The senior management report at October's Northumberland Hills Hospital board meeting announced three new Patient and Family Advisory Council members.
The three were selected after the hospital's recent open call for interest for program opportunities aligned with their experience and areas of interest – Lisa van der Vinne of Cobourg in Surgical Services, Barry McMahon of Port Hope in the Intensive Care Unit and Alexis Smith of Colborne in the Baby Friendly Initiative and Maternal and Child Care.
The council has experienced steady growth since it was formed in December 2016. Members are now active at NHH in three ways – as equal partners on all core-program Quality and Practice Committees, on departmental assignments, and on special projects that are both corporate- and council-driven. They are a key part of decision making throughout the hospital, working with front-line staff, managers, physicians and board members on continuous improvement to the experience of those receiving care at NHH (and their families).
The monthly report spotlighted one recent project that reflected the input of inaugural council member David Harnden, a former patient of the Rehabilitation unit – an updated patient-family education brochure to enhance communication with patients and their families during their stay in the Inpatient Rehabilitation and Restorative Care units, developed by the Post-Acute Specialty Services Quality and Practice Committee.
With recent experience of their own at NHH, from surgical services to maternal-child care and caregiver support, the three newest council volunteers are looking forward to a more direct involvement ith staff, physicians and other caregivers to find more ways of enhancing the patient and family experience at NHH.
McMahon stepped forward because of his belief in volunteering.
Having recently given birth at NHH, Smith wants to lend her experience to enhance breastfeeding supports and services for new moms like herself.
Van der Vinne hopes to use her surgical-services experience to give back to the program and the professionals who supported her and, by extension, the community.
