CAOT-BC Letter to Select Standing Committee on Health

In follow-up to CAOT-BC's attendance at the 12th Annual Healthcare Conference Western Canadian Summit last week, the following letter was sent to the Government of BC Select Standing Committee on Health Chair, Mr. Norm Letnick:

June 26, 2012

Norm Letnick

Chair, Select Standing Committee on Health
East Annex
Parliament Buildings
Victoria, BC
V8V 1X4

norm.letnick.mla@leg.bc.ca  

Dear Mr. Letnick:

Thank you for taking the time to speak with me at the 12^th Annual Healthcare Conference, Western Canadian Summit in Kelowna last week. I thoroughly enjoyed your presentation, as well as that of Graham Whitmarsh, Deputy Minister of Health, and would like to discuss opportunities for how occupational therapists in British Columbia can contribute to the Health System Strategy Map and the overall agenda of innovation and change in BC’s health system.

I am the Managing Director of the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists – British Columbia (CAOT-BC), which is the provincial professional association for occupational therapists in BC representing over 2000 occupational therapists. As key health professionals in the British Columbia health care system, occupational therapists focus on a person’s ability rather than disability and provide essential services across the entire continuum of care.  For this reason, I believe it is critical that we share our voice and expertise in how to respond to the changing health needs of our population.

I am writing you on behalf of CAOT-BC to offer our support in providing stakeholder feedback for the purpose of further development and implementation of this plan. Occupational therapy is a science-driven, evidence-based profession that enables people of all ages to live life to their fullest. Occupational therapists work with British Columbians to promote health and prevent – or live better with - illness, injury or disability. For this reason I see our role within the health system not only as providers of care, but agents of change.

I would like to meet to discuss engaging occupational therapist participation with regard to the Health System Strategy Map and overall health system change. As the Managing Director of CAOT-BC I believe there is tremendous potential to advance inter-professional collaboration in the work of the Select Standing Committee on Health. I look forward to meeting with you at your earliest convenience.

Sincerely,

Giovanna Boniface, OT

Managing Director of CAOT-BC /  Directrice générale de l'ACE-CB

Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists / Association

canadienne des ergothérapeutes

613-523-2268 or 800-434-2268 ext. 265

Fax: 613-523-2552

cc: Mike Farnworth, Deputy Chair, Select Standing Committee on Health (mike.farnworth.mla@leg.bc.ca)