Collaborating with Our Community: Working Together for Better Care
Bernice King had part of her lung removed at St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton in 2013. Five years later, she's accepting the Patient and Family Advisor Award of Excellence.
The revered award recognizes Bernice's significant impact on collaborating with staff to improve quality care at St. Joe's.
"When I heard there was a council made up of people who have lived through a health care experience, and who were able to speak up and be empowered to influence change in the health care system, I just knew it was something I wanted to contribute to," said Bernice.
“I just knew it was something I wanted to contribute to.”
Pictured (left to right): Winnie Doyle, Bernice King & Michelle Joyner
Recognizing St. Joes' team members
Bernice volunteers as the Co-Chair on the Patient and Family Advisory Council, a dedicated group who work together with staff and leaders on informing, improving and transforming healthcare services at St. Joe's. Advisors on the council use their perspective and personal experiences to shape policy, care, and, most importantly, the patient experience.
On November 28, 2018, she accepted the award when St. Joe's hosted an event to celebrate Bernice and the team of 41 devoted volunteers who sit alongside her on the council.
Pictured: Youth Wellness Centre staff
There were other groups and individuals recognized at the event. The Youth Wellness Centre (YWC) received the Award of Excellence for a Team or Individual Family Member. The Centre, which offers mental health and substance use support for youth between 17 and 25, was celebrated for their extraordinary work in engaging with patients and families.
"The Youth Wellness Centre is a space where we know it's okay to not be okay," said a YWC team member on behalf of the group. "Being a part of the YWC has inspired me to make a difference in systems I thought couldn't and wouldn't change."
"Being a part of the YWC has inspired me to make a difference in systems I thought couldn't and wouldn't change."
Engaging Patients and Families in our Decisions
Pictured here: Nancy Watt
St. Joe's introduced the Patient and Family Advisory Council in 2011, with a vision to build patient perspective and advice into programs and services offered across the hospital.
Nancy Watt has been volunteering at St. Joe's for over a decade. She co-facilitated the creative writing program, has brought her improv skills as a Second City Toronto graduate to the YWC, and has been a Patient and Family Advisor since 2012. She even stepped up to inspire the crowd as the event's keynote speaker.
"I have a sister who's an epileptic and a sister who confronted depression. I'm familiar with emergency psychiatry and mental health. I love that I have found a voice for myself that is heard and have reached a place of belonging. It's my wish that all Patient and Family Advisor's do so too."
Valuing our Volunteers' Voices
"We've made significant progress, but there is still work to do," commented Winnie Doyle, Interim President at St. Joe's. "And I know we'll keep working together to create a better world for patients and families."
"There is real room to make a difference," said Bernice. "By communicating with patients, it improves their care and experience, they're more satisfied, and it may even prevent re-hospitalization. There are all sorts of great things that can happen if we listen to patients."
"By communicating with patients, it improves their care and experience, [and] they're more satisfied."
Volunteer your voice! If you're interested in representing patients and families who receive care at St. Joe's by joining the community of Patient and Family Advisors, please click here and get in touch