Mandate of the Patient, Client and Family Advisory Council

The PCFAC’s mandate is to contribute to the development of the Archipel Ontario Health Team’s programs, services and initiatives. The goal is to improve care delivery, as well as the experience and quality of life of our populations. The committee also plays an active role in patient, client and family engagement initiatives.

Composition of the Patient, Client and Family Advisory Council

The PCFAC is made up of 12 to 15 people from the population we serve. These people are chosen to represent the diversity of Archipel’s clienteles. The inclusion of patients, clients and their families allows us to benefit from their diverse expertise and lived experience, and to integrate them into our decision-making processes.

Responsibilities of the Patient, Client and Family Advisory Council

• Promote meaningful engagement of patients, clients and their families within Archipel OHT, that is, participate in the planning, adoption, deployment and monitoring of the community engagement strategy.  
• Contribute to the recruitment and engagement of new committee members, ensuring representation from Archipel’s diverse populations. 
• Define parameters for including the perspectives and experiences of patients, clients and their families into initiatives to better integrate care across the region and beyond.  
• Provide advice and make recommendations for improving access to healthcare and service delivery. 
• Make recommendations on policies and standards guiding Archipel OHT initiatives in patient care, with a particular focus on patient and family engagement. 
• Recommend strategies for training, support and recognition of caregivers.
• Work in partnership and participate in co-design activities with Archipel OHT staff, working groups, other committees and partners. 
• Establish relationships and collaborate with other Patient and Family Advisory Committees in Ottawa, Prescott-Russell, as well as regionally and provincially, where appropriate. 

PCFAC activities and achievements

The Patient, Client and Family Advisory Council usually meets once a month. The committee works on ad hoc projects, collaborates with other committees and participates in external activities.

• Recommendations for a fair and equitable OHT expansion process with Prescott-Russell. 
• Participation in the Patient Portal and Primary Care Engagement project.  
• Discussion and surveys to better identify and articulate the needs of patients and caregivers regarding access to their personal information in primary care.  
• Development of welcome, orientation and continuing education program packages for committees and workgroup members to support the engagement of patients, clients, families and caregivers. 
• Participation of a patient-partner and Archipel staff members in a conference held at the University of Ottawa on the mental health of people from Black communities in Canada. 
• Participation of four members in the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) Health Summit attended by some 700 people in Ottawa and online in August 2023. 
• Participation in the Mental Health and Addictions, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Health System Navigation Project workgroups. 
• Participation in the Navigation Committee and in the development of a consultation process with community members. 

How to become a member of the Patient, Client and Family Advisory Council?

PCFAC members are appointed for a two-year term. Vacancies, if any, are posted below. 

If you’d like to get involved in patient and family advocacy, but don’t want to be a committee member, you could participate on an occasional basis by completing surveys or joining a discussion group on a particular topic. To see other opportunities, visit For patients and families > Get involved.

Mission of the Primary Care Network

The mission of the Primary Care Network (PCN) is to liaise with and represent primary care providers on the Archipel Executive Committee. The PCN advises the Executive Committee, sub-committees and working groups on primary care-related issues such as human resources shortage, socio-economic pressures and the growing needs of the patient population. 

Composition of the Primary Care Network

The PCN has a dozen members: primary care clinicians and administrators as well as paramedics from urban and rural areas and from different practice models. Two members of the PCN, including at least one practitioner, are voting members of Archipel’s Executive Committee.

Mandate of the Navigation Advisory Committee

The Navigation Advisory Group's mandate is to fully understand the obstacles that hinder navigation as well as the solutions that promote better organization, coordination and integration of related functions and activities. The ultimate goal is to improve the navigation experience through a more human, flexible and efficient approach.

Membership of the Navigation Advisory Committee

The 16-member provider-based navigation “champions” also include two patient representatives as well as equal representation between urban and rural regions. The multi-hierarchical membership represents the following sectors:

• Acute and continuing care 
• Home care and community support services 
• Mental health and addictions 
• Primary and community care 

Responsibilities of the Navigation Advisory Committee

• Review organizational processes and structures, and provider relationships to help bring change in critical aspects of the current system. 
• Improve knowledge of individual and collective perceptions and understanding relative to what navigation is including who does it, how, when, and where.   
• Identify and implement the most effective navigation-related improvements and strategies through a change management approach and solutions anchored in people and systems.

