Local healthcare teams recruiting volunteer patient and family advisors

SYDNEY, NS – Do you have an interest in sharing your voice and experiences on local healthcare projects and services? Healthcare teams in Nova Scotia Health’s Eastern Zone are looking for volunteer patient and family advisors to support a variety of work underway. 

The teams are looking for people who can use their experience with the health system as a patient, family member, or caregiver, to give advice, feedback and input on projects and teams across Nova Scotia Health.

“As a member of the Palliative Quality Improvement and Safety Council, I see firsthand how my lived experience has directly influenced the council’s focus on not only patients, but also their families,” said patient and family advisor Kathy MacDonald. “As someone who lost a loved one who was a palliative patient, I am honoured to play a role in improving care for those going through the palliative journey.”

Volunteer patient and family advisors are needed for the following teams:

•  CBRM Healthcare Redevelopment Project - provide input into planning for new healthcare facilities and expansions to existing facilities in Sydney, New Waterford, Glace Bay and on the Northside. The time commitment is 1.5 hours quarterly for virtual or in-person meetings.
• Eastern Zone Quality Improvement and Safety Council – provide input on quality improvement and patient safety for Eastern Zone. The time commitment is 1.5 hours per month for virtual or in-person meetings.
• Nova Scotia Health Patient Family and Public Advisory Council – this is a provincial council that provides input on system-wide policies, practices and delivery of people-centred care. The time commitment is three hours per month for virtual or in-person meetings.
• Ambulatory Care Quality – give advice, feedback and input on quality improvement and patient safety. The time commitment is two hours per month for virtual or in-person meetings.
• Pathology & Lab Quality – give advice, feedback and input on quality improvement and patient safety. The time commitment is two hours per month for virtual or in-person meetings.

“Receiving feedback is key to improving every patient’s experience. To do this, we are committed to working with the people and communities that receive our services,” said Debbie LeLievre, Nova Scotia Health Lead-Patient Experience and Director of Quality Improvement and Safety, Nova Scotia Health, Eastern Zone. “We encourage anyone who has experience as a patient, family member or essential care partner within Nova Scotia Health to consider becoming a patient and family advisor. Once you apply, we will reach out to discuss opportunities that are right for you.”

Candidates must be:

• A patient, family member or essential care partner within Nova Scotia Health
• 18 years of age or older
• able to look at issues from more than one point of view
• able to share their viewpoint in an honest, respectful way
• reflective of diverse populations and perspectives in the community
• interested in making a positive contribution to healthcare services

Additional requirements:

• previous volunteer experience is an asset
• sign a confidentiality agreement
• have or be willing to get a criminal background check
• declare any potential conflicts of interest
• be available to attend daytime and/or evening meetings
• be able to commit to attend regular meetings

These are volunteer positions. Current Nova Scotia Health employees, community health board members and elected officials are not eligible to apply.

People interested in becoming patient family advisors can call a toll-free phone number (1-833-732-5646/1-833-PFA-JOIN) or send an email to PFAjoin@nshealth.ca. For more information, visit Become a Patient Family Advisor | Nova Scotia Health (nshealth.ca)

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