The Ontario Health Quality Council (http://www.ohqc.ca) released its first yearly report for 2006. The summary document that is being distributed in newspapers across the province and is available online at http://www.ohqc.ca/en/docs/OHQC_Summary_2006EN.pdf documents two very important findings.

1. "Research suggests some groups, in particular the poor, immigrants, rural residents and aboriginals face greater difficulties in getting care."
2. We believe investing in e-health — using information technology to manage health, arrange, deliver and account for care, and manage the health-care system — will do the most to improve all the attributes of a high-performing health system. E-health includes creating electronic health records for all patients, health-information management systems and telehealth — the use of technology to deliver care at a distance. Better, more widespread and integrated use of technology will mean:

• Improved decisions about care
• More effective diagnosis and treatment
• Fewer medical errors
• Greater patient safety
• Increased efficiency
• Better access to services
• Better research on both care and how to run the system
• Information to support continuous quality improvement

FROM: THE TORONTO STAR NEWSPAPER -  
http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1146049088334&call_pageid=968256289824&col=968342212737
 
Aboriginals, Immigrants Lose Out On Health Care, Report Suggests - Apr. 26, 2006 - CANADIAN PRESS

Aboriginals, immigrants and low-income families have less access to health care in Ontario than most other residents, says a report released Wednesday by a new agency established to monitor medicare in the province.

The first report of the Ontario Health Quality Council called it a "disturbing reality" that some Ontario residents aren't getting the health care they need "because of who they are."

Council chairman Ray Hession said the agency is simply reporting the reality of the current situation in Ontario, but has not yet had time to determine the reasons behind the findings.

"The indications that led us to say that are what they are: there is disparity, there is inequity," Hession told a news conference.

"We need to assiduously find the reasons why, particularly in the area (of) the aboriginal community."

The council, an arm's-length agency established last fall by the Liberal government, also found higher-income Ontario residents suffering from chest pains get to hospitals faster than those earning lower incomes, who tend to suffer from more serious ailments.

It said women are 50 per cent more likely than men to get a prescription for a tranquillizer, but women with heart disease are less likely to receive diagnostic tests and surgery.

"I imagine there are attitudinal influences there," Hession said.

Surprisingly, the council found northern Ontario residents have better access to heart procedures, hip and knee replacements and cataract and cancer surgeries than those in the south.

But despite all that care, northerners are less healthy and live shorter lives, the report said.

"The north health network is a superb example of the use of communications and technology to deliver care, remotely," Hession said.

"Ontario probably has the best — if not the most widely used — such facilities, but it still leaves us with degrees of disparity. But it's a whole lot better now than was the case."

Health Promotion Minister Jim Watson said the Liberals would use the data in the council's report to find ways to address the shortcomings in health-care delivery.

"It's helpful for us, because it acts as an opportunity for us as a government to improve the health-care system," he said. "I don't look at it as a negative — I look at it as good information."

NDP Leader Howard Hampton said the Liberal government is to blame for many of the problems uncovered in the report.

"Low-income Ontarians and aboriginal people are paying more for health care through the new McGuinty health tax, and are getting less access to health care," he said. "It just shows some of the fundamental unfairness under the McGuinty government."

Conservative health critic Elizabeth Witmer called the report ``an embarrassment" to the Liberal government.

"It's not showing a lot of improvements in recent years," she said.

The health council also said Ontario and Canada should act much more quickly to establish electronic records for every patient, which it believes are fundamental to measuring the performance of the health-care system.

"That's the No. 1 issue if we're going to see real quality improvement in our health system in this province," Hession said. ``What's taking so long? Why are we so tentative about this?"

The council used a 2004 study to determine there were 32,000 people in Ontario who had what it calls "adverse events" after entering hospitals or long-term care facilities, but complained it couldn't adequately determine the exact nature of those events without electronic patient records.

The report found that only four per cent of Ontario hospitals had dedicated stroke units, which have been proven to reduce deaths and costly stays in hospital, but that information was based on data from 1997. Updated figures on the number of stroke units were not available.

Hession said instead of focusing on waiting lists, governments should address the issue of "appropriate access to appropriate care in an appropriate setting."

He said the waiting lists are a result of health-care cutbacks implemented by the previous Conservative government in the mid-1990s, when the numbers of nurses and doctors were reduced.

The Fifth Healing Our Spirit Worldwide Gathering of Indigenous people from around the world
- Edmonton, Alberta, Canada - August 6 to 11, 2006

Visit http://www.hosw.com for more information.

