Call for nominations: Patient Advocate Advisory Committee to the Pan-Canadian Governance for Organ Donation and Transplantation

On this page

• Overview
• Role of committee members
• Eligibility
• Selection process
• What to include in your nomination
• How to apply
• Contact us

Overview

Health Canada is seeking nominations for members to participate in the Patient Advocate Advisory Committee (PAAC). Patients bring a level of authenticity that leads to evidence-informed decision-making. They give accounts of their experiences with the healthcare system, both negative and positive, highlighting what works and doesn't for policy-makers and system operators.

The PAAC brings together the following groups in order to discuss matters of patient interest within the pan-Canadian Organ Donation and Transplantation (ODT) system and provide advice to the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Assistant Deputy Minister Steering Committee and the ODT System Operators Advisory Committee:

• patients with lived experience as a living donor or transplant recipient
• families and caregivers, including family members of deceased donors
• representatives from organ donation and transplantation patient-facing organizations

The goal of PAAC is to mutually inform and deepen members' perspectives as well as provide advice and make impactful recommendations that ensure that patient perspectives are considered. These recommendations may include policy changes, system improvements, and patient care strategies aimed at enhancing the overall patient journey and outcomes.

Role of committee members

Members of the committee will be responsible for:

• reviewing and providing timely feedback on relevant documents provided by the Health Canada Secretariat or ODT PAAC Co-chairs
• applying their expertise and experience to provide input to discussions
• regular attending and actively participating in meetings and discussions
• supporting the Co-chairs
• championing the work of ODT governance structure with colleagues, stakeholders, and relevant networks

Members may be invited to represent PAAC on working groups established by the System Operators Advisory Committee (SOAC).

At a minimum, quarterly meetings will be held by on-line videoconference to ensure maximum participation. A schedule of meetings will be developed in the winter 2025. Health Canada will provide members with an honorarium for their time and expertise in accordance with the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS) guidelines.

Eligibility

The criteria to be a representative of the PAAC are to:

• bring relevant lived experience related to ODT or an institutional knowledge-based perspective that flows from involvement with a patient organization or community
• be available to effectively communicate and engage with other patient, donors and family representatives to both elicit different views and contributions and represent them to others beyond the PAAC
• be formally appointed by the ODT Federal-Provincial-Territorial Assistant Deputy Minister Steering Committee following consultation

As a condition of appointment to the PAAC, potential members must complete a declaration of affiliations and interests to be submitted to Health Canada. A biographical sketch and a summary of the declaration of affiliations and interests will be posted to the Health Canada website.

Selection process

Health Canada will establish a selection committee to support a fair, equitable, and transparent member recruitment and appointment process. The ODT FPT ADM Steering Committee appoints the members of the advisory body.

What to include in your nomination

If you are nominating yourself, the nomination package should include the following:

• Completed Nomination Form
• Cover letter detailing why you are interested in becoming a member of the committee (maximum one page/250 words)
• Curriculum vitae (with information relevant to your knowledge, expertise, breadth of experience and familiarity with ODT)

If you are representing an organization you must also include a letter that:

• states support from your organization
• acknowledges your nomination for this committee signed by a senior official of your organization
• includes a statement confirming your expertise and experience relevant to ODT and experience working in a committee environment

If you are nominating an individual you must also include a letter that:

• is signed by the nominee
• confirms the nominee is:
  • aware of the nomination and the role of a PAAC Member
  • willing to have his/her/their name put forward as a potential member of the committee
  • is in agreement with the posting of a biographical sketch and a summary of their declaration of affiliations and interests to the Health Canada website should they be accepted as a member

How to apply

• Complete a nomination package
• Email it to: PAAC.Secretariat-secretariat.CCPDDP@hc-sc.gc.ca

The deadline to submit an application is November 22, 2024.

Contact us

Health Canada Secretariat

PAAC.Secretariat-secretariat.CCPDDP@hc-sc.gc.ca