What is Family Engagement?
Canuck Place families are at the center of our care. Our goal is to improve care for every patient and every family. Committed to person-centred care, we collaborate with families to ensure our services address their needs. By fully understanding their experiences, we improve health care for other children and families.
We want to hear from you. There are many family engagement opportunities through the year. Your feedback could help with fundraising or awareness campaigns. You might support our clinical program. Opportunities include photo and video shoots, speeches, surveys, and more.
Rights and responsibilities
As a child and family on the Canuck Place program, you will have our respect. We honour your rights as a person and a family. We acknowledge our responsibilities in providing services—and yours in receiving them.
- A right is a choice to decide on your own opinion, thoughts, feelings, expression, and entitlement to things
- A responsibility is a duty or obligation—something an individual should do to respect others and follow laws and rules
Children and Families at Canuck Place have:
- the Right to information
- the Right to choose
- the Right to privacy
- the Right to be included
- the Right to make decisions
- the Right to be safe
- the Right to be heard
- the Right to be themselves
- the Right to have their needs met: Physically, Spiritually, Emotionally, Educationally, Developmentally, and Socially
Family & Patient Engagement Advisors
Canuck Place Family & Patient Engagement Advisors provide patient and families with a peer-to-peer relationship to help navigate the healthcare system. They are also here to listen to your family’s experience and hear your ideas and suggestions on how to improve Canuck Place programs and services. If you wish to remain anonymous, they will keep your input confidential. Sara and Dana are part of the Canuck Place team and they are parents of children with medical complexity. They understand the journey, and their lived experience helps shape how they work with you.
They would love to hear from you:
- Do you have feedback you would love to provide?
- Do you need advocacy and support in navigating the healthcare system?
- Are you interested in connecting with other Canuck Place families?
- Do you want to connect and share your family’s experience?
Reach out to Sara or Dana anytime, they are here to support you.
Family Engagement Framework
To build a new model of partnership, Canuck Place has created a Patient Family Engagement Framework. The Framework was developed by the Family Engagement Coalition, a group comprised of Canuck Place families, staff, and external healthcare partners.
The purpose of the Family Engagement Framework is to provide structure for consistent, safe, and respectful engagement with families and to ensure your voice is represented throughout all areas of our organization.
Family Advisory Council (FAC)
The Family Advisory Council provides direct feedback and input into Canuck Place.
Membership is comprised of up to 13 individuals, one of whom is a Canuck Place Board member. These individuals belong to families whose children are receiving or have received Canuck Place services. They are representative of the province and the Canuck Place programs offered.
For more information on the FAC and for current opportunities, please email [email protected].
Featured family storytelling
We partner with families to share their stories and help support fundraising for Canuck Place care. Family storytelling helps us provide information on pediatric palliative care, the impact this care has on families, and why donor support is important. Our family partners are featured in communications and marketing materials throughout the year, including social media, website, print media, videos, digital ads, and more.
If you have questions about what’s involved in sharing your Canuck Place experience, please email Lisa Pratt for more information.
Family feedback
Canuck Place families have a direct impact on the services we deliver. We welcome and encourage all feedback.
If you have questions, concerns, or comments about Canuck Place care, please first discuss them with your health-care team. If you feel your rights are not being met, we encourage you to speak to the manager or program director for assistance.
You are welcome to complete an online Feedback Form. We also have printed forms available in our family suites, dining areas, and upon request at our front desks. All concerns will be taken seriously and followed up.