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In a new government initiative aimed at preventing adverse drug reactions and medication errors, Health Canada will use different ways to make medication easier to understand, including standardizing the format of non-prescription drug labels (such as a 'Drug Facts' table) and requiring manufacturers to provide mock-ups of labels and packages for review. Find the full article here.

Mounting concern that health professional/patient interactions are often less than therapeutic has led to many initiatives aimed at finding ways to put the care back into the health care system. In Canada, one such initiative is the creation of the Patient Experience department of Alberta Health Services. Find the full article here.

The only way to fix the problems plaguing Canada's health-care system is to involve patients in that change, says the president of the Patients' Association of Canada.

When the Canada Health Act was passed in 1984, Canadians were dying of acute and infectious diseases. Today, we die of chronic illnesses, which we can live with for years, says Sholom Glouberman. Find the full article here.

Special Event: The Developing a More Seniors' Friendly Community forum will be held Monday, June 3rd at 6 PM at the Steelworkers Hall at 66 Brady St. A trade show will start earlier, at 2 PM. Find more information here.

Several months ago, we introduced you to some of Alberta Health Services' (AHS) Practical Wisdom Tools on our blog. Recently, AHS got in touch to show us 9 new Practical Wisdom Tools on topics like Sharing your Healthcare Story and Emotional Care Pathways. These tools are all endorsed by the Patients' Association of Canada as practical ways to make for better healthcare experiences, and they are attached to this blog post. Please have a look, and share with patients and providers alike!

The Care-ring Voice Network along with VHA Home Healthcare are offering a free webinar on May 29th from 7:00PM - 8:30PM (EST) on how to start an advance care planning conversation and planning for your loved one's end-of-life wishes. This session is offered in English and is also available by phone. Space is limited so register today! Visit their website here.

Do you believe research has a key role to play in improving the primary healthcare (PHC) system in Canada? Are you interested in being involved in shaping the path of PHC research in Canada? The Patients’ Association of Canada is participating in a new venture with the Canadian Primary Health Care Research and Innovation Network (CPHCRIN), an emerging research, training and knowledge exchange network in community-based primary health care (CBPHC), to engage patients in the ongoing development of a pan-Canadian CBPHC research network and research agenda. CPHCRIN provides a special focus on research in the areas of chronic disease prevention and management, primary healthcare service delivery, addressing health disparities and inequities, and meeting the needs of vulnerable populations.

On Monday, June 3rd, Health Sciences North in Sudbury is holding a summit, Designing a More Seniors-Friendly Community. Patients’ Association President, Sholom Glouberman, will be giving a talk about the role that patients and their families can take in improving the system. Prior to the event, there will also be a Seniors Fair, featuring information booths about the various services available to seniors at Health Sciences North and in the community. Both events are free! Learn more here

We’ve been working with Northumberland Hills Hospital, the Change Foundation, and other partners in Northumberland County on the PATH project. The project allows patients and caregivers to partner with providers across the community and system to co-design changes to improve healthcare transitions and experiences. Listen here to how the five project elements work to improve the patient experience.

Learn more about this project here.