Be sure to watch the video showing how this international movement and now the fifth gathering began with a vision by respected elder, Maggie Hodgson.

The Ontario Aboriginal Health Advocacy Initiative is a free information and training resource for front line and community service worker. Workshops can be tailored for your audience. All we ask of you is to set up participants, and arrange for suitable space.

TWO DAY WORKSHOP

Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)

• Participants will examine their attitudes about suicide, learn how to effectively recognize and review the risk of suicide and develop intervention skills.

ONE DAY WORKSHOPS

Communications and Conflict

• Presents the elements of effective communication and resolution of conflicts through participant based case studies.

Cultural Sensitivity

• Provides cultural sensitivity training for front line/community workers and mainstream service providers.

Hepatitis C

• Provides information about Hepatitis C and it’s prevalence within Aboriginal communities with a focus on prevention and harm reduction.

Report and Proposal Writing

• Presents the complete proposal writing process from planning to evaluation.

Traditional Health: A Guided Discussion on Access and Issues

• Presents Aboriginal traditional concepts of health, the development of traditional health programs and client access issues.

Youth Healthy Sexuality

• Designed to educate front line workers/community members about healthy sexuality and to foster improved sexual health education to Aboriginal youth.

HALF DAY WORKSHOPS

Advocacy for Front Line Workers

• Identifies types of advocacy and the skills and attitudes necessary to be an effective advocate.

Complaints Process: College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario

• Provides basic information about the Regulated Health Professions Act and the formal complaints process for the C.P.S.O. including appeals and alternative complaint routes.

SuicideTALK (can be tailored to a one hour presentation)

• Is aimed for most community members to help make it easier to have open and honest talk about suicide.

PRESENTATIONS

MADD Awareness Training

• MADD Canada (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) PowerPoint presentation reviews MADD services and how to access MADD for community development.

Vicarious and Intergenerational Trauma

• A PowerPoint presentation designed to facilitate discussion.

There are three other Health Advocacy Developers located throughout Ontario.

www.anishnawbe-mushkiki.org 

For Further Information, please call the North West Health Advocacy Developer at Anishnawbe Mushkiki Aboriginal Health Centre in Thunder Bay, Ontario at 807.343.4843 or email at healthadvo@anishnawbe-mushkiki.org. Her name is Michelle Richmond-Saravia. Feel free to drop in at Anishnawbe Mushkiki as well. The address is 29 Royston Court, Thunder Bay, Ontario. We are locatted in Port Arthur off Camelot Street and Algoma Street.

NOTE: The funds provided through the Aboriginal Healing and Wellness Strategy are intended to provide an Aboriginal Health Advocacy Developers initiative. The purpose of the Health Advocate initiative is to address issues and concerns with regard to the equitable access to and quality of health services for Aboriginal, First Nations and Metis people throughout the province of Ontario. The Aboriginal Health Advocacy Developers focus on facilitating awareness, training and education of Aboriginal health service providers, front-line workers and organization representatives about various systems, protocols and approaches for dealing with various barriers to access to health services. The Initiative does not provide direct advocacy services. It is anticipated that Aboriginal cultural approaches will be reflected or used as a part of the activities and services proposed.

NAN Rejects Health Regionalization Scheme

Posted by: Communications and Media  jyoung@nan.on.ca 3/1/2006

In a news release distributed Wednesday March 1, 2006 NAN Deputy Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler is demanding the provincial government withdraw its plan to impose Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs) on the 49 First Nation communities within NAN territory and begin government to government negotiations regarding the Province’s treaty obligations for health care delivery.

NEWS RELEASE

NAN REJECTS HEALTH REGIONALIZATION SCHEME

THUNDER BAY, ON Wednesday March 1, 2006: Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Deputy Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler is demanding the provincial government withdraw its plan to impose Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs) on the 49 First Nation communities within NAN territory and begin government to government negotiations regarding the Province’s treaty obligations for health care delivery.

“By negotiating health care delivery on a government to government basis with NAN, the Province will show they are interested in fulfilling their obligations as a treaty partner,” said Deputy Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler who’s responsible for the health portfolio at NAN.  “First Nations health care must be First Nations designed and controlled.”

Fiddler’s comments come after a year of futile discussions that led to no real changes and ignored Health Minister George Smitherman’s own proposed amendments to Bill 36 (LHINS) that passed at the provincial legislature in Toronto this afternoon. 

Fiddler is also demanding health care and health care funding reflect the demographic and geographic realities of remote First Nation communities in Ontario and hopes by fulfilling treaty obligations the people of Nishnawbe Aski can maintain control over existing First Nations health authorities.

