Archive for category: Updates

National Volunteer Week (April 27 to May 3, 2025) is a time to recognize and celebrate the millions of Canadians who selflessly give their time, talents, and voices to support their communities. Among these 24 million volunteers is a remarkable group of individuals whose impact is being felt every day across the Niagara region: the Patient/Client & Family/Caregiver (PCFC) Advisors of the NOHT-ÉSON.

Members of the PCFC Advisory Council

Jori Warren – PCFC Advisory Council Co-Lead
Ruth Stranges – PCFC Advisory Council Co-Lead
Patricia MacLaren
Tyler English
Livia Martin
Elizabeth Spaan
Jim Prescott
Dominic Ventresca
Andrea Hernandez Bueno
Ijeoma Michael

These dedicated advisors bring more than just their time—they bring invaluable lived experience, insight, and passion to every conversation, decision, and action that helps shape the future of our health and social services system. Their voices are heard not only at the NOHT-ÉSON’s Planning Table but also throughout its working groups, where their real-world perspectives inform strategic planning and drive better, more equitable outcomes for all Niagara residents.

Comprised of individuals from all walks of life, our PCFC Advisors reflect the rich diversity of the people we serve. Whether drawing from personal journeys through the health care system, professional expertise, or frontline caregiving experience, they are champions of change who hold us accountable to the people and communities at the heart of our mission.

Through the establishment of the PCFC Advisory Council, the NOHT-ÉSON has created a vital platform for ensuring that decisions are informed by the voices of those most impacted. This Advisory Council has become a powerful advocate for person- and family-centred care, shaping the strategic direction of our organization and reinforcing the principle that the best health systems are those built in collaboration with those who use them.

Our PCFC Advisory Council also works tirelessly to remove barriers to participation. Their goal is simple yet profound: to ensure that everyone—regardless of age, background, or ability—feels empowered to contribute to a better, more inclusive health and social services system. This level of commitment makes a lasting difference in the lives of individuals and families across Niagara.

From the leadership of the NOHT-ÉSON

“The Patient/Client & Family/Caregiver Advisors are the beating heart of our work. They bring wisdom, compassion, and courage to every table they join. Their lived experiences and insights remind us why we do what we do—and how we can do it better,” says Tara Galitz, Executive Director of the NOHT-ÉSON. “This National Volunteer Week, we recognize their unwavering dedication to improving care in Niagara. We are honoured to work alongside them.”

Frank Ruberto and Nadine Wallace, Co-Leads of the NOHT-ÉSON’s Planning Table, add: “Our PCFC Advisors are not just participants—they are leaders, advocates, and change-makers. Their presence at the Planning Table ensures our strategies are grounded in lived realities. Their courage to speak, question, and share is instrumental in building a truly responsive and inclusive system of care.”

During this upcoming National Volunteer Week, we extend our deepest gratitude to every member of the PCFC Advisory Council. Your leadership, resilience, and generosity inspire us. Thank you for the extraordinary difference you make—not only within the NOHT-ÉSON, but across the entire Niagara region.

Your voices are shaping a better tomorrow, and we couldn’t do it without you.

Niagara Falls, ON – Patients and families facing serious illnesses often feel unprepared and overwhelmed. To empower individuals with tools and strategies to navigate life-changing diagnoses, Niagara residents are encouraged to attend Navigating a Life-Changing Diagnosis: 7 Keys for More Choice and Control on the evening of Thursday, April 10 at the Club Italia Banquet Centre in Niagara Falls.

Designed for patients, caregivers, and the public, this event will feature Dr. Sammy Winemaker, a palliative care physician, and Dr. Hsien Seow, a leading health systems researcher. Drawing from decades of experience, the speakers will share their insights to improve people’s experiences with the health care system, live well despite uncertainty, and feel hopeful and prepared every step of the way.

“We will all be caregivers at some point. This presentation will teach you skills to interact with the health care system so you can be more prepared for the journey ahead,” said Dr. Seow. “These 7 keys are simple, actionable and can be used by anyone. They are a game changer for patients and families.”

Ontario Health (OH) West Region is sponsoring fully funded palliative care education for patients and family caregivers who reside within the West Region of OH. This strategy aims to increase public awareness and provide education around palliative care services. Funding is provided for all registration fees for attendance.

Navigating a Life-Changing Diagnosis: 7 Keys for More Choice and Control is being hosted by the NOHT-ÉSON’s Palliative Care Working Group, Hospice Niagara, Niagara-on-the-Lake Community Palliative Care, and The Waiting Room Revolution.

