WAHNAPITAE FIRST NATION -- It’s been years in the making, and the Wahnapitae First Nation in the Sudbury area now has improved access to personalized health care.
People can now go to see Rebecca Foreshew, a full-time nurse practitioner, who is operating a new clinic out of the reserve’s health centre.
"Right now, our scope is very similar to that of a family physician. We can prescribe, diagnose, do complex assessments, and we can also refer to specialists," said Foreshew.
Foreshew spent two years as a Registered Nurse, working in Attawapiskat before accepting the position at the Wahnapitae facility.
Most here don’t have a family doctor, and until now, they’ve had to travel into Sudbury for help.
So, the hundred or so people in the First Nation community are calling it a "game changer."
Wendy Tyson is a Wahnapitae First Nation Band Member that is happy to have this new service right on reserve.
"It’s super! It feels more like community, having our own nurse practitioner here. I think it’s going to put us on the map," said Tyson.
"It’s a huge day for Wahnapitae. We finally get services out here on reserve. Our people don’t have to go into town and get services, it’s great, it’s huge," said Wahnapitae First Nation Chief Larry Roque.
Officials at the clinic say patients will be able to choose between western and traditional medicine.
Robin Cheslock is the health director at the Norman Recollet Health Centre.
"The nurse practitioner is open to offering traditional medicines, if that’s what the patient wants. We actually offer that on a regular basis through the health centre," said Cheslock.
"That’s one big thing with our community, is cultural healing, that’s a huge issue and we want to continue that, not just here, but we’d like to carry that into the local hospitals," said Roque.
Wahnapitae First Nation had to take the initiative to bring in a nurse practitioner after getting turned down by the province.
"Those people have huge barriers to access. They deserve to have a nurse practitioner on their territory," said Nickel Belt MPP France Gelinas (NDP).
In the New Year, officials say they plan on having a mobile set up to reach band members in Killarney, Blind River, and Sudbury.
It’ll include the nurse practitioner, a mental health worker, and an advanced foot care nurse.
