The Canadian Patient Coalition was created at the recommendation of patients, families and caregivers attending the first Canadian Patient Summit held in Toronto in March 2010.

We produced the final report from the first Canadian Patient Summit and distributed it to every Minister of Health in Canada in the autumn of 2010. A number of us were increasingly concerned about the comments we were hearing from elected officials about the future of our public healthcare system, and we wanted to ensure that the concerns and suggestions of patients, their families and caregivers were heard by government officials, administrators and researchers.

We want informed and educated patients engaged in a meaningful conversation on the future of healthcare policy and service delivery in our country. Consultation after decisions have already been made will not bring the sustainability that we believe our healthcare system requires, nor will it lead to a system that truly meets the needs of patients, their families and caregivers.

We believe that something can be done however. Giving patients, families and caregivers a voice in the healthcare system is our goal.

We believe patients are real-life experts in what we need for an effective healthcare system. In our view, patients who have experienced the healthcare system directly are in the best position to advise on the whole system rather than on the collection of parts. Unlike health administrators, specialists, doctors, nurses or other healthcare professionals, patients transition across the continuum of healthcare services. Patients experience the gaps as they transition between departments, services or programs provided under our complicated and complex structure of publicly funded healthcare.

Guided by the recommendations of the patients, families and caregivers at the first Canadian Patient Summit, the Canadian Patient Coalition advocates for our meaningfully participation in government conversations about the future of healthcare. We ask for a transparent, open and truly inclusive process that informs, educates and engages patients, families and caregivers.

INTERIM BOARD OF DIRECTORS

In March 2011 the Canadian Patient Coalition incorporated as a not-for-profit and nominated an interim Board of Directors to assist with the development of the governance structure for the coalition. The interim board includes:
Pamela Alcorn, Secretary
Brenda Harris, Director
Sheila Perry, Treasurer
Karen Philp, Chair & Volunteer Executive Director