of life program) is required
• Able to review written materials and provide feedback

Patient Partners should have previously attended a PVN orientation session.  If you have not attended an orientation but are interested please contact Kira Tozer directly to see if accommodations may be possible.  

Logistics

• Vacancies: 2-6
• Location: Victoria Hospice (Royal Jubilee Hospital). Teleconference is possible, but in-person attendance is preferred.
• Date/Time: TBD. Meetings will be held monthly from July-November, and may decrease to quarterly in 2019. Meetings will typically run for 2 hours during regular business hours. Some pre-reading and review of materials will be required between meetings. The first meeting tentatively set for the week of July 23.
• Commitment: Patient partners are asked to join the committee for a minimum of 1 year, with the option of extending for an additional year. Before meetings, patient partners will be asked to review materials and arrive prepared to discuss content.

Reimbursement

Travel & parking costs to attend meetings (to a max of $20/meeting) will be reimbursed.

Background

Victoria Hospice is currently developing its next strategic plan, preparing for accreditation and working on several initiatives to improve quality. We recognize the need to engage the client/family voice in our discussions, planning, and development of resources and service processes. Victoria Hospice is a registered charity that has provided end-of-life care focused on palliative treatment since 1980. Our nurses, counsellors, spiritual caregivers, physicians, and volunteers provide comfort for the patient and support for the family, rather than a cure for progressive and life-limiting illness. Our mission is to enhance the quality of life for those facing advancing illness, death and bereavement through skilled and compassionate care, education, research and advocacy. For more information on Victoria Hospice, please visit http://www.victoriahospice.org

Health Care Partner Contact Information

Kira Tozer
Engagement Leader, Patient & Public Engagement | Vancouver Island
250.888.4525
ktozer@bcpsqc.ca