Patient and Family Engagement

To build a health care system that is truly patient-centred, we need a clear understanding of what people across Ontario need, what their priorities are, and how they feel about the health care services being delivered. 

Our annual business plan sets out organizational goals, priorities and key activities, and guides our work as we build for the future. As we work towards achieving these goals, engagement helps ensure that our actions are guided by a commitment to equity and person-centred care.

Patient and Family Advisors

Patient and Family Advisors help us better understand the unique needs of the people using our health care system.  Advisors can be individuals who receive care or those who support them. This includes people with lived experience as patients, caregivers, loved ones, and members of the public. They share ideas on how to connect and coordinate the health care system, provide feedback to improve the patient and family experience, and offer input on health care planning and delivery.  

Learn about the regional and province-wide opportunities for advisors to engage and share experiences with us.

• Patient and Family Engagement Network: This virtual network is for anyone who uses health care services in Ontario and wants to partner and provide input on building a better health care system. Please note our network is currently at capacity. We will reopen opportunities to join our network as space becomes available. For more information, please contact our patient and family engagement program. 
• Patient and Family Advisory Council of the CEO: Our CEO and senior leaders are advised by this group on many programs at Ontario Health.
• Regional Councils: Ontario Health has six regions, each with their own patient and family advisory council. Regional council members provide insights into regional health care needs and system improvement opportunities.
• Cancer Program Patient and Family Engagement: Patient and Family Advisors provide feedback and ideas on cancer care to help improve the experience and outcomes of patients and families navigating the cancer system.
• Renal Program Patient and Family Engagement: Patient and Family Advisors provide feedback and ideas on kidney care to help improve the experience and outcomes of patients and care partners navigating the renal care system.
• Mental Health and Addictions Engagement: People with lived experience with mental health and addictions provide feedback and ideas to help improve the experience and outcomes for people in Ontario navigating the mental health and addictions care system.

Responsibilities of a Patient and Family Advisor

An advisor or person with lived experience shares expertise from their experience with Ontario’s health care system and provides feedback on the quality of care received.

Ontario Health offers a wide range of engagement opportunities. You can express interest in opportunities based on your interest and availability. Some of the ways you can help include:

• providing input on policies and programs as a working group or committee member
• sharing your personal story at events
• participating on a Patient and Family Advisory Council to inform various strategic initiatives
• completing questionnaires or surveys
• participating in focus groups
• user testing digital health tools

Who Can Apply

To become a Patient and Family Advisor, you must:

• be 18 years of age or older
• live in Ontario
• have a willingness to volunteer your time in this role (you can commit as much time as you are able to give)
• have experience with our health care system as a patient, family member, care partner, or loved one
• enjoy working with a diverse group of people
• be respectful of others and their opinions
• be comfortable speaking in a group
• be solution-oriented
• be passionate about improving the Ontario health care system

Tools and Resources

Find tools and resources to support you in patient partnering that can effectively drive change in the health care system.

Contact Us

If you would like more information about patient and family engagement opportunities with Ontario Health, please send us a message using our contact form.

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