Whitehorse Roundtable Report

Minister Bennett
May 2004

Overview

• 15 participants came together in Whitehorse to present individual and organizational views on public health and the role of a Canadian Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC). All participants appreciated the opportunity to provide input. A few expressed their cynicism with respect to success of federal government initiatives.
• The Yukon Territorial Government representatives attended the Roundtable as observers and did not take a participatory approach.
• The participants expressed the importance of involvement of all Yukoners and suggested that any approach to a Public Health Agency of Canada should take into account the effectiveness of a community-based approach that reflects community specific capacity and is culturally relevant.

1. Regarding a Mandate for a Public Health Agency of Canada:

Themes and Key Messages

• An important role for the Agency is the development and dissemination of clear, concise, evidence-based information for both the health professional and the community. Health professionals must be able to quickly access appropriate protocols for both emergency situations and more routine health events.
• Mechanisms to address distance and communications systems will be an important part of the national strategy of the new Agency. Weather and sub-optimal communication pathways are everyday obstacles to rapid diagnosis and treatment in remote regions of the country.
• Agency development should build on existing capacity and centres of expertise across the nation, to avoid duplication of effort and resources and to build the existing capacity of each region.
• Clearly defined accountability will be critical.
• Supportive services for First Nations, such as the First Nation Health Programs, at the WGH are important – should include traditional medicines.
• The Agency is to focus resources on strengthening the capacity of rural and remote residents, particularly aboriginal peoples, by training community representatives to play an invaluable role in providing continuity to the public health system in these areas in Canada.
• A role for the PHAC is to set benchmark standards for health care and regulated mechanisms required to achieve parity for these across all ethnic and geographic boundaries in Canada.

2. Public Health Issues:

• Outcomes of health services delivered in French include, speed (rapidity) of services, quality and success of intervention, and prevention and satisfaction of patients. Improved bilingual communication on statistics, surveillance and outcomes is needed.
• Some priorities include, the health of travellers, security of the hospital medivac, number of health professionals, and access to health care in isolated areas.

3. Capacity Issues:

• An outbreak that resulted in one critically ill patient in strict isolation and a handful of health professionals in quarantine would stretch our capacity to the limit. It is beyond our resources. Quarantines would affect infrastructure. Emergence of disease could rapidly immobilize an entire community and all of its services.
• Health Human resource planning must include provision for the rapid movement of health professionals between provinces and territories in time of need. Presently RN regulatory bodies are exploring mechanisms for accelerated recognition of licensure in emergency situations.
• Critical need to develop capacity within our own First Nation members to deliver health services and raise health awareness.

4. Chief Public Health Officer:

• Some participants expressed some skepticism in the ability to develop a public health matrix and planned legislation. Also expressed was concern regarding political interference with governments - federal, territorial, etc., wanting a "finger in the pie".
• Public Health Officer should have autonomy.

5. Collaboration and Partnerships:

• Yukon is unique. Self-government must be recognized. There is a lack of understanding about what First Nations are and what they do. Government-to-Government relationships include First Nation Governments. Strong aboriginal involvement in the planning and implementation of the Agency, as well as in its later governance and staffing.
• Promote further partnering between our community school, college, health station and Nation in enhanced health career projects aimed at encouraging our members, particularly school students to pursue careers in health services.
• Vision / Objectives must come from communities. Always see vision and program mandate developed before it comes to the community. The community must be engaged.