Much more than meetings, the educators exchange ideas and share successes and challenges…all over a shared pot-luck lunch.
VCH is a People First organization, a true north goal to which we all aspire.
Although attending meetings hasn’t traditionally been considered an effective strategy for meeting the People First agenda, the Inter-regional Perinatal Educators group is a success story that has accomplished just that.
Every couple of months, maternity educators from across the region, together with educators from BC Women’s Hospital and Perinatal Services BC, gather face-to-face.
They come to this meeting enthusiastically, armed with both pot-lunch lunch contributions and ideas on how to standardize maternity care both regionally and across the province.
“This group is unique and special,” said Connie Harborne, Clinical Educator and Patient Care Coordinator, Powell River. “We have a great track record successfully coming together to accomplish our work and gain a lot from hearing each other’s unique perspectives. This knowledge sharing has profoundly impacted the quality of obstetrical practice in Powell River.”
The meetings are full-day affairs where everyone shares their mutual successes and challenges. The opportunity to share the urban and rural perspectives and to network is highly valued.
“The educators love working together and we all benefit,” said Patty Keith, Director, Maternal/Child Planning, and educators’ group chair. “They see the big picture and understand the regional work. To me, anyway, these meetings are a great example of People First in action.”