Children’s & Women’s Hospital seeking new members for Patient Family Advisory Council
Advisory councils such as the one at Children’s & Women’s Hospital promote effective and respectful partnerships among patients, families, and clinical staff members while increasing understanding and cooperation among those groups.
By Casandra Andrews
[email protected]
To continuously improve patient and family experiences when they receive healthcare services, Children’s & Women’s Hospital utilizes a Patient Family Advisory Council. The group is now accepting applications for new members to better serve children and their caregivers.
The group was established to more fully understand the needs of patients, families and caregivers who spend time at the region’s only hospital for children and women, and to streamline communication between parents and hospital leaders, among other goals.
“We strive to give patients and their caregivers a voice as we work daily toward a more family-centered care environment,” said council member Rachel Stanley, RN, a nurse in the neonatal intensive care unit and the parent of a child with long-term healthcare needs. “We are looking for families who have children or a child with complex health issues who either frequently visit our hospital or see multiple providers within the health system.”
Advisory councils such as the one at Children’s & Women’s Hospital promote effective and respectful partnerships among patients, families, and clinical staff members while increasing understanding and cooperation among those groups.
Kim Wagner, who leads the Mapp Child & Family Life Program, said the application process includes an interview and background check. Family members are asked why they want to be part of the group and how they can contribute. “All feedback is useful,” Wagner said, “and needed for true improvement to occur.”
Those interested in joining the council may contact: [email protected]
