"Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before! What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!"
Each month, we will introduce you to members of the Family Centred Care Council and NICU Family Advisory Care Team. This month we feature two of our newest family members to the Family Centred Care Council.
MEMBERSHIP CORNER - Anne-Marie Paquin
Family Centred Care Council member
AND - Daniel Paquin
Family Centred Care Council Member
What brought you to the Family Centred Care Council?
After all that we have learned and experienced, we wanted the chance to help other families who are going through similar journeys.
What is one thing that you would like network members to know about you?
We are both teachers!
What is something that the FCCC has done (past or present) that you are most excited about?
We were really excited about the whiteboards for each patient. They came into place when Hector was in NICU, and we found them to be such a great way to communicate with everyone who came into his room.
FCC PRIMER ARCHIVES
Did you miss a couple editions of the Stollery Family Centred Care Primer? Do you want to re-read about some the great accomplishments families, staff and physicians have been able to make working together?
To view previous editions, since January 2013, just click on this link:
After many months of careful planning by the Family Bedside Orientation Leadership Team (pictured above) Family Bedside Orientations began on 5G4 during the last week of November.
Family Mentors were enthusiastically welcomed to the unit by 5G4 staff where a need for parent and family peer support had been identified. Family Mentors met with parents and family members on different occasions to share information and be a listening presence for those who just want to talk.
As one parent said to a Family Mentor on a recent visit "It's good you started a program like this. Parents really need it."
Many thanks goes out to all those on the Leadership Team who have committed much of their time and efforts to making Family Bedside Orientations happen.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY SPOTLIGHT: Family Mentor
As many in the network know, having a child in the hospital can be a very stressful and emotional time for family members. Often family members take comfort and support from speaking with someone who has had similar experiences with their child. At the Stollery, that someone is a volunteer Family Mentor.
Family Mentors do many things. They may provide a new family an orientation to the hospital unit and information about the supports available. Or they may provide information about how the health care system works so that families can participate more effectively in their child's care. Or a Family Mentor might share parts of their story to help an inpatient family feel not so alone on their journey. Sometimes a Family Mentor just listens. A Family Mentor could do all these in one visit.
Peer Support training is provided to all Family Mentors and covers a wide range of topics including effective communication, confidentiality and respecting boundaries. Family Mentors are needed weekdays, evenings and weekends. If you think this is an opportunity you'd like to pursue, please click here to contact Christie for more information.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY: Family Partners on Stollery Quality Councils
The Stollery leadership is requesting family involvement at Quality Councils to ensure discussions and decisions are being made in the best interest of patients and families.
If you are interested in bringing creative solutions, new eyes and new ideas to improve quality, then consider being a part of one of the following Quality Councils:
MacEwan University Nursing Students Gain Insight from Families sharing their Genuine Stories:
"Redefining Normal: Tube Feeding":
Family members Tara Hergottand Dee-Ann Schwanke presented to over 110 nursing students, sharing their experiences of supporting their children who require tube feeding. Students starting their careers now recognize the effects of tube feeding beyond the hospital setting, and the resulting shifts in children's and family's lives.
"A Family's Journey Through Life-threatening Illness":
By sharing her daughter's journey and family story, family member, Karen Klak brought first hand knowledge and understanding of loss and grief to 40 nursing students.
The value of this presentation is aptly summarized in the student's comment, "we are sometimes unprepared and not sure how to handle death or grieving families. This presentation gives us guidance. Knowing we need to be real."
SNELP (Pediatric Nurse's Orientation)
On November 17, Tristan Pidner and Karen Klak introduced the concept of Family Centred Care to a group of 11 nurses new to the Stollery staff team. Through presentation and role play, nursing staff had an opportunity to use family centred practices in different situations that commonly occur in the hospital. Thank you Tristan and Karen for passionately sharing your stories and contributing to some great learning.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY: Family Talks
We have many exciting opportunities for families to make a difference by sharing your story. If you are interested in presenting at a future "Family Talk", please
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