Primary Community Care
An exciting initiative is in the works in Yellowknife! With Primary Health Care Transition Funding, a clinic is being designed which will modify the current medical/treatment oriented model of care, to a model that reflects the principles of Primary Health Care; accessibility, multidisciplinary teams, client involvement, with a prevention/promotion focus. Planning of the clinic has involved sectors of YHSSA, community groups and organizations, through an Advisory Committee.
The multidisciplinary, community based clinic will target at risk clients. A team of care providers will include but won’t be limited to: a nurse practitioner, mental health/social worker, public health nurse, physicians, LPNs and support staff to provide a comprehensive, client based, collaborative practice. Other providers that will be brought into the team include addictions workers and a dietitian. This “one stop shopping” means that our target population will have improved access to a range of health and social services at one site. Integral to this model will be the addition of outreach locations where programs will be offered in conjunction with community groups.
The impetus for this clinic came about in 2003 as YHSSA was under increasing pressure to expand the programs offered to our underserved population. Numerous national studies indicate that these groups are more likely to have a poor health status. Often these clients do not trust the traditional health care system, and therefore do not access available services. It is often confusing for clients to know whom or where to call for help. In addition, community organizations have shown a desire to collaborate with other care providers to enhance their services to the same clients.
A client survey developed by the Advisory Committee has been completed and recommendations have been made by our target group on the type of services that they would like to have offered through a downtown clinic. These recommendations helped shape the vision and direction of the clinic.
As there has been no additional funding provided for human resources, we are looking at changing the way we provide care by moving positions and creating teams of care providers in new ways.
The project is now in the renovation stage. Changes are being made to an existing downtown clinic to accommodate additional care providers and services. When renovations are completed we will begin to phase in the positions that are making the move to the clinic. Care providers have been involved in all aspects of planning which is crucial to the success of a project such as this.
We are excited about the opportunity that this funding has provided, the doors that have been opened and the relationships that have developed in the community as a result. The future looks very bright for Primary Health Care in Yellowknife!
For more information contact:
Jill Christensen
YHSSA, PHC Project Coordinator at 920-6504
