Pledge goal exceeded for first Saskatchewan Change Day

SASKATOON, Nov. 6, 2014 /CNW/ - Hundreds of people have pledged to take one small step to make the health system better, as part of a new initiative called Saskatchewan Change Day that is being celebrated throughout the province today.

The campaign, organized by the province's Health Quality Council, received more than 1,200 pledges, surpassing its 1,000-pledge target. Pledges posted on the Change Day website, at www.skchangeday.com, ranged from committing to make someone smile each day to lying in an ambulance stretcher to better understand the patient experience.

"We are thrilled to see the enthusiasm throughout Saskatchewan for this campaign. We are grateful for the support we have received for Change Day and we would like to thank everyone who has made a pledge," said Dr. Susan Shaw, HQC's board chair.

"People from all areas of the health system have committed to making one small change to improve the care patients receive, or to improve their workplaces, their relationships with their co-workers or even themselves. When combined, these Change Day pledges will add up to make a big difference."

Saskatchewan Change Day was modelled after the highly successful NHS Change Day in England, which was first held in 2013. Since then, the social movement has grown and spread to other countries, including Sweden, Australia and others.

"The Health Quality Council wanted to bring Change Day to Saskatchewan to excite people here about the power within them to make a change for the better," said Bonnie Brossart, HQC's chief executive officer.

"It has been wonderful to watch the pledges come in on the Change Day website, and to hear the inspiring pledge stories from patients, employees, health regions and organizations throughout our province. We can't measure the positive collective impact of hundreds of individuals acting on their pledges, but we know each of these actions will make a difference for someone."

Saskatchewan Change Day was officially launched in May at the Health Care Quality Summit in Saskatoon. Since then, pledges have continued to be made. Here are some examples:

• I pledge to help someone find their way if I see that they are lost in our facility.
• I pledge to introduce myself with my name and title to all my clients and not use health care language that is difficult for them to understand.
• I pledge to donate blood once a month.
• I pledge to work with all my co-workers across the continuum of care to place patient/client/resident safety first by thinking infection control practices do make a difference.
• I pledge to reflect on three things I am most grateful for at the end of each day.
• I pledge to step away from my desk and take a walk every day.

A survey will soon be conducted about Saskatchewan Change Day. HQC will consider the survey results, along with other forms of feedback, in determining whether another Change Day will be held in 2015.

HQC is an independent agency that measures and reports on the quality of care in Saskatchewan, promotes improvement and engages its partners in building a better, safer health system for patients.

SOURCE: Health Quality Council - Saskatchewan

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