“The regional health scheme of LHINS ignores the First Nation treaty partnership with Ontario which threatens remote First Nations with more travel to access medical treatment,” said Fiddler.  “LHINS reduces local control of health delivery by existing First Nation health authorities, making the system even more ‘centralized’ and culturally insensitive than it already is.”

NAN Grand Chief Stan Beardy is concerned the implementation of LHINs reflects a larger constitutional issue whereby Ontario has failed to consult and accommodate First Nations.

“The bigger issue is that although Ontario is legally bound to consult and accommodate First Nations, the Province has failed to do so before implementing changes to health care delivery,” said NAN Grand Chief Stan Beardy.  

Among the total 14 LHINs in Ontario, LHIN 13 and 14 include communities within NAN territory.  Northeastern LHIN 13 has a total of 41 First Nation communities, 19 of which belong to NAN.  LHIN 14 in the Northwest has a total of 66 First Nation communities, 30 of which belong to NAN.  33 First Nations in the two Northern LHINs are remote fly-in communities. 

***

For more information please contact:

Jenna Young NAN Communications Officer (807) 625 4952 OR (807) 628 3953 (mobile)

From Union of Ontario Indians web site at http://www.anishinabek.ca/uoi/

February 24, 2006

TORONTO - The Anishinabek Nation is supporting a First Nations-specific approach to health-care programs being delivered to its citizens in Ontario.

Grand Council Chief John Beaucage joined a delegation of First Nations leaders who presented the First Nations-Ontario Health Accord at Queens Park Thursday.

“A jointly agreed upon Health Accord is consistent with both the government-to-government relationship, the government’s policy of a New Approach to Aboriginal Affairs and ensures the continued protection of our aboriginal and treaty rights,” he said.

The proposed Health Accord concept was endorsed by all First Nations in Ontario on February 10, 2006, and offers the province a “single-window” approach to dealing with First Nations governments in the areas of health and healing. It addresses First Nations concerns that the pan-aboriginal approach to administering First Nations and Métis programs is no longer acceptable.

Beaucage expressed disappointment that, since the McGuinty government instituted its New Approach to Aboriginal Affairs policy in June 2005, First Nations, Métis and even non-governmental service providers have been dealt with in a "homogenous" way.

“The use of the term ‘aboriginal’ has concerned all First Nations people,” he said.  “This new government policy and this homogenous term have been used as a “catch-all” to deal with First Nations and Métis issues. To group all aboriginal people in Ontario together, and refuse to deal with First Nations on a government-to-government basis is to show disrespect to our people."

First Nations leaders from across the province met with The Hon. Sandra Pupatello, Minister of Community and Social Services, after learning that The Hon. George Smitherman, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, and The Hon. Mary Anne Chambers, Minister of Children and Youth Services both backed out of the scheduled meeting at the last minute.

Discussions centred around concerns of the provincial Aboriginal Healing and Wellness Strategy (AHWS), an initiative that funds various community health and family violence programs across Ontario.  First Nations leaders contend that Ontario’s policy in dealing with AHWS is not consistent with a true government-to-government relationship.

"Although there have been some successes, the continuation of the Aboriginal Healing and Wellness Strategy in its current form is no longer acceptable," Beaucage told the meeting. " From our perspective, significant change is needed." He agreed with Minister Pupatello about the need for increased accountability for health-care programs serving First Nations citizens and for First Nations to have a greater say on the design, delivery and evaluation of them.

First Nations leaders also used the meeting to raise concerns about the controversial Bill 36, the Local Health Systems Integration Act, designed to establish 14 Local Health Integration Networks across the province to oversee health care delivery. They maintain that First Nations specific needs, interests, and rights have been ignored to date in the legislative process. 

The Anishinabek Nation incorporated the Union of Ontario Indians as its secretariat in 1949. The UOI is a political advocate for 42 member First Nations across Ontario. The UOI is the oldest political organization in Ontario and can trace its roots back to the Confederacy of Three Fires, which existed long before European contact.

The National Aboriginal Diabetes Association (www.nada.ca) is hosting a three day conference in Winnipeg this week. Click here to find out more information about this conference.

From CBC News - Feb 13, 2006

Conference aims to prevent native diabetes 'pandemic'

A conference in Winnipeg is looking for ideas to stem the growing tide of diabetes among Canada's aboriginal community.

Diabetes among aboriginal people was virtually unheard of in the 1940s, but today the risk of Type 2 diabetes among aboriginal populations is estimated at three to five times higher than for non-natives, according to the Canadian Diabetes Association.

