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John Cabral - Interim Seniors’ Advocate

November 7, 2014

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• The Office of the Alberta Health Advocates opened on April 1, 2014

• The Office includes three Advocates: • Health Advocate (new) • Seniors’ Advocate (new) • Mental Health Patient Advocate (existing)

• Each of the Advocates reports to the Minister of Health as required by their individual legislation/Ministerial Order

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• Common point of contact for all three Advocates

• Allows collaboration on complaints that involve overlapping jurisdiction between Advocates

• Administrative staff shared by all three Advocates

• Shared information on resources and referrals is under development

• Shared database for tracking files and issues, as authorized

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• Health Advocate: Deborah E. Prowse, Q.C.

• Appointed under the Alberta Health Act, which was proclaimed in January 2014

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• Establishes Health Advocate and Charter

• Sets out roles and responsibilities of regional health authorities, provincial health boards, professional colleges, and the Minister of Health related to the AHA and the Charter

• Sets out process for public input into Regulations under the AHA

Health Act

• Guides the actions of regional health authorities, provincial health boards, operators, health providers, professional colleges, Albertans, and other persons specified in the Regulations

• Sets out the expectations when Albertans interact with the healthcare system

Health Charter

AHS

Patient/Family Centered Care

Respect & Dignity

Participation

Collaboration

Information Sharing

Respect & Dignity -Be treated with respect and dignity -Raise concerns without fear of retribution

Information Sharing -Have confidentiality and privacy respected -Be informed in ways I will understand to make informed decisions -Receive information on the health system and education about healthy living and wellness

Participation -Have my health status, social and economical circumstances and personal beliefs and values acknowledged -Have timely and reasonable to safe, high quality health services and care -Have access to team based primary care services -Participate fully in my health and health care -Be supported and helped to find & access health services

Collaboration -On system basis being included by health leaders and in such issues as health care facility design and professional education -Considered in economic, fiscal and social policies on public health, wellness and prevention by government

(continued) • Responsibilities:

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Education and awareness of the Charter

Assist people in finding appropriate resolution mechanisms to have their concerns addressed and resolved

Inform people about existing health related programs and resources.

Investigate complaints that a person failed to act in a manner consistent with the Charter

Make recommendations and report to Minister if recommendations not acted upon

Seniors’ Advocate

• Why do we need a Seniors’ Advocate?

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Seniors’ Advocate • Interim Advocate: John Cabral

• Appointed by Ministerial Order under the Government Organization Act

• Responsibilities: • Public Assurance Functions:

• To support seniors and their families and caregivers by referring concerns and complaints to the appropriate channels

• Inspection of Provincial Facilities

• Investigation of Reports of Abuse

• Quality and Safety Review

• Public Education • To assist in providing public education on the rights, interests and needs of seniors

including matters such as elder abuse, aging in place, age friendly communities, older workers and ageism

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Seniors’ Advocate • Navigation and Referral:

• To provide information and referrals to seniors and their families and caregivers regarding government funded seniors’ health, continuing care, and social support programs and services

• Collaboration and Engagement:

• To proactively seek seniors’ views regarding issues that affect them.

• To liaise with components of the existing network of government funded seniors’ supports and services.

• Advice on Systemic Issues: • To provide advice/guidance to the Minister regarding potential improvements to

seniors programs and services based on insights and perspectives gained from interactions with seniors, families and caregivers.

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Mental Health Patient Advocate

• Advocate: Carol Robertson Baker, BA, MEd

• Appointed under the Mental Health Act

• Assists persons subject to admission or renewal

certificates or subject to a community treatment

order, and those acting on their behalf

25th Anniversary in 2015!

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MHPA Responsibilities

• Promote and protect legislated rights • Investigate complaints • Initiate investigations, which may be in response

to complaints or independent of any particular complaint • Make recommendations as needed regarding the

treatment, care and rights of individuals • Conduct education and advocacy work related to

individuals’ rights under the Mental Health Act

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MHPA Investigations Conducted 2012/13

A total of 539 investigations were conducted

10.4% of the complaints were supported

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• The Office received 600 calls in the first 3 months of

operations (April – June 2014) • Over 50% fielded by Mental Health Patient Advocate • 10% fielded by Seniors Advocate • Remaining fielded by Health Advocate

•Next steps: • Recruitment of additional staff • Ongoing work on policy/operational

issues for Advocates

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Office of the Alberta Health Advocates

12th Floor, 10035 108 Street

Edmonton, Alberta T5J 3E1

Telephone: 780 422-1812 Toll Free: 310-0000

www.albertahealthadvocates.ca

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