Whidbey General Hospital is seeking applicants for a new Patient Advisory Council with the aim of gathering the voice of the community on health affairs.

“We want people who have a commitment to have the best hospital it can possibly be,” said Linda Gipson, the hospital’s chief nursing officer, at Monday’s regular board meeting. “We want them to have a voice.”

Specifically, the hospital is seeking people who have been a patient at the hospital or have had a family member treated there, according to Trish Rose, hospital spokeswoman.

“We’ll ask them to submit ideas and advice about what they think makes an exceptional patient experience,” Rose said. “We will also ask their help in designing processes and procedures that are patient friendly and will contribute to a great patient experience.”

The details are still being finalized and an application deadline has not been set. But the group is expected to meet quarterly and Gipson said sub-committees may be formed to tackle specific topics or issues.

The creation of the new council comes on the heels of a divisive lawsuit in which Gipson was acquitted in April of assaulting a mentally ill patient last year.

Gipson said the nursing staff has also been undergoing additional training on dealing with mental illness and that additional mental health beds have been added to the hospital’s service capabilities.

New CEO Geri Forbes said Monday she was pleased to hear about efforts to create a PAC because as a public hospital, Whidbey General needs to take heed of the “voice of the customer.”

Those interested in serving on the new board can contact Jenny Jackson at 360-678-7656 or 360-321-7656 ext. 4001 or at jacksj@whidbeygen.org.