Health Sciences North is welcoming seven new patient advisors to its complement of more than 40 former patients or family members who work with HSN to improve overall patient care and experience.
The new patient advisors are Deborah Francis, John Fraser, Donna Humbert, Rita Izumi, Melanie Kanerva, Jill Kirwan and Travis Morgan.
Patient advisors work directly with HSN health care providers, doctors, management and the board of directors, with a goal to ensure patients' perspectives are included in care planning and improvement work.
HSN’s patient advisors have been involved at all levels, from front-line care to the hiring of senior administrators. Last year, patient advisors took part in a total of 79 new projects, including 25 improvement projects.
One of HSN’s newest patient advisors, Donna Humbert, signed on after undergoing cancer-related surgery.
“I was very impressed with my level of care. However, there was a lack of information presented to me when I was discharged," said Humbert.
"Joining the patient advisor group was my way of helping to support change. If I can help make a difference and make things clearer to just one person then we are all further ahead.”
Without the advisors, offering truly patient-centred care is virtually impossible said the interim CEO of HSN.
“(They) are completely changing the way we approach patient care and experience, and they are truly changing the culture at HSN,” said Joe Pilon, HSN’s Interim CEO and Chief Operating Officer. “You can’t have patient-centred care unless you put patients at the centre of planning that care. We are a much richer institution because of their input.”
If you have been a patient or a family member of a patient at HSN within the past two years, you may be eligible to become a patient advisor.
To learn more, send us an email at [email protected], or visit www.hsnsudbury.ca, and under Patients and Families, select Patient/Family Engagement.
