Gerald Ingeveld, a current David Thompson Health Advisory Council member and former Mountain View County councillor, is encouraging area residents to consider applying to serve on the council.Established in 2009, the health advisory councils were designed to facilitate dialogue between communities and AHS.Last week Alberta Health Services (AHS) began a new recruitment campaign aimed at attracting volunteers to serve two-year terms on one of the 12 councils, which meet six times annually.Each council has 10 to 15 volunteer members. The councils' mandate includes the following:ï Engage members of the community and communicate what is being said about health services. ï Provide feedback about what is working well within the health-care system and suggest areas for improvement. ï Advise Alberta Health Services on matters pertaining to health service delivery and design.Ingeveld, who was appointed to a three-year term on the David Thompson council two years ago, says with much of the groundwork now done, the councils can really start having an impact on health care.ìI would recommend the council for someone who wants to share their knowledge and skills, to help improve our health system,î said Ingeveld. ìIt should be a little easier to be a member now, as an entire year was needed to organize the councils, and really figure out what we're all about.ìThe minister (of health) left the forming of the groups up to the groups themselves, and really had a hands-off approach. He wanted us to become what we felt would have the most impact on the system, without any manipulation politically.ìWe're finally there, but have only been able to get any work done the last few months. A new councillor will be able to slide into a framework that we have developed, and soon be able to have an impact.îThe David Thompson council serves a large area of West Central Alberta, including Innisfail, Olds, Red Deer and Sundre.Among the David Thompson council's achievements so far has been a wide-ranging survey of senior health needs and services in the region.AHS board chairman Ken Hughes says the councils can perform an ìimportant role in connecting Alberta Health Services with patients and families across the province.îìWe can only be genuinely responsive to Albertans if we understand their needs and listen to their concerns and this includes hearing directly from the people who volunteer their time on the councils,î Hughes said in a news release.Anyone interested in becoming a council member is being asked to complete and submit an expression of interest no later than Sept. 2.Expression of interest forms and additional information about health advisory councils, their locations and membership are available at www.albertahealthservices.ca/hac.asp. Interested parties can also phone 1-403-943-1241, or toll-free 1-877-275-8830, or e-mail [email protected].ìWe are looking for committed, enthusiastic Albertans with an interest in health issues, and in the health and well-being of their communities,î Lynn Redford, vice-president of community relations with AHS, said in a news release.ìCommunity engagement through the councils provides input that furthers our ability to provide patient-focused care at a local level.î
