Health Authority Update on the Sioux Lookout Anishinabe District Health Plan
SIOUX LOOKOUT FIRST NATIONS HEALTH AUTHORITY
The Sioux Lookout Anishinabe District Health Plan: What we have done and need to do?
What is the District Health Plan?
The District Health Plan is a planning project funded by the Province of Ontario and Health Canada through March 31, 2006. The goal is to provide better access to coordinated health services.
What we have done?
- Working groups have been established to ensure your voice is heard.
- 385 individuals in 26 communities have participated in a survey about health needs in community. You have told us that –
- The major health priorities are: diabetes and its complications; asthma and respiratory conditions; addictions; heart disease; and mental health.
- The causes of poor health include: lifestyle factors such as change in or poor diet, lack of exercise; and loss of traditional lifestyle; environmental issues such as pollutants, mold and dust; self-destructive behaviors such as excessive alcohol intake and drug abuse.
- This information is being used to plan services for the communities.
- 168 health workers responded to a survey about the available health services.
- Health Canada, the Province of Ontario and the physicians are committed to and working with us to make this plan a success.
- We have looked at the work of other Aboriginal communities who have come together to provide better health services to their communities.
- We have reached consensus on our vision, mission, and principles for the primary health care system.
What needs to be done?
A tight timeline lies ahead to complete the design and implementation plan. The work includes:
- Planning what services are provided and where.
- Identifying the team of health care providers, what they do, where they work and how they work together.
- Negotiating the physician agreements to ensure access and stable funding.
- Determining how we will govern this health system.
- Determining the financial and human resource requirements to make the system work.
- Developing a district health plan for the reinvestment of federal savings.
- Designing the implementation plan.
For more information or to provide feedback contact the Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority at 1-800-842-0681 and ask for the Communication Coordinators. Anna Mckay or Joe Beardy or email anna.mckay@nodin.on.ca and joe.beardy@nodin.on.ca Any input is welcomed, please share anything that you think is important in regards to health.