Dr. Winemaker and Dr. Seow’s upcoming keynote presentation comes at a critical time for caregivers in Ontario. According to the Ontario Caregiver Organization’s December 2024 Spotlight Report, caregivers in Ontario are facing increasing challenges, with 67% of caregivers indicating that they have reached a breaking point but have no choice other than to continue to keep going. There are an estimated 4 million caregivers in Ontario.

Other findings contained in the report include:

• 34% of caregivers provide more than 10 hours of care per week
• 73% report their caregiving responsibilities have increased over the past 2 years
• Caregivers are spending an average of $641 per month on caregiving
• 25% have taken out a loan or are using a line of credit
• 43% have considered quitting their job to provide care
• 72% feel so burnt out they are not sure how they will continue

Rather than feeling powerless, event attendees will leave with actionable insights to improve their experience with the health care system, live well despite uncertainty, and feel hopeful and prepared every step of the way. They will also receive a copy of Hope for the Best, Plan for the Rest: 7 Keys for Navigating a Life-Changing Diagnosis.

EVENT DETAILS

Navigating a Life-Changing Diagnosis: 7 Keys for More Choice and Control
Date: Thursday, April 10, 2025
Location: Club Italia Banquet Centre (2525 Montrose Road, Niagara Falls)
Time:

• 4:00 PM – Doors open
• 6:00 – 7:00 PM – Keynote presentation by Drs. Sammy Winemaker and Hsien Seow
• 7:00 – 7:30 PM – Book signing

Register here by March 27 to secure your spot.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Dr. Hsien Seow, PhD: A Canada Research Chair in Palliative Care and Health System Innovation, Dr. Seow is a professor in the Department of Oncology at McMaster University and a leader in health care research, focusing on improving the patient and family experience.

Dr. Samantha Winemaker, MD: A renowned palliative care physician and clinical professor at McMaster University, Dr. Winemaker has received numerous awards for her work in advancing palliative care education for health professionals.

Together, Drs. Seow and Winemaker host The Waiting Room Revolution podcast, where they share stories from patients, health care providers, researchers, and caregivers to better prepare anyone facing a progressive, life-limiting diagnosis.

The Niagara Ontario Health Team – Équipe Santé Ontario Niagara (NOHT-ÉSON) is embarking on an exciting initiative to create a comprehensive System Planning Report. This project will analyze population health trends, service utilization, and resource capacity in the Niagara region to guide health system planning over the next five to 10 years.

The report will focus on key areas like demographic changes, health inequities, service gaps, and emerging health issues. It will also explore workforce, infrastructure, and financial resource capacity, ensuring a robust understanding of the region’s needs.

This report represents a collaborative effort by the NOHT-ÉSON’s diverse members, which include health and social care providers, Indigenous and Francophone organizations, and patient/client/family/caregiver representatives, all working together to build a more inclusive, efficient system.

Proposals for this project are being accepted until February 24, 2025, with the final report set to be completed by September 2025. This initiative underscores the NOHT-ÉSON’s commitment to improving access to care, advancing institutional knowledge, and addressing the evolving needs of Niagara residents.

For more information,  download the RFP document here.

Call to Action

If your organization specializes in data analysis and health system planning, we encourage you to submit a proposal and contribute to shaping the future of Niagara’s health care system!

Are you passionate about community engagement and improving health system design? The NOHT-ÉSON is welcoming proposals for a comprehensive engagement project to inform health system planning and design for equity-deserving populations, including individuals living with dementia and their caregivers.

Key Details:

• Maximum Budget: $25,000 + HST
• Proposal Submission Deadline: Monday, January 6, 2025
• Submission: Proposals must be emailed to pm@noht-eson.ca

Scope of Work:

The successful applicant will design and facilitate focus groups, interviews, and surveys to gather insights, followed by in-depth data analysis and reporting. This project aligns with the NOHT-ÉSON’s Strategic Plan and supports the efforts of the Dementia Care Working Group and Health Equity Working Group.

Key Deliverables Include:

• Focus groups with individuals living with dementia, caregivers, and equity-deserving populations.
• Detailed data analysis to uncover trends and actionable insights.
• Comprehensive reports with visual representations and an executive summary.
• Presentations of findings to key NOHT-ÉSON groups.

Timeline Overview:

• January 2025: Engagement planning
• February-March 2025: Focus group facilitation
• March-April 2025: Data analysis
• April 2025: Report writing
• May 2025: Presentation of findings

This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of health care in Niagara.

For more details, access the full Request for Proposals document here: RFP Document

Let’s work together to build a more inclusive, accessible, and responsive health care system for our community!