Tuesday, July 07, 2015
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
Help Ontario Recruit Its First Patient Ombudsman
Ontario is inviting people across the province to share their ideas on what skills, experience and personality traits they would like to see in the province's first Patient Ombudsman.
Beginning today, until August 31, 2015, people can go online to help recruit Ontario's first Patient Ombudsman by identifying which qualities they think are most important for the role. The province will use this information to guide its selection of Ontario's Patient Ombudsman.
The Patient Ombudsman will assist patients and their caregivers who have not had their concerns resolved through existing processes at hospitals, long-term care homes or community care access centres. Key functions of the Patient Ombudsman will include:
- Addressing unresolved complaints from current and former hospital patients, long-term care home residents, community care access centre clients and their caregivers
- Investigating health-sector organizations in response to unresolved complaints, as necessary
- Making recommendations to health-sector organizations following investigations.
To further strengthen the voice of patients in Ontario's health care system, the province is also improving the patient relations process in hospitals. While many public hospitals already have patient relations departments and processes, as of Sept. 1, 2015, all public hospitals will be required to have a staff member responsible for overseeing the patient relations process as well as other measures to improve patient relations.
Establishing a Patient Ombudsman is part of the government's plan to build a better Ontario through its Patients First: Action Plan for Health Care. It will provide patients with faster access to the right care; better home and community care; the information they need to live healthy; and a health care system that is sustainable for generations to come.
Quick Facts:
- The Patient Ombudsman will be appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council and housed in Health Quality Ontario.
- The work of the Patient Ombudsman will complement the work of other existing organizations in the health system that handle complaints, including the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and the Health Services Appeal and Review Board.
- Encouraging Ontarians to share their ideas about their health care system is part of the government’s Open Government commitment.
Background Informaiton:
Additional Resources:
Quotes:
"The establishment of the first Patient Ombudsman is a big step forward in our patients-first approach to health care. By hearing from patients directly about the qualities they want to see in their Patient Ombudsman, we can help ensure that the new Patient Ombudsman is the strongest possible representative for patients and their needs."
— Dr. Eric Hoskins, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care
"The Ontario Hospital Association and its members welcome the government’s next steps on selecting a Patient Ombudsman for the province. The establishment of a Patient Ombudsman will enhance the patient experience by improving complaints mechanisms for patients, as well as providing a forum for identifying and addressing systemic healthcare challenges."
— Anthony Dale, President and CEO of the Ontario Hospital Association
Media Contacts:
David Jensen
Communications and Marketing Division
416-314-6197
media.moh@ontario.ca
For public inquiries call ServiceOntario, INFOline
(Toll-free in Ontario only)
1-866-532-3161
Media Line
Toll-free: 1-888-414-4774
GTA: 416-314-6197
media.moh@ontario.ca
Shae Greenfield
Minister’s Office
416-325-5230
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