Archipel Client-Partners at the Canadian Medical Association Health Summit

In August 2023, Diane Hupé and Pierre Benoit, co-chairs of Archipel’s Patient, Client and Family Advisory Council (PCFAC), and two other members of the committee attended the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) Health Summit in Ottawa.

The CMA Summit brought together more than 700 people: health care providers and specialists, representatives of various groups, clients or users of the system, including patients and caregivers. The theme of the conference, What Health Care Should Be, engaged participants in national conversations about tough challenges and solutions.

Both retired and very active, Diane Hupé and Pierre Benoit have previous lived experience as caregivers, one of the requirements for sitting on the PCFAC. The Council’s mandate is to help shape Archipel’s programs, services and initiatives through the client’s perspective. Playing an active role in community engagement initiatives and ensuring that the patient experience and quality of life are central to decision-making are also part of the mandate.

Pierre Benoit pursued a career in teaching at the primary and secondary levels, followed by adult education and consulting in health and safety. He served on the board of directors of a financial institution and has been president of the “Rendez-vous des aînés francophones d’Ottawa” (RAFO) since 2019.

“Our healthcare system is going through major transformation. I think it’s crucial that the system hears and understands the patient’s voice. As a caregiver, I saw the importance of being able to participate in a person’s own care plan, which is why I chose to join the PCFAC.”

Diane Hupé had a career in healthcare in Eastern Ontario and Ottawa. She held clinical positions in intensive care and palliative care, followed by various positions in leadership and administration. She has worked in a variety of healthcare environments, including acute hospital care, continuing care and home and community care. Since her retirement, she has served on a number of committees and boards, including The Council on Aging of Ottawa, the Champlain Community Care Access Centre and the Champlain Local Integrated Health Network.

“Today, I see the healthcare system from a completely different viewpoint. As a patient or caregiver, we see the need for a shift in the culture of the system. Rather than working for the patient, the healthcare system needs to go further and work with the patient as an equal partner.”

In participating in the Summit, Pierre Benoit wanted to learn more about the global healthcare system and its issues. “I found out that the challenges are pretty much the same everywhere. But to be able to serve our populations well, we must know them better and have access to reliable data.” He was particularly interested in the discussions on performance measures, social determinants of health and the funding of community services. “Traditionally, indicators are used to demonstrate that care is being provided, but they don’t take into account the patient’s point of view. Did they actually receive the care? And health encompasses so much more than just care. Today, we have to consider the environmental impact, equity, diversity and sustainability in our decisions. And when a patient leaves the hospital, community services take over. This sector should get more funding and focus its energies on patients, rather than constantly seek funding. Our Council can intervene in all these areas and ensure that the patient’s voice is part of the decision-making process.”

Diane Hupé also shares her thoughts on the event. “I’ve spent my life in healthcare, so I’m very concerned with the evolution of the system. At the Summit, we could feel and see the importance given to patients. In fact, our Council could draw inspiration from their Patients Included document, which is a written commitment to the inclusion of patients and caregivers.” The presentations on the balance between private and public healthcare and on systemic Indigenous racism in British Columbia were topics that caught her attention. “We need to understand the implications of private healthcare in order to make informed recommendations or decisions. There has to be a framework to counter the risks. We could also learn from what has been done in British Columbia to really include the voice of Indigenous patients and raise staff awareness of their realities. Here, we have immigrant populations with different realities that we need to take into account.”

Diane and Pierre agree that their participation in the Health Summit was a learning experience. They also point out that their committee is still at an early stage and that they need more members. Therefore, they invite anyone who has experience as a patient, caregiver, family member or client to join the Council or to share their experiences by participating in consultations or surveys.

About the of Archipel Patient, Client and Family Advisory Council

The members of the Patient, Client and Family Advisory Council (PCFAC) are equal partners in the Archipel OHT, bringing their knowledge, experience, ideas and perspectives to ensure that the patient is at the very heart of the healthcare system. If you are interested in joining the PCFAC or would like more information, please send an email to nadiakamikazi@eso-archipel.on.ca.

Top photo: Diane Hupé and Pierre Benoit, co-chairs of Archipel’s Patient, Client and Family Advisory Council (PCFAC)