The Client Empowerment Council (CEC) is a body of clients of The Royal formally mandated to support, advise and advocate to further the interests of all clients at the management, organizational and clinical levels.
The CEC is an active partner in the ongoing policy-making structure of The Royal. The activities of the CEC result in the direct improvement of everyday care, treatment and quality of life for clients of The Royal, both on-site and in the community.
Role of the Client Empowerment Council
- Advise staff and management of The Royal by reviewing, commenting on and making recommendations on policies and procedures affecting clients;
- Working with senior management, program managers and services to develop policies and procedures that reflect client-centred and recovery-focused care in its language and direction (i.e., Patient Bill of Rights, smoking policy, admission packages, patient transfer processes, restraint policy, etc.);
- Internally identify issues concerning the system and advocate for change
and improvement; - Be a body where clients can bring systemic concerns or issues for review
and resolution; - Facilitate movement of information and issues between clients of The Royal, the treatment programs, wards, other councils of The Royal and related councils of the parent Royal Ottawa Health Care Group. This is accomplished by the 21 members of the CEC who represent these different bodies bringing forward their interests and concerns to council meetings;
- To help provide education to both staff and patients (i.e. clients as expert);
- Raise issues and concerns with The Royal’s Board of Trustees;
- Work closely with the Patient Relations service to review the concerns of clients, advocate for change and advise as necessary.
CEC Activities
- Speak on behalf of all clients and patients of The Royal;
- Participate in the ongoing decision-making process for new and established policies;
- Work in partnership with professional and clinical caregivers to ensure the best possible quality of life and standard of care available to all clients;
- Review, comment and recommend policy and developmental changes in collaboration with senior management, program managers and service representatives;
- Meet monthly to identify internal systemic issues and advocate for change;
- Address clients’ systemic concerns;
- Represent clients of The Royal on committees of The Royal, the Royal Ottawa Health Care Group and in the community to ensure client concerns are taken into account in planning and policy making throughout the region;
- Act as an ongoing resource for all staff, clients and residents;
- Educate staff and the community about the client-centred care at The Royal.
Philosophy
- Care and treatment must be client centred;
- Clients play a critical role in their care and in the delivery of mental health services;
- Open communication between care providers, clients and their families is essential;
- Clients have the right to voice their concerns;
- Input from clients should be welcomed, encouraged and responded to in a timely manner;
- Clients have the right to be treated with dignity and respect;
- Clients have the right to advocate for positive change in the system;
- People should be valued first and foremost and the system should be humanized.
Vision Statement
The Client Empowerment Council provides an avenue for clients to be active and more involved in decisions affecting them and ensuring that consumers can have a better quality of life both within the hospital setting and the community.
Client’s Voice: newsletter of the Client Empowerment Council
Contact Us
Your input, suggestions and participation are invaluable in ensuring client voices are heard in the committees and councils ensuring the highest quality of care for you, your family and all those served by our programs.
613.722.6521 ext. 6767
cec@theroyal.ca
Client Empowerment Council
Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre
1145 Carling Avenue, Room 1108
Ottawa ON K1Z 7K4