Canadian Healthcare Reform: We need strong voices from the frontline with Senator Rebecca Patterson

Canadian health system reform. Is it possible? Your answer to this question might be based on your experiences with the system, your role in it, and whether or not you believe we know and have what it takes to make it happen.

We welcome Canadian Senator Rebecca Patterson to the Central Line podcast to discuss her answer to these questions. You’ll hear about how her experiences in the Canadian military and as a registered nurse and healthcare leader have always centred on those she serves, and have led her to her current position as Canadian Senator, where she continues to serve her country and leads the way in transforming the country’s healthcare system. 

Leah and Senator Patterson discuss the unfortunate truth that many healthcare workers feel forgotten and unheard and that we have created a system that has allowed that. Senator Patterson shares her thoughts on what she believes needs to change and how we will accomplish it together. She discusses the undeniable requirement of inviting to hear from the people who are delivering healthcare to the public. Including the voices of all stakeholders - physicians, primary caregivers, those in family medicine, nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists -  and giving their voices equal power to others in the room, is the only way to make the right change.

Senator Patterson believes reform is possible. She also believes that if we don’t change, we will fail. She shares her belief that we need people on the front lines to raise their voices, show up with courage, and be willing to stand up and blaze new trails. And we need others to hold those people up and give volume to their voices. Only then will we move toward reform. 

This was an extra special conversation with an extra special guest. Senator Patterson’s dedication to healthy Canadians shines through in everything she says.