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A review of the university's Health, Counselling and Disability Services (HCDS) has proposed more than 40 recommendations aimed at helping to improve services for students.

“It was very useful to have external experts come in and provide us with ideas and best practices that may be applied here at Queen’s,” says Ann Tierney, Vice-Provost and Dean of Student Affairs. “These recommendations will be taken into consideration as part in the planning process for HCDS.”  

The 41 recommendations relate to HCDS’s organizational structure, operational model, resourcing, funding, facilities and collaborative opportunities.

“Some of the recommendations are very much in line with initiatives already in progress,” says Tierney. “For example, we have already been discussing changing the name of the Disability Services Office to something that focuses on accessibility. Also, Health Services is in the process of implementing an electronic medical record system that would help facilitate a case management approach.”

The review was established to identify opportunities to enhance the provision of high quality and effective student health, wellness and accessibility services by HCDS. It was conducted over two days last October by Debbie Bruckner, Director of the SU Wellness Centre at the University of Calgary, and David McMurray, Vice-President of Student Affairs at Wilfrid Laurier University; they spent most of their time meeting with staff, students and key stakeholders to explore opinions related to HCDS services, supports, programs, structure, resources and best practices.

There were also two open meetings and comments were requested through a short online questionnaire, with the option to submit anonymously. Approximately 70 comments were received.

“We are very appreciative of the input from students, staff, faculty and community service providers during this process,” says Tierney. “Ultimately our goal is to improve these vital student wellness services in any way we can. We will now begin prioritizing next steps, and consulting with staff to determine what recommendations may be most applicable.”

Click to read the review report.