Health Care Advocacy · Ontario
Health Care Advocacy in Ontario: We Help You Get Heard
"In health care, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. We're here to help you squeak."
When a family member or friend is ill or has special needs, you may find yourself in the role of advocate — an uncomfortable position, especially if you're not the adversarial type or you're unfamiliar with the health care system. The struggle to obtain treatment or services can feel never-ending, and the lack of coordination in the system quickly becomes apparent.
Complete Intake FormHow We Can Help
Ways we assist with health care advocacy
Providing advice on your legal rights and obligations
Negotiating on your behalf, or helping you stand up for yourself
Seeking accommodation
Drafting demand letters
Representing you at legal tribunals, including the Consent and Capacity Board (CCB) and the Health Professions Appeal and Review Board (HPARB)
Appealing refusals to provide treatment or services
Advocating against an unsafe hospital discharge
Advocating for better care when a loved one with dementia isn't getting the support they need in a long-term care home
Pushing back when a health care facility favours one family member over another — for example, restricting visitors based on the wishes of an attorney for personal care who doesn't actually have authority over that decision
Advocating for treatment — including involuntary admission where appropriate — for a loved one with a mental illness
Seeking OHIP reimbursement for out-of-country health services
Negotiating bills for health care services
Making privacy complaints
Packaging your story before contacting the media
Representing your position to health care institutions
Reviewing and providing feedback on your draft correspondence or complaint
How Lisa Feldstein Law Office Can Help
Focused experience in Ontario health advocacy
Lisa Feldstein has focused her legal practice on family caregivers since 2013. She is an Adjunct Professor of Health Care Law at York University, and has been published and interviewed in outlets including the Canadian Journal of Family Law, CTV, and the National Post.
Frequently Asked Questions
Health care advocacy: common questions
What does "health care advocacy" actually involve?+
It can mean many things — from writing a demand letter or negotiating with a provider, to formal representation at a tribunal. We tailor our involvement to what your situation actually needs.
Do you represent clients at tribunals?+
Yes, including the Consent and Capacity Board (CCB) and the Health Professions Appeal and Review Board (HPARB). We generally don't pursue Health Services Appeal and Review Board (HSARB) matters, since the majority of those cases aren't successful — we bring OHIP-related cases to the review committee instead.
What if I just want feedback on a letter I've already written?+
That's something we're happy to help with. We can review and provide feedback on draft correspondence or complaints, without necessarily taking over the whole matter.
What if a facility is favouring one family member's wishes over another's?+
This comes up more than people expect — for example, a facility restricting visitors based on instructions from an attorney for personal care, when that attorney doesn't actually have authority over that decision. We can help you understand what authority is actually in play, and push back where it's being overstepped.
Can you help get treatment for a loved one with a mental illness?+
Yes. We advocate for treatment for loved ones with a mental illness, including involuntary admission where appropriate. See our Mental Health Law page for more.
Do you help with dementia care disputes in long-term care homes?+
Yes. We advocate for better care when a loved one with dementia isn't getting the support they need. See our Elder Law page for more on navigating long-term care disputes.
How do I get started?+
The first step is completing our Intake Form, linked throughout this page.
Related Legal Topics
You may also find these pages useful
Ready to get help advocating for a loved one?
Complete Intake FormLisa Feldstein Law Office Professional Corporation
Richmond Hill, Ontario L4B 3P4
Canada
Tel: 416-937-8768