Activities and Achievements of the Navigation Advisory Committee

The Navigation Advisory Group usually meets on a monthly basis, cooperates with other committees and consults with subject-matter experts on a regular basis. 

• Development and launch of the Archipel Navigation and Referral Network. Thanks to the portal designed by Caredove, it is now easier to find the care and services offered by more than 30 partner organizations. Read a news story on the launch of the Archipel Navigation Network.
• Engagement and contribution of over 35 partners from all sectors representing both rural and urban providers in the co-design of a Navigation Change Management Toolbox. 
• Holding of a variety of co-design consultations, working sessions with subject matter experts, over 40 one-on-one sessions with partner-providers, as well as multiple brainstorming sessions with East Region OHT navigation leads. 
• Focus on “people-side” of navigation and the individual and collective roles in generating a navigation experience whereby access and transitions of care and services are more coordinated and integrated.

If you would like to get involved in patient and family advocacy, but don’t want to be a committee member, you could participate on an occasional basis by completing surveys or joining a discussion group on a particular topic. To see other opportunities, visit For Patients and Families > Get involved.

Mandate of the Equity, Quality and Sustainability Advisory Committee

The mandate of the Advisory Committee on Equity, Quality and Sustainability is to recommend, advise and guide the Archipel OHT on equity and quality improvement initiatives. 

Composition of the Equity, Quality and Sustainability Advisory Committee

The committee is made up of 8 to 12 people, including Archipel partners and members, patient-partners, people from deserving groups, and representatives from various healthcare sectors, community services and the French-speaking community. 

Responsibilities of the Equity, Quality and Sustainability Advisory Committee

• Guide the Archipel OHT Common Quality Improvement Plan and its key performance indicators, and report on results. 
• Develop and implement equity and quality standards, as well as an evaluation framework for Archipel. 
• Make evidence-based recommendations on equity and quality improvement priorities to support the delivery of quality care. 
• Identify and prioritize quality improvement initiatives aligned with Archipel’s objectives and provincial initiatives.  
• Ensure that relevant stakeholders are represented and involved in equity and quality improvement initiatives. 
• Collaborate with other committees and working groups.

Activities and achievements of the Equity, Quality and Sustainability Advisory Committee

• Development of an evaluation framework based on inclusion, equity and sustainability for Archipel OHT.
• Management of the quality improvement plans in collaboration with our partners.

How to become a member of the Equity, Quality and Sustainability Advisory Committee

The committee members are appointed for a two-year term. Vacancies, if any, are posted below. 

If you’d like to get involved in patient and family advocacy, but don’t want to be a committee member, you could participate on an occasional basis by completing surveys or joining a discussion group on a particular topic. To see other opportunities, visit For Patients and Families > Get Involved

Mandate of the Digital Health Committee

The mandate of the Digital Health Committee is to support the adoption of new digital practices and technologies that enhance the experience of patients and care providers. The committee also aims to expand access to virtual options to improve population health, increase value and promote health equity.

Composition of the Digital Health Committee

The 10 members of the committee are “champions” of Digital Health within their organizations and within Archipel. The common goal is to support the fulfillment of a modern, fully interconnected healthcare system. 

Committee members represent these sectors and groups:

• Hospital environment 
• Community services 
• Primary care 
• Representatives from Ontario Health East 

Responsibilities of the Digital Health Committee

• Provide a forum for strategic direction, sharing best practices and identifying digital health needs and priorities.  
• Discuss funding opportunities and prepare bids. 
• Contribute to the implementation and evaluation of policies and procedures as well as data governance (information management, privacy protection). 
• Collect, use and share information to achieve better patient care and outcomes.

Activities and achievements of the Digital Health Committee

• The Digital Health Committee usually meets once a month. The committee facilitates a discussion panel and implements various projects in collaboration with other committees or partners.  
• Development of the Digital Health Journey to define major orientations and priorities, involve target populations and produce results.