Moose Factory First Nation hospital and area health authority integrating with provincil hospital
Press release
MOOSONEE AND MOOSE FACTORY HOSPITALS TO PROCEED WITH INTEGRATION
Thursday, July 15th, 2010 (Moosonee) – After a three-year process, historic resolutions were signed today in Moosonee, Ontario confirming commitment to integrate the provincial James Bay General Hospital and the federal Weeneebayko Health Ahtuskaywin into the new Weeneebayko Area Health Authority (WAHA).
This historic event involved corporation and collaboration among leadership of the NE LHIN, the Boards, the Chiefs of the Hudson and James Bay communities as well as the Federal, Provincial and Municipal government.
Resolutions by the three hospital boards – Weeneebayko Health Ahtuskaywin, James Bay General Hospital, and WAHA – confirm their commitment to proceed with integration by way of the North East LHIN’s Voluntary Integration process. The goal is to have the integration completed by October 1, 2010.
This integration of hospital programs and services will improve the quality, accessibility, delivery, effectiveness, efficiency and cultural appropriateness of health care services in communities along the Hudson and James Bay Coast. The new WAHA will ensure better coordination of federal and provincial programs and services, as well as improve the utilization of health professionals, facilities and equipment.
WAHA will serve a vast geography with hundreds of kilometers between the area’s communities, many accessible only by air or water.
During the extensive process to achieve today’s milestone of a commitment to voluntary integration, the NE LHIN has attempted to ensure expectations with regards to WAHA are fully met for members of the signatory communities.
The WAHA Board is a community-based regional board and will enter into a service accountability agreement with the North East LHIN once the integration is complete. Similar to the accountability agreements between the North East LHIN and it’s 26 other North East LHIN hospitals, this agreement will outline the funding provided to WAHA and the performance indicators WAHA will meet in the delivery of its services. The WAHA Board members include:
Leo Loone, Chair Fort Albany
Lucille Uiselt, Vice Chair, Moosonee
Andrew Linklater, Treasurer Fort Albany
Henry Koosees, Kashechewan
Johnny Koosees, Kashechewan
Bob Gravel, Moosonee
George Small, Mocreebec
Joe Hunter, Peawanuck
Mike Wabano, Peawanuck
Mike Okimaw, Attawapiskat
Christine Koostachin, Attawapiskat
QUOTES
Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care
“Today’s signing of these resolutions demonstrates the respectful, thoughtful and collaborative approach necessary to respond to the health needs and priorities of Ontario’s residents, particularly in our northern communities.”
Louise Paquette, North East LHIN CEO
“Today’s achievement is made possible by the collective effort of many people, all of whom share the goal of improving the health care status of people living in our communities along the Hudson and James Bay Coast.”
Randy Kapashesit, NE LHIN Board Member
“Both as a North East LHIN Board member, and as a local community member, I look forward to seeing this process result in the improvement of health care services for people living in the communities that the WAHA Board will serve.”
Leo Loone, Chair of WAHA
“After many years of working to improve the health of our people, we are ready to take the next important step to make integration a reality.”
George Small, Chair of Weeneebayko Health Ahtuskaywin
“The Weeneebayko health authority has strived to change health care for the better. The immergence of WAHA is a continuation of our collective efforts.”
Lucille Uiselt, Vice Chair of the James Bay General Hospital and WAHA
“We look forward to a more efficient health care system that will serve all of us and that WAHA will deliver for us.”
Wayne Taipale, Mayor of Moosonee
“The town of Moosonee has always been supportive of working with our neighboring First Nations community to improve health care services for all of us. We are pleased to see the cooperation among the health Board to achieve integration and the formal establishment of WAHA.”
QUICK FACTS
- Approximately 11,500 residents live in the James Bay and Hudson Bay coastal communities
- 87% of Aboriginals living in the James Bay and Hudson Bay Coast (Statistics Canada).
- The Local Health System Integration Act gives LHINs the legislative power and authority they need to effectively plan, coordinate and fund their local health service providers to make it easier for patients to access the care they need.
- The NE LHIN has worked as an active partner in leading and advancing the Weeneebayko Area Health Authority since 2007.
- The Weeneebayko General Hospital is the last and only funded federal hospital in Ontario.
LEARN MORE
For more detailed information on this release, please contact:
Natalie Tarini, Communications Officer: 705-840-2872 ext. 238 or