Over the past two years, the First Nations Health Authority’s Wholistic Integrated Continuum of Care (WICC) team from the office of the chief nursing office has been engaging with First Nations people and communities around the province about what wholistic care means to them. What we have heard is that wholistic care means bringing care closer to home. This was learned through engagement with 291 people reflecting upon 139 First Nations communities in BC.
Four themes emerged from the research: equity, investment, capacity and connection. These four themes are represented by a canoe journey as shown in the illustration above.
To read more about this work and the themes listed above, check out the new webpage Wholistic Integrated Continuum of Care. This new webpage will be where you'll find the latest information including the engagement reports from 2022, 2023, video of the Elders involved, team information and ongoing work. Check back for updates on our progress.
Validation of the four themes
Other issues raised during the validation of what was heard included concerns about Indigenous racism within the health care system, increased costs for rural and remote areas, staff retention related to salary inequities, and inadequate housing for health staff.
Questions which require further engagement:
Your insights and feedback guide us as we navigate promising next steps towards bringing care closer to home.
1. Ministry of Health, draft home care policy: How can we work together to ensure the provincial home care policy is meaningful for the community?
2. Family Caregiver Support: What do caregivers (family and friends) need for support emotionally, spiritually, financially, mentally, and physically? Your insights will shape caregiver-centric (client centered) strategies.
3. Transitions in Care: Your feedback on pathways is crucial for minimizing the time necessary to spend away from home to receive care. What would make a difference to reduce the time spent away?
4. Wholistic multi-use wellness centers: What would be the options to create multi-use housing in communities to meet a variety of health related needs? What services would be essential to create wraparound care for people of all ages?
Call to action
Your voice matters. Wondering how to get involved?
- Join our Indigenous Advisory monthly group register here to interceptum.
- Visit the WICC team at upcoming health forums.
- Contact us at WICC@FNHA.ca.
- Regularly visit our webpage.
