Posted • Last updated
Closed
Commitment: Long-term
Connection method: Virtual
Open to Fraser – Vancouver Coastal, Fraser Valley & Lower Mainland
Last updated
Volunteer Opportunity
Having a healthy start to life increases the chance for infants to thrive and parents to be supported through their care experience. Fraser Health is looking for two patient partners to share their new parent experience as they work to enhance the support given to families across Fraser Health for a healthy start.
Lead Organization/Department
Fraser Health
Aim
Fraser Health hospitals and public health units are working together to improve maternal and infant health outcomes by reviewing, revising, or developing new processes, pamphlets, forms, policies, and projects.
The team is looking to include the patient perspective to ensure the improvements meet the needs of families in Fraser Health.
Level of Engagement
• This opportunity is at the level of consult on the spectrum of engagement. The promise to you is that the health care partner will listen to and acknowledge your ideas and concerns, and provide feedback on how your input affected the decision.
• 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
Patient Partners/Advisors from Fraser Health Communities who:
• Has recent (within two years) experience having a baby within Fraser Health, at one of Fraser Health’s eight maternity services hospitals
• Are positive and solution-focused
If you have a strong interest in this work but have not yet completed a PVN orientation and Patient Partner Commitment, are unsure if your experience is a good fit, please contact Jami Brown directly.
There will be an informal conversation about the opportunity. The goal is to find the best fit for all involved.
Logistics
• Number of vacancies: 2
• Date/Time: A member of the team will meet with you based upon your availability. For some of the work you will be able to share your perspective via email (if that works better for you).
• Commitment: The entire team also meets virtually via MS Teams 5 times a year and you are welcome to attend if you are interested and available. Next meetings are on Sept. 21 and Nov. 24.
• Location: MS Teams (if you opt into attending meetings) or ad hoc telephone/zoom calls if not.
Reimbursement
No out-of-pocket expenses are anticipated for this engagement opportunity. However, if you meet the eligibility criteria, but have concerns about your ability to participate, please contact Jami Brown- jbrown@bcpsqc.ca to see if support options are available. We are always seeking to better understand and reduce barriers to participation.
Background
The team is referred to as the Baby Friendly Practice Council. It has regional members including nurses, managers, clinical nurse educators, patient care coordinators, dieticians, and other health representatives. Overall, the council works to advance the Baby-Friendly Initiative by aligning with the provincial (BC Baby Friendly Network), national (Breastfeeding Committee for Canada), and international (World Health Organization) organizations.
To date, the council has been successful at facilitating access to pasteurized donor human milk at the Fraser Health Level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs), provide breastfeeding education to new employees, development of a Fraser Health breastfeeding policy and related resources, and updates to the Fraser Health website.
The council is currently looking at reviewing care practices, revising and developing patient education pamphlets, development of inclusive language in maternity care, and supporting quality improvement projects.
