Community Council
Your Voice Matters
The Grey Bruce Ontario Health Team (GBOHT) is committed to creating a health system that is designed with the community, not just for it.
Through partnerships among patients, families, caregivers, health care providers, and social service organizations, the GBOHT works to make care more connected and accessible across Grey and Bruce counties.
About the Community Council
The Community Council is a group of patients, family members, and caregivers who share their lived experiences to help guide the work of the GBOHT.
This Council provides a space for community members to talk about what’s working well, identify challenges, and share ideas to improve local health and social services. Their insights and advice help shape how care is planned, delivered, and evaluated — ensuring that decisions made by the GBOHT reflect the real needs of the people it serves.
One Community Council member also serves as a voting representative on the GBOHT Coordinating Council, the main decision-making body of the Ontario Health Team.
Purpose of the Community Council
The Community Council’s purpose is to:
Bring the voices of patients, families, and caregivers into all aspects of health system planning.
Share lived experiences to identify what’s working and where improvements are needed.
Support the design and evaluation of GBOHT projects and priorities.
Foster collaboration between community members, health care providers, and social service partners.
Patient, Family and Caregiver Declaration of Values for Ontario
The Patient Declaration of Values were first introduced in Ontario in 2011 as part of the Excellent Care for All legislation. The goal of the Patient Declaration of Values is to put patients first, clarify what we can expect from our healthcare system and identify our role within that health care system.
Read about the values important to patients, families and caregivers in a document developed by the Minister’s Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC).
Membership and Participation
Community Council members come from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. They use their lived expertise to make care more person-centred and inclusive for everyone.
Members:
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Meet virtually once per month for about 1.5 hours in the evening.
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Attend occasional in-person meetings with advance notice.
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Can choose to participate in GBOHT projects or working groups that match their interests and experiences.
A honorarium is available in recognition of the time and contributions of members.
Explore Our Projects
Learn more about the impactful initiatives happening across the GBOHT by visiting our Initiatives Page.
By joining the GBOHT Community Council, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute to these initiatives, ensuring that the voices of patients, families, and caregivers remain at the heart of everything we do.
Our Commitment to Inclusion
The GBOHT is committed to building a Community Council that reflects the diversity of the region it serves.
We encourage participation from individuals who may face barriers to equal access or who are underrepresented in health system planning — including youth, Black, Indigenous and Peoples of the Global Majority, newcomers, members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, people with disabilities, and those living with lower income or other systemic disadvantages.
