Patient & Family Advisory Committee

("PFAC")

What is a Patient & Family Advisor?

Patient and Family Advisors (PFAs) play a role in helping hospitals become patient- and family-centred in the delivery of their services.

PFAs are a diverse group of people who enjoy working with others and contributing ideas, while being able to hear and balance different perspectives with compassion and respect.

PFAs can be patients, residents, clients; their family members/loved ones, volunteers, Care Partners, or individuals who would like to see positive change in the care and services NSHN offers to our communities.

What would my role be as a PFA?
What responsibilities would I have?

At NSHN, active members of our Patient & Family Advisory Committee:

Serve as a communication channel and act with the overall goal of improving relationships between patients, clients, families and NSHN.
Establish a link between NSHN and the communities we serve.
Contribute ideas and suggestions that will enhance patient, resident, client and public involvement in health service planning and decision-making, so that the communities we serve have a voice in the delivery of health care services.
Provide constructive input into care programs, services and organizational processes, and advocate for the needs of patients, residents, clients and families from a broad perspective.
Tell their personal stories and share their points of view, but are also able to listen objectively to and appreciate the views and experiences of others.

PFAs are expected to be:

Respectful of others.
Comfortable speaking in a group and interacting with others.
Able to use their personal experiences constructively.

What do I need to know about being a PFA?

To be a successful PFA on our Patient and Family Advisory Committee (PFAC):

BE EMPATHETIC
You have an interest in and show concern for improving the healthcare experience for all patients, residents, clients, beyond your own experience.

BE ABLE TO ATTEND AND PARTICIPATE IN MEETINGS
To be able to participate effectively at scheduled meetings, it is recommended that you review all provided materials before each meeting. These materials are typically sent via email a week prior to each scheduled meeting. Regular attendance at meetings is required, with meetings occurring once monthly beginning in September through to the following June.

SHARE YOUR INSIGHTS
You have a positive approach and are interested in sharing information about your experiences in ways that will benefit others, while listening to and respecting different points of view.

COLLABORATE
You are able to communicate and collaborate with individuals whose backgrounds, experiences, and lifestyles may be different from your own.

What happens during a typical PFAC meeting?

As a PFA you get the unique experience and opportunity at PFAC meetings to interact and collaborate with key members of the NSHN Team such as:

Patient Relations Officer
Chief Nursing Executive
Department Managers
Chief Communications Officer

You may be involved in discussions on topics such as:

policies and procedures that affect patients and their loved ones
new programming and services
construction and renovation projects
quality improvement reports and initiatives.

Click the image to download a copy of NSHN's PFAC Application

Click the image to download a copy of the PFAC Information Booklet