The provincial Ministry of Health wants information from the public about the health care system.
The Patient Voices Network is led by ImpactBC, in cooperation with Patients as Partners.
The initiative works to gather feedback and comments from patients, their families and other stakeholders.
“It’s a high priority to involve patients in the changes to health care,” said Carol Stathers, Interior Health liaison with Patient Voices.
She said the initiative is looking at how services are delivered and how patients access those services.
Program organizers are interested in getting comments and feedback from a wide range of people representing all ages and all ethic backgrounds, from frequent health care users to those who seldom need health services.
“We’re all patients at some point in our lives,” she said.
She said those who are interested in participating can sign up at www.patientvoices.ca.
Some of those who are in the network will meet once a month while others will meet occasionally or provide feedback from home, Stathers said.
She added that there is a focus on self care.
While the program primarily brings feedback about how the health care system works, she said those who participate can also become much more familiar and comfortable with health care.
“The more informed patients certainly lessen the burden on our health care system,” she said.
At present, 90 patients have gone through the system to become part of Patient Voices.
Those interested in registering are asked to contact www.patientvoices.ca or call 1-888-742-1772.