Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC)

Partnering With Patients, Families and Caregivers

Our patient and family advisory council (PFAC) is an organization of current and former patients, family members, and caregivers that work together to advance best practices in our healthcare organization. Volunteer patients and families collaborate with Team Members (clinical, administrative, and support) to provide guidance on how to improve the patient and family experience.

PFAC Vision

To create a patient and family centered culture that involves a collaborative partnership among patients, families, leadership, and staff.

PFAC Mission

To improve the delivery of and quality healthcare by providing a way for the community to collaborate with staff, enhancing experience for the patients and their families. 

Join the Patient and Family Advisory Council

Patient Advisors are a diverse group of people who enjoy working with others and contributing ideas, while being able to hear and balance different perspectives with compassion and respect.

To join our patient and family advisory council, you must:

• Show dignity and respect for others

  • Have an interest in and show concern for improving the healthcare experience for all patients and their families, beyond your personal experience.

• Participate in meetings

  • Attend monthly council meetings and serve on committees.

• Share your ideas

  • Have a positive approach and share ideas and information about experiences in ways that will benefit others, while listening to and respecting different points of view.

• Collaborate

  • Be able to communicate and cooperate with individuals whose backgrounds, experiences and styles may be different than your own.

The Purpose and Responsibilities of our PFAC:

• Promote respectful, effective partnerships between patients, families, and clinicians.

• Increase understanding and cooperation between patients, families, and staff.

• Transform the culture towards patient- and family-centered care.

• Improve quality, patient safety, and patient health outcomes.

• Establish a link between the hospital and the community at large.

What Might PFAC Members Do at a Meeting?

• Share healthcare experiences with doctors, Team Members, and other PFAC members.

• Participate in group discussions to talk about ideas for how our healthcare organizations can improve care, quality, safety, and services.

• Provide insight from the patient and family perspective about policies, care practices, and patient education materials.

• Identify patient and family needs and concerns.

• Serve on subcommittees and workgroups to help bring the patient and family perspective to these efforts.

• Encourage and support patient-centered care across the institution.

PFAC Membership and Application

If you or a loved one has received care at Halifax Health and are interested in providing your unique perspective, we invite you to apply to be a patient and family advisor. Your experience and feedback are important and will help us to improve the care we provide to all patients. The PFAC will meet monthly or every other month.

The Patient and Family Advisory Council is comprised of 8-12 patient/family members, HHMC staff, two patient co-chairs, a staff facilitator, and executive sponsors from the hospital’s senior leadership.