Participant, Provincial Dialogue Day: Improving Patient Complaint Processes for Indigenous Peoples

Volunteer Opportunity
Are you interested in participating in a productive dialogue that honours, builds upon and accelerates efforts aimed to eliminate Indigenous-specific racism in the provincial health care system? The BC Patient Safety & Quality Council, on behalf of the In Plain Sight Task Team, is looking for patient partners to participate in a dynamic full day dialogue session to inform improved patient complaint processes for Indigenous Peoples.

RSVP Now

Lead Organization/Department
BC Patient Safety & Quality Council, in partnership with Indigenous organizations and the Ministry of Health

Aim
Patient partners offer real-life and grassroots perspectives. Principles developed with patients and health care partners during this Dialogue will improve things for Indigenous patients and families when voicing complaints and experiences of care in the health care system.

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.

At this session, patient partners will participate in interactive breakout group round table discussions focused on what the complaints process should look and feel like for Indigenous Peoples. The day will include representations from health authorities, Indigenous organizations, regulatory colleges, the Ministry of Health and other key partners across the health system.

Eligibility
• Identifies as Indigenous (Métis, First Nations, or Inuit)
• Seeking representation from across the province in a variety of communities
• As part of our COVID-19 safety plan, and in accordance with current public health orders, proof of vaccination is required for attendance
• Available January 27th to attend an all-day meeting

Logistics
• Number of vacancies: 10-12
• Meeting date: January 27 & (8am – 4:30pm)
• Virtual
• One-time commitment

Reimbursement
Out-of-pocket expenses including transportation, meals and hotel (if required) will be covered by the Ministry of Health.

Background
The In Plain Sight (IPS) report found that current patient complaint processes across the health system are neither accessible nor culturally safe for Indigenous Peoples and are not inherently capable of examining issues of Indigenous-specific racism. Recommendation #5 of the report calls for a strategy to improve the patient complaint processes administered by health authorities, organizations, and regulatory bodies. For more detailed information regarding the IPS report please review the summary and full report here.

This is a key quality of care issue being prioritized by many organizations in the B.C. health system. This Provincial Dialogue will provide an opportunity for a wide-ranging group of contributors to come together, including Indigenous patients, families, and caregivers, to discuss principles that can frame an improved patient complaint process for Indigenous Peoples.

The aim of the session is to bring awareness of the work underway to make improvements and to engage in a process to collectively identify principles to underpin improvements to the complaints process for Indigenous patients and families. The patient perspective will be important to help shape future recommendations.

Health Care Partner Contact Information

Cathy Almost
Engagement Leader, Patient and Public Engagement | Northern Region
250-615-9932
calmost@bcpsqc.ca