VPSA board and staff meet regularly with VCH senior leaders to develop a collaborative relationship between medical staff and the health authority. The June meeting included discussion about how best to shape the meetings to optimize collaboration and engagement.

May meeting summary

VPSA Projects Manager Annapurna Chavali summarized actions arising from this group’s May meeting around the level of engagement VCH will have on three of VPSA’s priority areas. Going forward, VCH Manager, Provider Strategic Initiatives & Experience, Vancouver Acute, Laura Mc Evoy will provide input from VA’s perspective to the VA/VC Physician Wellness Steering Committee and will also liaise with Vancouver Community about the work of this committee. Representatives from both VA and VC will sit in on meetings between VPSA Vice President Dr. Fahreen Dossa and VCH Regional Medical Director for EDI, Dr. Joy Masuhara regarding initiatives of VPSA’s VA/VC EDI Committee. A potential VA contact has been identified for collaboration and/or participation with the VA/VC Medical Staff Planetary Health Committee; a VC representative has yet to be determined.

Optimizing future meetings

To make the most of the meetings between VPSA and VCH senior leaders, there was discussion about who should attend and what the structure should be. The group agreed that content should be important for VA and VC leaders to know and could identify areas for collaboration. The revamped format for the VMDAS quarterly meetings, where each has a theme, was used as an example that could work well for this committee. It was also suggested that the meeting frequency could reduce to six times a year, alternating with the VMDAS quarterly gatherings.

VPSA advocacy framework

The VPSA Board approved an advocacy policy this past April. That and a summary document about how advocacy works were presented to the VCH seniors leaders. No concerns were raised.

VMDAS September quarterly meeting

The proposed theme for the September 21st VMDAS meeting is The Mental Health Front Door – Rethinking Acute Mental Health Care. Potential themes for other meetings were also raised. VCH leaders appreciate receiving this information well in advance so they can find appropriate panelists. Other ideas for themes were suggested including an update on non-beneficial interventions in care and improving the learning environment.

Medical staff lounge

The VMDAS Hub for Engagement and Wellness has been closed while renovations are happening in the VGH operating rooms. Those renovations are taking longer than expected and the lounge may not reopen until November. The Paetzold multipurpose room appears to be available for booking again. VPSA will look into this for its monthly luncheons.

Next meeting

The group will next meet on September 10. If you have questions/issues/concerns around the topics discussed or would like to suggest new topics, please fill out this form.