The National Aboriginal Diabetes Association estimates Manitoba could see the number of cases of diabetes triple over the next 20 years in what aboriginal leaders and health professionals are calling a "pandemic."

"Pandemic means that a disease is throughout the entire country," said Alex McComber, one of the conference chairs, who sits on the board of the National Aboriginal Diabetes Association. "If we talk about the phrase using Indian country, it's there, it's everywhere."

Conference delegates say diet, lack of exercise, genetics and stress contribute to the problem, as does lack of access to fresh food in aboriginal communities, especially in the North.

"It's horrendous to eat healthy in the northern communities if you are relying on one store to provide all the food," said McComber, who has helped to teach young Mohawk students about proper diet and exercise at the Kahnawake First Nation near Montreal.

"We know that foods high in fat, high in sugar, high in salt, preservatives, etc., are very inexpensive to send, and they have a long shelf life," making them less expensive and more popular for people living on remote First Nations.

Isabelle Shannacappo, from the Rolling River First Nation, near Riding Mountain, Man., says part of the solution is also personal responsibility.

"We cannot control the diabetes without the help of the people," said Shannacappo, who has had Type 2 diabetes for more than 20 years. "The people have to do their own prevention."

Shannacappo said governments should help provide financial support for dieticians on reserves to help people eat better. She also said, where possible, it's crucial to help get fresh, affordable food to remote communities.

Theresa Oswald, Manitoba's minister of healthy living, says the provincial government is working on programs to grow fresh produce in the North.

It's estimated almost 20 per cent of the First Nations population in Manitoba will contract diabetes.

First ministers meeting in Kelowna, B.C., last fall listed diabetes prevention as one of their top priorities in addressing aboriginal poverty and health care.

Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority - Transitional Youth Initiatives Program is hosting a 2 day workshop scheduled for February 8 & 9, 2006 in Sioux Lookout.

The workshop is being planned to support community service providers in First Nations that are served by Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority.  The TYIP will cover the accommodations and travel expenses for 1 person per community.

The focus of the workshop is to help create a strong awareness of the Transitional Youth Initiatives Program, as well as other developmental services in the area.

For more information, please contact Rita Duncan at 1-800-842-0681 - ext 6111, or 807-737-6111.  Email: Rita.Duncan@nodin.on.ca

Call for Papers:

Northern Research Conference June 2-3, 2006 Algoma University College, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, CANADA

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) welcomes you to the First Annual Northern Research Conference to be held in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. This conference demonstrates NOSM's commitment to health care and education to the people of Northern Ontario and beyond. The conference explores research activities within Northern Ontario arising from community-based activities and will highlight projects underway from students, residents and community-based researchers. The conference is also aimed at creating collaborative opportunities and community networking.

Abstract Submission Guidelines

On behalf of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, the Scientific Program Committee is inviting the submission of scientific abstracts on the following subject areas but not limited to:

* Clinical Research
* Cancer diagnostics
* Radio-therapy (device testing, device training, research)
* Cancer Basic Research
* Mitochondrial DNA Research
* Bio-Prospecting
* Population Health/Public Health Issues
* Occupational Health
* Rural and Remote Health Care Services
* Telemedicine
* Environmental Medicine
* Aboriginal Health/Medicine
* Rural Health Economics
* Program Evaluation
* Health Education
* Medical Education (CME, CPD, FD)

The research work submitted should be original and innovative. Presentations will be either in oral form or as poster presentations. The length of the oral presentations is expected to be 15 minutes in duration including discussion. The Abstract Review Committee, which will evaluate all submitted Abstracts, reserves the right to accept or reject any paper and make a final decision on the form of presentation.

Abstract submissions should adhere to the following guidelines:

* Abstracts should not exceed 300 words in length
* Tables may be included - each counts as 75 words
* Graphics/photos are permitted - each counts as 75 words
* Abstracts will be accepted in any language with translation to English requested

Abstracts should be submitted in electronic form through this website (link will be available early in January)  www.normed.ca  However, if unable to submit form electronically, forward four copies and CD or Disk by mail to:

Denise Smith, RN
Health Professional Development Coordinator Northeastern Ontario Medical
Education Corporation (NOMEC) Health Sciences Education Resource Centre,
Laurentian University
935 Ramsey Lake Rd.  Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6
Phone: 1-800-461-8777 or 705-688-0200 x2212
Fax:  705-688-0186
Email: smithd@nomec.on.ca

* The deadline for Abstract submission is, February 15, 2006

Authors of submitted Abstracts will be informed of the Abstract Review Committee's decision March 7, 2006. Acceptance notices will be sent by e-mail to the corresponding author. Subsequent communications, including details on the format and timing of oral and poster presentations will be sent to the designated presenting author(s).

