Aboriginal Envelope - Health System Renewal Initiatives

Community and Organizational Transition to Enhance the Health Status of all Northerners

$3,272,536

The Northern Health Strategy Working Group represents a partnership among all of the First Nation and regional health authorities that are collectively responsible for delivery of health services to a total population of 34,000 across the northern half of Saskatchewan.

The population is composed mostly of Cree, Dene and English speaking people. The NHS Working Group, which is co-chaired by the Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority and the Mamawetan Churchill River Regional Health Authority, worked collaboratively to develop the Community and Organization Transition to Enhance the Health Status of all Northerners initiative.

Partners:

Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority (representing the Meadow Lake Tribal Council, Prince Albert Grand Council, Lac La Ronge Indian Band, and Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation); Athabasca Health Authority (a multi-jurisdictional health authority composed of First Nation and provincial communities); Keewatin Yatthè Regional Health Authority; Kelsey Trail Regional Health Authority; Mamawetan Churchill River Regional Health Authority; Saskatchewan Health, Northern Relations; and First Nations and Inuit Health Branch, Saskatchewan Region.

Objectives:

To utilize existing working relationships among various jurisdictions to move to a primary health care approach that is more comprehensive, accessible, co-ordinated, accountable, integrated, and sustainable. By creating individual teams of inter-disciplinary providers from all jurisdictions, the initiative will seek to reduce service delivery delays, gaps, and overlap in order to maximize available resources and economies of scale.

Activities:

• Community development;
• Cross-jurisdictional decision-making regarding access and establishment of a base of core primary health care services;
• Recruitment and retention strategies across all jurisdictions;
• Educational and training opportunities, particularly around change management;
• Establish integrated information systems; and
• Dissemination and evaluation.

Expected Results:

A more co-ordinated approach across jurisdictions in the planning and delivery of primary health care services. By reducing jurisdictional barriers, individuals will receive more seamless services resulting in improved health outcomes. Particular improvements are expected in areas of chronic disease management, mental health and addictions, and injury prevention.

Contact:

Lionel Chabot
CEO - Mamawetan Churchill River Regional Health Authority
227 Backlund Street
La Ronge, SK S0J 1L0
Tel: (306) 425-4818
Fax: (306) 425-5432
Email: lionel.chabot@mcrrha.sk.ca
paths.sasktelwebsite.net