Ontario’s Government for the People Affirms Patient Values and Health Care Expectations

Today, Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, and Julie Drury, Chair of the Minister’s Patient and Family Advisory Council, released the Patient Declaration of Values for Ontario. The Declaration of Values provides guidelines for developing programs and services that support patients as being partners in their care across the health system.

“Our government is creating a connected health care system that puts the needs of patients first, and that starts by setting and acknowledging clear expectations for those receiving and providing care across the province,” said Elliott. “As we move forward with modernizing and improving health care, the Patient Declaration of Values will help us in building the foundation of a patient-centred public health care system.”

The Declaration was created by the Minister’s Patient and Family Advisory Council in consultation with health system leaders and patient advisors through the ministry’s virtual pool of patient advisors across Ontario. The core elements of the Patient Declaration of Values for Ontario are:

• Respect and dignity
• Empathy and compassion
• Accountability
• Transparency
• Equity and engagement.

“The Declaration describes a vision that recognizes the importance of patients, families, and caregivers as partners in their personal health and across the entirety of the health care system,” said Drury. “Engaging with patients, families and caregivers based on these values will help to support better patient experience. The Declaration will guide the planning and delivery of health care policy, programs and services from the provincial to community level.”