Tag Archives: advocacy

Amplifying the Patient’s Voice

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Martha’s Rule is a new policy that aims to give patients and the patient’s families greater voice in the the care their loved one is receiving without the fear of retribution or the like. Had this rule existed in 2021, perhaps Martha’s outcome would have been very different.

As Martha’s mother said, “‘I desperately wish that I’d felt able, with no fear of being the target of ill-temper or condescension, to ask for a second opinion from outside the liver team when I became concerned about Martha’s deterioration.’”

Click here to read about Martha’s Rule.

Battle Won!

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Photo from CTV news article.

Destiny Robinson-Cooke has been fighting for over six years to get benefits related to her service dog, Sasha. Finally, on June 28, 2023, her battle was won.  Nevertheless, as Robinson Cooke correctly states, “‘A disabled person should not have to fight for a benefit they are entitled to.'” Click here to read the full article.

November 14 Community Gathering — Dementia Network Calgary

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What is advocacy?
Who is an advocate?
What do advocacy and being an advocate mean?

Find out at Dementia Network Calgary’s upcoming event.

Dementia Network Calgary: Community Gathering on Advocacy
Date: Wednesday, November 14, 2018
Time: 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Place: Renfrew Community Association

Click here to register for this event.

Another Chance

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Become a Patient Advocate

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    Do you reside in the Edmonton area?
    Are you a caring, empathetic, compassionate individual who is looking for a way to make a difference in the lives of others?

If your answer to the above questions is “Yes,” the Open Arms Patient Advocacy society is looking for you. Click here to read more about this exciting opportunity.

Difference Makers Wanted

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“Stakeholders within a system have within them the creativity and wisdom to confront even the most difficult challenge” –Juanita Brown

What are you doing on Thursday, March 29th from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. MST? Why not take part in this exciting opportunity to innovate our health system! Click here to register for this free event.

The Cost of Speaking Up?

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Oft times, patients and families are hesitant to express their complaints and concerns relating to a particular care facility. The source of this hesitation can be from a deep sense of fear – the fear of retaliation. While in most cases no negative repercussions result when a complaint or concern is raised, such is not the case in a long-term care facility in Ontario, Canada.

According to a retired hospital nurse and daughter of a resident at the care facility, she is no longer able to stay in her mother’s room while her mother is being cared for by the staff. The reason for this restriction is because of the complaints the daughter made about the substandard care and dangerous hygiene practices she witnessed. “You complain and this is the price you pay.” What does this say about the facility’s view of family presence?

Click here to read the full story.

Let Your Voice Be Heard

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On Tuesday, February 28th, Red Deer doctors held a public meeting to discuss the deficiencies at the Red Deer Regional Hospital.and the impact they were having on patients and the care they received. In 2014, there was a plan to address these issues, which included redeveloping the hospital. However, in late 2016, Alberta Health Services removed this redevelopment plan from its list of priorities. This they did even though the Red Deer Regional Hospital is the fourth busiest in the province, is in need of “96 more admitting beds, 8 more emergency room beds and three more operating rooms.” In a notice issued by the doctors, “‘If you find the treatment of central Albertans by policy-makers and government unacceptable and unfair, let your voice be heard.'” Click here to read more.

Did You Miss It?

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transformathon
The National Health Service in England hosted The People’s Transformation on Monday, November 28th. If you were unable to attend the event or missed some sessions, all is not lost. Recordings from the Transformathon will be accessible via the People’s Transformathon web page. They are sure to be worth watching, even if you attended the session live.