New Primary Care Services in Eastern Fraser-Salish at Stó:Lō Nation Thanks to Local Partnerships, First Nations Health Authority, BC Ministry Of Health and Fraser Health

June 19, 2015

Stó:lō Nation Territory – Chilliwack, BC – Today, the Stó:lō Service Agency (SSA), First Nations Health Authority, BC Ministry of Health, Fraser Health, and Chilliwack Division of Family Practice officially celebrated the opening of the Stó:lō Nation Community Health Centre. The new centre will support improved access to health care services for Stó:lō Nation members, the community of Chilliwack and to the growing population across the eastern Fraser Valley by locating a range of services in one location.

The health centre will offer a multidisciplinary approach to health care with patients having access to a Fraser Health nurse practitioner and family physician through the primary care clinic. This project integrates an innovative funding model that moves from fee-for-service to ‘alternative payment’ which builds doctor and client relationships allowing for more one-on-one time, engaging in case management, addressing non-medical determinants of health and ultimately reducing emergency room admissions and acute care engagements. These services will be offered in the context of integrated primary care services that support the holistic care of patients in the community.

Stó:lō Health is integrating a patient-centred holistic model of care where the individual is the focal point of the health service experience and can receive mulitiple services from a team during a single visit. This model stresses individual engagement in health services and approaching health challenges with an emphasis on the person’s overall health, including their mental, physical, spiritual and emotional needs. It also reduces the amount of time a person waits for appointments, eliminates duplication and is an effective way to ensure medications, diet and treatment are complementary.

Through partnerships with community organizations like the Chilliwack Division of Family Practice, the health centre is also now home to a maternity clinic and one of two weekly Chilliwack Youth Health Centre clinics, serving youth and emerging adults ages 12-26 years. Project partners are focused on working collaboratively with each other, other health professionals and service providers to meet the primary health care needs of First Nations people in their home territory. As such this project builds on all of the partners’ commitment to providing innovative quality care supporting improved health outcomes for the communities they serve.

The primary health clinic emphasizes availability to Stó:lō Nation members and other First Nations residents in the Chilliwack area but is also open to the general public. The range of programs and services available in the community health centre will continue to expand in the coming years in order to further support the health and well-being of Chilliwack and eastern Fraser Valley residents. Programs and services are now fully operational for patients and clients.

Partner Quotes:

“We are excited about providing a full range of medical services at Stó:lō Nation. It is important to our community members, but also to anyone living in this part of Chilliwack. The area doesn’t have some of the health clinics and services that are available elsewhere and, thanks to the collaborative relationship between ourselves, the First Nations Health Authority, Fraser Health and the Chilliwack Division of Family Practice, we have been able to begin addressing these issues,” Stó:lō Health Manager Kelowa Edel

“Today’s grand opening demonstrates the success of the historic Tripartite Agreement between First Nations, the BC Government, and the federal government to deliver better health care services for First Nations and for all British Columbians. Through collaboration and partnership, the new Stó:lō Nation Community Health Centre will advance our key priority of building a responsive, patient-centered health care system that serves the needs of our vibrant, diverse communities,” Health Minister Terry Lake

“We are pleased to work closely with each partner on this project to support innovation of integrated and accessible primary and community care for First Nations people, both home and away from home, in the eastern Fraser-Salish. Projects like this create the space for First Nations to design and deliver their own shared services and facilities for their people locally. We look forward to what the future holds for Stó:lō Nation Health Services and the communities they serve in this important work,” Richard Jock, Chief Operating Officer with the First Nations Health Authority

“Fraser Health is committed to supporting the health outcomes of the Aboriginal people living in our communities and reserves. This grant will help us continue this important work by improving access to culturally-appropriate services, and strengthening our partnerships with Aboriginal communities,” Petra Pardy, Executive Director, Chilliwack, Hope and Agassiz Health Services; and Chilliwack General and Fraser Canyon Hospitals

“The Chilliwack Division of Family Practice is excited by this opportunity to create a lasting partnership with Stó:lō Service Agency. To date we have a drop in Youth Health Centre on Tuesday afternoons, monthly prenatal care and now family doctors partnering with the nurse practitioner to offer comprehensive care for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal patients. What an asset to our community!” Dr. Melanie Madill, Physician Lead, Chilliwack Youth Health Centre; Deputy Lead, Chilliwack Division of Family Practice

“We’ve seen great progress with our partnerships to improve access to primary care, and today’s announcement is another step in the right direction of providing patient-centred culturally safe and responsive care to First Nations and Aboriginal peoples,” John Martin, MLA for Chilliwack

“We are committed to removing and reducing barriers to care to ensure that First Nations and Aboriginal peoples feel connected and safe with the services they receive. That’s why I’m proud of the steps Fraser Health and their partners have taken to build stronger, wrap-around relationships between First Nations and care providers,” Laurie Throness, MLA for Chilliwack-Hope

Media Inquiries:

Stó:lō Health
Michael Suefeld
778-871-2092
michael.suedfeld@stolonation.bc.ca

First Nations Health Authority
Trevor Kehoe
604-831-4898
trevor.kehoe@fnha.ca

BC Ministry of Health
Communications
250 952-1887 (media line)

Fraser Health
Media Pager: 604-450-7881
media@fraserhealth.ca

Chilliwack Division of Family Practice
Katrina Bepple
604-845-5573
kbepple@divisionsbc.ca