Patient & Family Advisory Council

We believe the best care happens when patients, residents, families, and caregivers are actively involved in shaping it.

The Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC) is a collaborative group that includes patients, family members, caregivers, and staff who work together to enhance partnerships and improve experiences for patients and residents across all areas of our organization.

PFAC serves as an essential voice in organizational decision-making, helping to guide care improvements and ensure services reflect the needs of those we serve.

Roles & Responsibilities

PFAC reports to the Quality, Risk, and Safety Committee of the Board of Directors and is responsible for the following:

  • Sharing lived experiences to help identify opportunities to improve care
  • Providing insights and recommendations based on the patient, resident, family, and caregiver experience
  • Advising on strategies to enhance meaningful partnerships
  • Contributing to the annual Quality Improvement Plan and other quality initiatives
  • Supporting evaluation efforts by helping define success from the patient and family perspective

Eligibility

We welcome expressions of interest from individuals who:

  • Have recent experience as a patient, family member, or caregiver at Deep River & District Health
  • Are passionate about improving the healthcare experience for others
  • Are comfortable sharing personal experiences in a constructive way and working collaboratively with others

We are committed to fostering a diverse council that reflects the communities we serve.

Commitment

  • PFAC members serve a one-year renewable term.
  • Meetings are held quarterly, with occasional additional opportunities for input and engagement.
  • Participation is on a volunteer basis.

Contact

For more information or to express your interest, please contact us via email at mvaclavinek@drdh.org or by phone at 613-584-3333 ext 7100.

PFAC Accomplishments

PFAC members have contributed to a number of impactful initiatives, including the following:

  • Providing feedback that informed the design of new and renovated care spaces
  • Sharing input into space and program planning for future vacant spaces
  • Supporting improvements to wayfinding and signage
  • Offering insights that shaped communications around care transitions
  • Advising on updates to the annual Quality Improvement Plan
  • Participating in staff education and orientation materials to bring the patient and family perspective forward