Colleen Erickson, FNHA Board Chair and Andrew Wray, BCPSQC Executive Director, Learning, Analytics & Strategic Initiatives
The BC Patient Safety & Quality Council and the First Nations Health Authority and have signed a Declaration of Commitment to Cultural Safety and Humility for First Nations People in BC.
The BC Patient Safety & Quality Council provides system-wide leadership to ensure that each British Columbian receives high-quality, person-centred care. The First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) is a health and wellness partner to First Nations people in BC through population health and wellness initiatives and the delivery of services transferred from the federal government. The declaration signed by both organizations on Nov. 25 recognizes the leadership role of both organizations in championing cultural safety and humility in provincial health services.
L to R: Colleen Erickson, FNHA Board Chair, Richard Jock, Interim FNHA CEO, Andrew Wray, BCPSQC Executive Director, Learning, Analytics & Strategic Initiatives, Christina Krause, BCPSQC CEO
“The BC Patient Safety & Quality Council has long recognized that cultural safety and humility are an integral part of quality health care," said Richard Jock, the Interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the FNHA. “Today's signing formalizes the Council's continuing commitment to these principles and reflects concrete action towards implementation."
The Council has a long-standing commitment towards embedding cultural safety and humility at the heart of its policies, practices and work undertaken on a daily basis. The Declaration of Commitment to Cultural Safety and Humility formally recognizes these efforts and strengthens its dedication to advancing safe and respectful care for all.
L to R: Christina Krause, CEO BCPSQC, Colleen Kennedy, Executive Director, Health System Improvement & Engagement, Elder and Speaker – Alice Guss. Tsawaysia, Squamish Nation
“Creating a system that feels safe and inclusive is a priority for BC and requires the dedication of every person who works in our health care system. Each of us needs to consider our biases, listen without judgement and vow to be lifelong learners." said Christina Krause, CEO of the BC Patient Safety & Quality Council. “We've been proud to partner with the First Nations Health Authority during our journey, and we hope that formalizing our ongoing commitment will encourage others to make their own pledges towards cultural safety and humility."
Cultural humility is a life-long process of self-reflection to understand personal and systemic biases and to develop and maintain mutually respectful relationships with clients. Cultural safety is an outcome based on respectful engagement that recognizes and strives to address power imbalances inherent in the health care system.
Elder and Speaker – Alice Guss. Tsawaysia, Squamish Nation
The Council is the latest organization to sign a declaration on cultural safety and humility with the FNHA. Past signatories include:
2015 - BC Ministry of Health and each of BC's six health authorities
2017 - All regulators that govern health professionals working in BC
- Providence Health Care – the Catholic health organization- The BC Coroner's Service2018 - BC Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions
2019 - Indigenous Services Canada, Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada
- Pacific Blue Cross
- Federation of Optometric Regulatory Authorities of Canada
“These declarations address systemic racism and guide health system transformation by giving us a common vision, language and framework," said the FNHA's Board Chair Colleen Erickson.
