Medicine Hat News
Alberta Health Services plans in 2019 to establish an advisory council to focus on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression.
The Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression provincial advisory council will provide a direct connection between AHS and sexual and gender diverse patients, their families and care providers.
Those chosen to be on the council will include people from across the province who have experience within the health-care system and understand the needs and barriers faced by sexual and gender minorities (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and 2 Spirit, or LGBTQ2S+.
SOGIE will advise on programs, services and strategies to address stigma within the health-care system, and inform AHS how to support employees who identify with and work within these communities.
Throughout the summer AHS met with more than 60 people of the LGBTQ2S+ communities, and solicited feedback from more than 200 people through an online survey. Their insights and perspectives will guide the work of SOGIE, which will report to the Community Engagement Committee of the AHS Board.
For more information or to apply to join the council visit: https://together4health.ahs.ca/SOGIE-PAC
AHS says advisory councils bring valuable perspectives from patients, families and communities to help inform strategy, policy and planning development for AHS.
In addition to Provincial Advisory Councils, AHS supports 12 Health Advisory Councils from across Alberta that bring the voices of their communities into program and service decisions; as well as a Wisdom Council, which provides advice into programs and services for Indigenous populations, according to a press release.