Please note:  All oral and poster Abstract presenters will be responsible for their own Registration Fees - please do not wait for official Abstract acceptance to register.

Members of the Scientific Program Abstract Review Committee include:

* Dr. Greg Ross, Associate Dean, Research (NOSM)
* Ms. Joyce Helmer, Director of Faculty Development (NOSM)
* Dr. Silvana Spadafora, Algoma Regional Cancer Program Section Leader, Internal Medicine Northern Ontario School of Medicine
* Dr. Arthur H. Perlini, Dean (Algoma University College, Laurentian University)

Potential Financial Conflicts of Interest should be reported.  Funding sources for your research should be reported.  Failure to do so may jeopardize your application submission.

Submission forms available on line early in January at www.normed.ca

For further information please contact:

Denise Smith, RN
Health Professional Development Coordinator Northeastern Ontario Medical
Education Corporation (NOMEC) Health Sciences Education Resource Centre,
Laurentian University
935 Ramsey Lake Rd.  Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6
phone: 1-800-461-8777 or 705-688-0200 x2212
fax:  705-688-0186
email:  smithd@nomec.on.ca

NAN Press Release from NAN web site at http://www.nan.on.ca

After the third suicide of 2006, NAN Deputy Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler declared suicide prevention funding must be a priority with the new federal government.

NEWS RELEASE - 1/10/2006

NAN CALLS ON HEALTH CANADA TO EXPEDITE FUNDING PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION

THUNDER BAY, ON Tuesday January 10, 2006: Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Deputy Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler today declared suicide prevention funding must be a priority with the new federal government.

"Because service providers are busy dealing with crisis response, long term prevention strategies get put on hold," said NAN Deputy Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler. "It's time we see some of the $65 million announced as part of Health Canada's $400 million package (fall of 2004) and re-evaluate the protocol hurdles currently enforced at the regional level."

Fiddler's comments come after the third completed suicide in Pikangikum First Nation already this year.

"We're only nine days into 2006 and we've already lost three of our youth if that doesn't show the severity of the growing need for suicide prevention in our communities I don't know what will," said Fiddler when he heard of the most recent suicide Monday morning.

There were 24 completed suicides in NAN territory in 2005. The last four suicides have taken place in Pikangikum First Nation a community of approximately 2000 in the Northwest area of NAN.

Fiddler, together with NAN Grand Chief Stan Beardy, is meeting with provincial Health and Long Term Care Minister George Smitherman in Toronto Wednesday. The two leaders are urgently requesting to meet with the federal Health Minister.

* * *

For more information please contact:

Jenna Young
Communications Officer
Nishnawbe Aski Nation
(807) 625 4952
(807) 628 3953 (mobile)

A full page ad in the December 29 issue of Wawatay News provides an update on the status of the Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority District Health Plan.

Jim Morris, Executive Director of SLFNHA writes:

"The Anishinabe Sioux Lookout District Health plan is an important step in the development of a health system that is First Nations focused and driven; it is a system that takes into account the uniqueness of health service delivery which is unlike that of the rest of Ontario. The project planning  to date has reflected the uniqueness and also the sameness of First Nations health needs. It is about developing a health system that will allow the communities to form ownership and pride in a health system that will enhance the current health system and ensure that the future First Nations generations will have the opportunity to benefit and to participate in a health system that will address both illness and preventive health. This Anishinabe Dirstrict Health Plan project is rooted in healing our communities rather than just being treatment focused. We look forward to hearing more comments, feedback and most important of all direction in the New Year from First Nations people, health service workers and First Nation leadership."

To read more about the Anishinabe District Health Plan online, everyone is invited to view updates and information about the plan on the SLFNHA web site at http://www.nodin.on.ca/dhp.htm. To provide feedback and ask questions contact SLFNHA directly by calling Anna McKay or Joe Beardy at 888-842-8681 or by e-mail at anna.mckay@nodin.on.ca or joe.beardy@nodin.on.ca

Upcoming meeting dates about the District Health Plan are:

1. Sioux Lookout area First Nations Health Directors and Primary Healthcare Working Group will meet on January 24-26 in Sioux Lookout.
2. Sioux Lookout District Chiefs Meeting on February 22-23 in Thunder Bay