Patients for Patient Safety Canada (PFPSC) has marked a new beginning by becoming a not-for-profit organization, effective January 22, 2024. This milestone signifies a significant moment in PFPSC's evolution, highlighting its growth and success in championing patient safety and engagement since its inception with the Canadian Patient Safety Institute (CPSI), now Healthcare Excellence Canada (HEC), in 2006.
The Board of Directors and Executive Director of PFPSC offered the following remarks:
“This development enables us to build on our past successes, re-ignite the focus on patient safety across the country, and be even more innovative and collaborative. While we look towards the future, we will stay rooted in our lived experiences.
As the only patient-led Canadian patient safety organization, we will seek partners to work with us as we continue to advance the three high-level objectives we’ve been pursuing for almost two decades:
- Prevent harm by promoting safety, prevention, and learning,
- Support all impacted by a harmful incident to heal, and,
- Engage patients in improving safety across the healthcare system.
Our new Board of Directors and Executive Director, along with our dedicated members look forward to engaging with you in advancing our ‘Every Patient Safe’ vision.”
PFPSC has been instrumental in promoting patient safety in partnership with patients. As the Canadian arm of the World Health Organization's Patients for Patient Safety global network, PFPSC has consistently provided unique perspectives to shape patient safety efforts across the country and beyond.
Through the dedication of volunteer members, drawing from their own lived experiences of healthcare harm, PFSPC has partnered with healthcare professionals and organizations to drive positive changes within the healthcare system. Their impact extends globally, supporting initiatives aimed at advancing safe care not only in Canada but worldwide.
“As Patients for Patient Safety Canada embarks on this new chapter, we want to express our thanks for the many contributions their members have made to both the Canadian Patient Safety Institute and Healthcare Excellence Canada,” says Jennifer Zelmer, President and CEO of HEC. “We look forward to continued collaboration with the new organization and individuals with diverse lived experiences to shape a future where everyone in Canada has safe, high-quality healthcare.”
For more information, visit: Patients for Patient Safety Canada – Every patient safe | La sécurité pour tous les patients (patients4safety.ca)
For inquiries about HEC's patient/caregiver/community member network, please email: patientpartnership-partenariat@hec-esc.ca
