Patient, Client, Caregiver and Community Engagement Opportunities

Do you live in Aurora, Newmarket, Georgina, East Gwillimbury or Bradford West Gwillimbury? Are you interested in informing and helping to improve the health of your community? If so, the Southlake Community Ontario Health Team wants to hear from you!

The Southlake Community Ontario Health Team is actively seeking patient, client, caregiver, and community members interested in sharing their experiences of using and/or interacting with health and social services to inform and improve the way people access and receive care.

The Patient, Client and Caregiver Partnership Council and Network both serve as platforms for the voice of patients, clients, family members, caregivers, and community members of the Southlake Community Ontario Health Team to be heard and engaged. A patient, client, caregiver, and community member partner is a person who brings their experience, along with the inclusion of all perspectives, especially the vulnerable populations, of what it is like to be a patient, client, family member or caregiver. The goals of the Partnership Council and Partnership Network is to co-design programs and collaborate on decision making and working groups for a common cause.  A partner looks at the strategic vision and trends in patient care to bring forward recommendations which provide important context and perspective to decision makers of the OHT.

The Southlake Community OHT is looking for passionate patient, client, caregiver, and community members partners to join the Council or Network.

Ideally, applicants should have lived experiences or perspectives associated with one or both of our first priority populations, which are (1) individuals with mental health and substance use challenges or (2) older adults with complex needs. You cannot be an employee, clinician or Board Member of one of the partner organizations (or an immediate family member of an employee/clinician/Board Member).

Opportunities to Get Involved

• Patient, Client and Caregiver Partnership Council: The Council serves as the voice of patient, clients, caregivers, and community members by supporting the strategic and operational implementation of the Southlake Community Ontario Health Team. Selected representatives will need to attend monthly Council meetings (2 hours monthly) as well as participate in working groups and projects of personal interest (can range from 1-2 hours weekly per working group or project). Please review the Patient, Client and Caregiver Partnership Council Role Description for more information.
• Patient, Client, Caregiver, and Community Member Partnership Network: The Partnership Network is made up of patients, clients, caregivers, and community members who have an interest in helping to improve the health of their communities. As a member of the network, individuals will be offered different engagement opportunities based on interest, experiences, and background. Being a part of the network provides individuals a more flexible option to be engaged with the Southlake Community Ontario Health Team, as opportunities to get involved are based on an individual’s choice.

How to Apply

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Patient, Client and Caregiver Partnership Council or Partnership Network, please complete and submit the expression of interest form.

Resources

If you would like to learn more more about the Southlake Community Ontario Health Team and the engagement opportunities, please see below:

• Getting to know Southlake Community OHT
• Patient, Client, Caregiver Partnership Engagement Framework
• Ontario Patient, Family, Caregiver Declaration of Values
• Patient, Client and Caregiver Partnership Council Role Description