Improving Access to Health Services
The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring that the delivery
of health services to First Nations and Inuit people is efficient,
effective and sustainable.
First Nations and Inuit people receive health care services from
the following health systems:
- Federally funded health services in First Nations and Inuit
communities; and
- Provincial/Territorial health systems.
Health Canada shares an interest with other governments in improving
the quality of and access to health services for First Nations
people and Inuit. One way is through better coordination of health
care services and programs offered by the various health systems
(including those operated by First Nations and Inuit communities
themselves under Health Transfer or self-government agreements).
Health Integration Initiative
The Health Integration Initiative was created in April 2003 to
explore, develop, and analyze models of integration for the improved
delivery of health care services and programs to First Nations
people and Inuit. It will conclude in March 2006.
Integration is seen as a tool for organizing services behind the
scenes so that the patient receives better health care. It involves
people working together on a common goal of improving the health
of First Nations people and Inuit.
Activities consist of workshops for information sharing, gathering
of best practices, and time-limited projects that will explore
approaches to integration. Participating partners include First
Nations and Inuit communities and organizations, regional and district
health authorities, provincial and territorial governments, and
Health Canada.
Health Integration Initiative Projects
The Health Integration Initiative has funded eight projects with
First Nations and Inuit across Canada.
Eight projects are underway in the following provinces and territory:
- Nova Scotia
- New Brunswick
- Ontario
- Manitoba
- Alberta
- Vancouver
- Nunavut
Each project has a distinct focus based on the priorities and
needs of the community or communities involved. These projects
are exploring how to improve collaboration among the health systems
that deliver services and programs to First Nations and Inuit people.
Each project is based on an agreement among different levels of government:
federal, provincial or territorial, and First Nations or Inuit
community or organization. These partners share a vision of timely,
respectful and efficient health care that responds to the needs
of First Nations and Inuit communities. As part of their evaluations,
projects will report on lessons learned and share their knowledge
about integration. They will examine how well they were able to
work together, what helped them and what, if anything, delayed
their progress.
For more information about a specific project, select one of the
following project names:
- Nova Scotia and New Brunswick Nursing
Collaborative Policy Development
This project reviews nursing policies and standards for nurses
working in First Nations communities in Atlantic Canada, with
a goal of joint training and knowledge sharing with the provinces.
- Integrated Primary Health Care
for Elsipogtog First Nation
This project, located in New Brunswick, seeks to integrate community-based
services and to improve collaboration among health care providers
located within the community and at regional hospitals and clinics.
- A Model for the Delivery of
Primary and Public Health Care Services to the Communities
of Sioux Lookout Zone
This project, located in northwestern Ontario, is developing
a plan for a holistic primary health care system that will integrate
all services under a First Nations governance structure.
- Weeneebayko Area Health Integration
Initiative
This project, located in northeastern Ontario, completes the
merging of two federal and provincial hospitals and will create
a First Nations Regional Health Authority for the delivery of
health services.
- Norway House Cree Nation Health
Care Integration Planning Project
This project, located in northern Manitoba, is developing a plan
for integrating federal and provincial health programs for all
residents, including those living in the town of Norway House
and members of the Norway House Cree Nation.
- Many Jurisdictions, One System:
A Diabetes Integration Partnership Project
This project, located in northwestern Alberta, explores an integrated
approach to diabetic care and seeks improved collaboration among
the North Peace Tribal Council, the Northern Lights Health Authority,
and Capital Health in Edmonton.
- Vancouver Island Chronic
Illness Care Project
This project explores an integrated approach to the management
of chronic illness care in 48 First Nations communities.
- Integrating Health Promotion and
Illness Prevention Programs in Nunavut
This project reviews existing health promotion programs with
a goal of harmonizing federal and territorial health care in
the areas of maternal health, child health, dental health, and
addictions treatment.
When the Health Integration Initiative projects are completed
in the spring of 2006, the experiences and lessons from each of
the eight integration projects will be reviewed by project partners
and FNIHB. These are expected to play a part in creating health
integration policies for the delivery of health services to First
Nations and Inuit people, with the aim of improving the delivery
of health services for First Nations people and Inuit.
For More Information
For more information on the Health Integration Initiative, contact
the First Nations and Inuit
Health Branch.
|