In January 2026, Joseph Brant Hospital (JBH) announced the official launch of its refreshed Patient Declaration of Values (PDOV) to the Burlington community. This guiding document reflects what matters most to patients and families and reinforces JBH’s commitment to delivering compassionate, inclusive and person-centred care.
“The refreshed Patient Declaration of Values reflects our ongoing commitment to care that is shaped by the people we serve,” said Leslie Motz, JBH’s Executive Vice President Clinical and Chief Nursing Executive. “What matters to our community matters to us. This document is a clear expression of what patients and families value most and a reminder to keep their voices at the centre of every decision we make.”
Originally introduced in 2010, the PDOV has served as a foundational statement of the hospital’s CARE philosophy – its commitment to the values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Excellence. It shapes meaningful interactions, strengthens relationships and reminds staff to see each patient as an individual with a story.
The PDOV was designed in collaboration with Patient/Family Advisors (PFAs) and shaped by feedback from more than 20 internal and external groups to reflect the hospital’s strategic plan and include aspects of diversity, equity, and inclusion. This work builds on JBH’s commitment to quality care and aligns with the Ontario Government’s Excellent Care for All Act, which supports the integration of patient values into hospital practices.
Jill, Robert and Hanadi are all PFAs who contributed to the updated PDOV. Jill, a retired health care leader and dedicated family caregiver, knows the value of the patient and family voice in making decisions.
“The PDOV isn’t just a document. It is a living framework that embeds the patient’s voice into the DNA of the hospital,” she said. “It transforms the dynamic into a shared ownership of care, where patients know what to expect and staff are held to meaningful commitments."
Robert felt he had valuable insights to help improve patient care after supporting his wife at the hospital while she recovered from major surgery. “Patients are at the receiving end of treatment and services. Their perspectives help staff better understand the people they’re caring for,” he noted. “I appreciate the opportunity to participate meaningfully in the development and implementation of policies and procedures that support the excellent staff at JBH.”
Hanadi, a newcomer to Canada, added how meaningful the document is to her and others navigating the health system for the first time. “For newcomers like me, the Patient Declaration of Values builds trust. We know that our voices are heard and that our unique needs, like language support, cultural understanding, and feeling safe in a new environment, are recognized,” she said. “That’s what makes a hospital not just a place of treatment, but a place of healing.”