Health Quality Transformation Presents: Quality Matters 2016 Patients Included Charter Clauses

As a result of patients and caregivers being at the forefront of the conference’s planning and the agenda, we are proud to announce HQT2016 is recognized as Patients Included.

Visit the Patients Included website for more information, and follow the hashtag #PatientsIncluded to stay up to date on Twitter.

Patients or caregivers with experience relevant to the conference’s central theme actively participate in the design and planning of the event, including the selection of themes, topics and speakers.

On October 20th, 2016, Health Quality Ontario (HQO) will host Health Quality Transformation Presents: Quality Matters 2016 (HQT2016), our fifth annual interactive conference for patients, caregivers, members of the public, health care providers and system leaders. The focus of our conference this year is Quality Matters: Realizing Excellent Care for All, the health system quality framework on how to realize excellent care for all.

In partnership with a committee of over 25 patient advisors, the HQT2016program is designed with patients, caregivers and the public at the forefront of every aspect of the daylong event.

The working committee for HQT2016 is made up of HQO staff and two lead patient advisors. The Committee is an integral part in the development of all aspects of HQT2016.

Each breakout session (20+) has at least one patient advisor leading the development of the sessions area of focus, content, format and speakers. Each session will also feature a speaker with a patient, caregiver or person with lived experience perspective.

Moreover, HQO invites the submission of abstracts aligned with how to build a quality system, and support the advancement of a just, patient-centred, and high performing health system committed to relentless improvement at the local, regional and/or provincial level. Abstracts will be featured in breakout sessions or as posters. A patient advisor from the committee reviewed each abstract submitted.

Presented at HQT2016, The 2016 Minister's Medal Honouring Excellence in Health Quality and Safety provides an opportunity to recognize system champions who place the patient at the centre of the circle of care.

The Minister’s Medal aims to showcase and honour health system partners who have worked to achieve successes in putting the needs of patients first. In particular, selection criteria this year emphasizes efforts that align with proposals outlined in the Patients First: Action Plan for Health Care and its commitment to expand patient engagement in Ontario’s health care system.

HQT2016 also features several networking opportunities allowing patient and family advisors from across our health system to come together to share experiences and best practices.

Patients or caregivers with experience of the issues addressed by the event participate in its delivery, and appear in its physical audience.

Health Quality Transformation Presents: Quality Matters 2016 is a free event, open to the public to attend. Our communication outreach includes patient focused organizations, and representatives from across the province, as well as the general public.

The patient and caregiver perspective is a central theme of HQT2016 and the work overall of HQO. Patients and caregivers are part of the program from development, design, execution and play a large role in as session and plenary speakers, participants and will lead conversations generating dialogue amongst the anticipated 1,500+ delegates.

Travel and accommodation expenses for patients or carers participating in the advertised programme are paid in full, in advance. Scholarships are provided by the conference organisers to allow patients or carers affected by the relevant issues to attend as delegates.

While Health Quality Transformation Presents: Quality Matters 2016 is a free event, HQO acknowledges that costs incurred for travel and accommodation can impact patient advisors ability to attend. Therefore, we have established a bursary program for patient advisors hoping to attend the conference. Click here for more information.

All travel and accommodation expenses for patients or caregivers participating as speakers or on the planning committee for HQT2016 have their expenses paid in full, and in advance if required.

The disability requirements of participants are accommodated. All applicable sessions, breakouts, ancillary meetings, and other programme elements are open to patient delegates.

Health Quality Transformation Presents: Quality Matters 2016 is held each year at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC). The MTCC is committed to meeting the needs of people with disabilities in a timely manner and do so by preventing and removing barriers to accessibility and meeting accessibility requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (“AODA”).

Access for virtual participants is facilitated, with free streaming video provided online wherever possible.

Health Quality Transformation Presents: Quality Matters 2016 will be making parts of the day available on HQO's YouTube page after the conference in English and French.

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