British Columbia's Patient Voices Network - Ten Year Anniversary Annual Report

[Carolyn Canfield]

It's hard to believe that ten years have passed since the fledgling Patient Voices Network (PVN) warmly welcomed me to patient partnership work. What a fabulous history has blossomed for the network --and for me!! I'm delighted to say we are both thriving

The PVN patient engagement network functions at arms length with funding from the provincial Ministry of Health. These days it is secure under a co-governance model: oversight through a large 50/50 committee co-chaired by a patient leader and a professional director and supported by talented staff members within the BC Patient Patient Safety and Quality Council.

Amazingly, over 1,200 volunteers have signed up to consider partnership opportunities every month from all across British Columbia. Healthcare delivery organizations of every kind have learned to develop their capacity to engage patients and caregivers as valued partners. PVN isn't the only game in town, as some of the health regions have their own recruitment and supportive infrastructure. The rise of patient partnership in research is developing its own supportive resources, thanks to SPOR, the national Strategy for Patient Oriented Research. But without the Patient Voices Network of enthusiastic volunteers, patient partnership in British Columbia would never have achieved so much and influenced so many across Canada and around the world.

Happy Birthday PVN!!!

Here is the 2019/2020 Patient Voices Network annual report. You might find quite a bit to interest you, might even inspire your bright ideas for supporting patient partnership in improving healthcare in your corner of your own province. Thanks to all the PVN volunteers who have contributed to this wonderful achievement.

[Alies Maybee]

PVN has been such a leader in patient engagement like many things that BC does in healthcare. What an experience to go through the ups and downs over the last 10 years to where it is now.

[Toby Stewart]

Thank you Carolyn... and all of your patient advisory colleagues for 'groundbreaking' engagement/partnership on our 'Left Coast' -- LOL!
As a non-medical relative 'newbie' to patient/family/public 'engagement', I still have much to learn, but with support from groups such as yours and PAN, and with the encouragement and support from some very dedicated staff people employed in our healthcare systems, we are seeing visible beneficial progress and greater sensitivity for patients.
Congrats on your first decade PVN!