Frequently Asked Questions
- Why was the Council created?
- What does the Council do?
- How will the Council work with stakeholders?
- When does the Council meet?
- Where does the Council meet?
- How long do members serve on the Council?
- How many people will sit on the Council
- Who can be a member of the Council?
- Is the Council independent from government?
- How is the Council different from the Patient Safety Task Force?
- How is the Council different from the Patient Care Quality Review Board?
- Can I submit a care quality complaint to the Patient Safety and Quality Council?
1. Why was the Council created?
In 2007/08, the Ministry of Health Services held stakeholder consultations to discuss the development of a provincial approach to patient safety. One of the key elements identified was the need for one organization to serve as a focal point for patient safety and quality improvement in British Columbia.
In the February 2008 Speech from the Throne, the provincial government committed to establishing a patient safety and quality council to “enhance patient safety, reduce errors, promote transparency and identify best practices to improve patient care.”
2. What does the Council do?
The Council has a number of key roles and responsibilities, including:
- System-wide leadership and coordination – providing advice and recommendations; leading and coordinating the development of safety and quality initiatives; and bringing together stakeholders as required in response to emerging safety and quality issues.
- Measurement and evaluation – monitoring, assessing and reporting on the quality of health services; assisting in the development of safety and quality indicators; and fostering the development of best practices.
- Policy, regulation and legislation – providing advice regarding health care policy, legislation and regulation to advance the patient safety agenda in B.C.
- Education and professional development – promoting improvement in patient safety and care quality through education and training programs. This includes supporting the work of the Academic Chair for Patient Safety at UBC.
- Information and communication – engaging the public in their own care, and developing programs and activities for this purpose; as well as developing ways to improve transparency and accountability of the health system to patients.
3. How will the Council work with stakeholders?
The Council will work in collaborative partnership with key stakeholders from around the province. It will support health authorities and other service delivery partners in their continuous efforts to enhance patient safety and improve the quality of patient care.
4. When does the Council meet?
Council members meet four or five times per year, or more frequently depending on the work plan or at the discretion of the Council Chair.
5. Where does the Council meet?
Meetings are held in Vancouver.
6. How long do members serve on the Council?
Council members are eligible to serve terms of not more than two years, and may be reappointed to consecutive terms at the discretion of the Minister of Health Services.
7. How many people will sit on the council?
The Council consists of seven members – the Chair, four members, as well as two ex-officio members: a Ministry of Health Services representative and the UBC Academic Chair for Patient Safety.
8.Who can be a member of the Council?
Council members will generally be people with expertise and experience in patient safety and quality improvement, including:
- Extensive and recent clinical experience;
- Legal expertise;
- Expertise in patient safety, quality improvement, and clinical risk management in the health care system;
- Knowledge of best practice and implementation of innovation in the health care system;
- Knowledge of health services research, measurement and evaluation;
- Knowledge of clinical epidemiology; and
- Significant experience at a senior executive level within government or in the private or academic sectors in British Columbia.
9. Is the Council independent from government?
The Council operates at arm’s length from government, but is ultimately accountable to the Minister of Health Services. The Chair will report quarterly to the Minister, or more frequently as required.
10. How is the Council different from the Patient Safety Task Force?
The Council is a permanent body with dedicated staff, whereas the task force was established for the short-term, and as such, had no permanent mandate. In addition, the task force was not directly accountable to the Minister of Health Services.
11. How is the Council different from the Patient Care Quality Review Boards?
The review boards have been set up specifically to review patient complaints.
If a patient is dissatisfied with a health authority’s response to his/her complaint, then he/she can request that a review board look into the matter. A review may or may not result in recommendations pertaining to patient safety or quality improvement to the health authority.
If you wish to request a review of the health authority’s management of a complaint, please visit www.patientcarequalityreviewboard.ca.
12. Can I submit a care quality complaint to the Patient Safety and Quality Council?
No. If you would like to make a complaint regarding the quality of a health care service you received within a health authority, please contact the Patient Care Quality Office within that health authority.
If you have been unable to resolve your complaint through the Patient Care Quality Office, you may submit a review request to the Patient Care Quality Review Board.
