February 22, 2012 

What:   As Canada continues to search for a new direction on health care beyond 2014, the patient voice needs to be heard in decision making about the future of health care in Canada. Join the Health Council of Canada in a discussion about how patient engagement can be successfully used as a means of improving the health care system.
   
  The Health Council will present findings from its commentary Turning what we know into action: A commentary on the National Symposium on Patient Engagement. Discussion will focus on the need to shift from provider-focused to patient-centred care. Panelists will talk about working with health care decision makers and providers to create meaningful and measureable ways to involve patients in health care, measuring patient engagement, and the need to include it as a performance objective.
   
Who:   Dr. Jack Kitts, Chair, Health Council of Canada
  John G. Abbott, CEO, Health Council of Canada
 
Panelists include:
  • Nichola Manning, Acting Assistant Deputy Minister, Medical Services and Health Human Resources, B.C. Ministry of Health
  • Dr. Jeff Coleman, Vice President, Regional Programs and Service Integration, Vancouver Coastal Health
  • Dr. William Cavers, Co-Chair, General Practice Services Committee
  • Dr. Kendall Ho, Associate Dean and Director, Continuing Medical Education, UBC, Faculty of Medicine E-Health Strategy Office
  • Sheila Pither, Patient, Community Engagement Advisory Network (CEAN) Patient Partner
  • Joyce Sandercock, Patient, Patient Voices Network (PVN) Patient Partner
   
When:   Thursday, February 23, 2012
  7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. (PT) 
   
  7:00 p.m. Reception
  7:30 p.m. Official program begins, with opening remarks by Dr. Jack Kitts
  7:45 - 8:15 p.m. Patient as Partners lead presentation including a panel discussion on patient engagement moderated by John G. Abbott
  8:15 p.m. Open Q&A
  8:30 p.m. Closing remarks
   
Where:  Fairmont Hotel, 900 W Georgia St.

NOTE: Dr. Jack Kitts and John G. Abbott will also be available for general interviews and comment on the current state of health care discussions between the federal and provincial governments on February 23 and February 24 (in-person or via telephone). To arrange an interview please contact Yeena Peng.

About the Health Council of Canada
Created by the 2003 First Ministers' Accord on Health Care Renewal, the Health Council of Canada is an independent national agency that reports on the progress of health care renewal. The Council provides a system-wide perspective on health care reform in Canada, and disseminates information on leading practices and innovation across the country. The Councillors are appointed by the participating provincial and territorial governments and the Government of Canada.

To download the full commentary (on February 23) visit: www.healthcouncilcanada.ca.

For further information:

For more information or to arrange an interview please contact:
Yeena Peng, Manager, Media Relations, Health Council of Canada
ypeng@healthcouncilcanada.ca, O:             416-480-7100      , C:             416-407-2635