ACH celebrated its 12th annual Patient and Family Centred Care Week November 4th to November 10th. This year's theme was "Partnership Makes a World of Difference". The week brought back the energy of pre-COVID years, with great participation from staff and patients and families.

The week was launched with a wonderful choir performance from a group from the New West Society followed by cake for everyone.

This year, 22 teams entered the PFCC Week Team Challenge, decorating a wooden circle to represent the theme. it was really hard to choose a favorite from the variety of unique circles on display. Throughout the week, staff and patients and families voted for their favorite and judges rated each entry based on a set criterion.

First Place

Eating, Feeding, and Swallowing Service

Second Place

Mental Health Patient

Care Unit

Third Place

Team Harmonious (Health Information Management)

Patients and Families sent in the names of 81 staff, physicians and volunteers to be recognized as Partnership Champions. Each champion received a certificate with the reasons they were nominated and a button to wear during the week.

During PFCC Week, patient and families joined managers and site leaders to walk around an area of the hospital to acknowledge staff, physicians, and volunteers for all they do. Over 1100 treat packages were distributed on 17 walkabouts that covered all the corners of the hospital.

Throughout the week, interactive displays were in the main gathering space encouraging reflection about partnership in heatlhcare.

By the end of the week, our Partnership Tree was full of colourful circles with descriptions of what partnership means to staff, patients and families. There were also some creative decorating of people from the craft table and dots on the world map from all over representing where people have family.

We ended the week with a celebration where we honoured the staff champions and announced the winners of the team challenge. A parent of an ACH patient, Kristina Findlay, shared these beautiful words of gratitude for ACH staff and physicians.

“I can say with confidence that we as a family not just my son, not just my daughter, that WE as a family have had the best here. There have been difficult moments, dark spaces, heartbreaking setbacks and struggle. Times where I as a Mum had no answers for my child. No answers for myself. This is when I say thank you to you. For all the times you have whispered courage to my heart whether it be a wink, the squeeze of my hand, the passing of a tissue or the warmth of a hug. … Please, allow this thanks to wash over you, let it sink deeply into your hearts. The best kind of humans do not hide their humanity and YOU, ARE. THE. BEST.” 

PFCC Week started with the first ACH Advisory Council Summit on Saturday, November 4th with 59 people in attendance. Members from the three ACH advisory councils - the Family Advisory Council, CAYAC (Child and Youth Advisory Council), and the Safety Family Advisory Council - joined leaders from ACH and AHS/Calgary Zone leaders and consultants to network together and learn about the advisory role. Participants valued the opportunity to learn from each other and the presenters and are enthusiastic about making this an annual event!

This short course gives healthcare providers knowledge to help identify when someone has a speech, language or hearing need and how to support them with practical tools and strategies. In practice, this knowledge will have an immediate impact on a person’s safety, quality of life, experience, and their health outcomes. This course can be found on MyLearningLink by searching “Communication Access”.

Additional information and resources about communication access are available on the Alberta Health Services website (also available to the public).  

Children's Healthcare Canada has a solutions-focused podcast and interview series, situated at the crossroads of children's healthcare, system improvement, and leadership. The host, Dr. Katherine Smart chats with child health and system leaders who tackle wicked problems and discuss ideas to inform the development of innovative and integrated health systems serving children and youth.

Recent episodes include:

Integrating Pediatric Social Determinants of Health for Children in Canada

Navigating the Child and Youth Mental Health Crisis: Challenges and Opportunities

May you and your family have a wonderful holiday season full of surprises, treats, and fun!

See you in the new year!