Health Sciences North forms Indigenous Health Advisory Council
Health advocates at Health Sciences North in Sudbury are looking for volunteers to help them improve health outcomes for Indigenous patients.
They're looking to set up an Indigenous Health Advisory Council that will provide guidance and advice on evaluating current service gaps.
The aim is to address and prioritize more effective methods of delivering services to Indigenous peoples.
"So HSN has endeavoured in their strategic plan to ensure that they're providing culturally safe, relevant services to Indigenous people," said Deanna Jones-Keeshig, director of Indigenous health.
"It's quite a big region, we have people that come from many different communities to Health Sciences North for services, so that's what we're doing."
Jones-Keeshig said it’s important for the council to be led by Indigenous people.
“Indigenous people know what's needed to make a difference in health," she said.
Improving the health outcomes for Indigenous people has been at the front of a national discussion after seeing several high-profile failures across the country.
When asked if this was overdue, Keeshig-Jones said she was excited to see HSN move in this direction.
"This is exciting, yes, and this needs to happen -- and it needs to happen not only at HSN but at all hospitals," she said.
"When we look at holistic health, essentially it's comprehensive, it's integrated, there's a continuum of care. HSN is one piece of that continuum. Primary prevention, promotion, all of that needs to be held at Indigenous levels of leadership in their organizations, in communities.”
“We will work in partnership with them, so when Indigenous people come to HSN, what we're doing at that point of the continuum, still needs to be in alignment with what is available to them in their communities, organizations that are also fostering the same approaches,” Keeshig-Jones added.
“So we want to be consistent in that approach.”
The idea has the support of the N'Swakamok Native Friendship Centre, which already works in conjunction with HSN.
"I think it's been a long time coming and that it's finally here and being here and implemented," said health and wellness coordinator Autumn Lewis.
“It's definitely a step in the right direction to creating safer spaces for our community members who are utilizing the services at Health Sciences North.”
Lewis said Indigenous health care is a complex issue and having little steps come together to address issues individually in a holistic manner will help Indigenous people to feel safer in accessing healthcare.
"We work closely with HSN, especially Indigenous patient navigators at Health Sciences North, just to kind of help meet the needs of community members who are accessing services at HSN,” she said.
“Whether that's providing support visits, networking with community agencies so they have better access to services.”
Elizabeth Trudeau works as a translator with the health and wellness at N'Swakamok.
"We do need the help, we need to give community members the help they need,” Trudeau said.
“The translation that we do, there's some that will want translation done for them and that's where I go in and help.”
Trudeau said helping with translation services goes along way toward helping patients feel more comfortable.
The idea also has the support of the Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Reg Niganobe.
"The inclusion and elevation of Indigenous voices in health care is important and it’s a positive step in the right direction in creating the advisory council,” Niganobe said.
“My hope is that this is a starting point which progresses to having Indigenous peoples direct inclusion in decision making and policy making tables at Health Sciences North."
Interested parties have until Jan. 20 to apply.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.