Minister Bennett
May 2004
Overview
- 15 participants came together in Whitehorse to present individual
and organizational views on public health and the role of a Canadian
Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC). All participants appreciated
the opportunity to provide input. A few expressed their cynicism with
respect to success of federal government initiatives.
- The Yukon Territorial Government representatives attended the Roundtable
as observers and did not take a participatory approach.
- The participants expressed the importance of involvement of all
Yukoners and suggested that any approach to a Public Health Agency
of Canada should take into account the effectiveness of a community-based
approach that reflects community specific capacity and is culturally
relevant.
1. Regarding a Mandate for a Public Health Agency of Canada:
Themes and Key Messages
- An important role for the Agency is the development and dissemination
of clear, concise, evidence-based information for both the health professional
and the community. Health professionals must be able to quickly access
appropriate protocols for both emergency situations and more routine
health events.
- Mechanisms to address distance and communications systems will be
an important part of the national strategy of the new Agency. Weather
and sub-optimal communication pathways are everyday obstacles to rapid
diagnosis and treatment in remote regions of the country.
- Agency development should build on existing capacity and centres
of expertise across the nation, to avoid duplication of effort and
resources and to build the existing capacity of each region.
- Clearly defined accountability will be critical.
- Supportive services for First Nations, such as the First Nation
Health Programs, at the WGH are important – should include traditional
medicines.
- The Agency is to focus resources on strengthening the capacity of
rural and remote residents, particularly aboriginal peoples, by training
community representatives to play an invaluable role in providing continuity
to the public health system in these areas in Canada.
- A role for the PHAC is to set benchmark standards for health care
and regulated mechanisms required to achieve parity for these across
all ethnic and geographic boundaries in Canada.
2. Public Health Issues:
- Outcomes of health services delivered in French include, speed (rapidity)
of services, quality and success of intervention, and prevention and
satisfaction of patients. Improved bilingual communication on statistics,
surveillance and outcomes is needed.
- Some priorities include, the health of travellers, security of the
hospital medivac, number of health professionals, and access to health
care in isolated areas.
3. Capacity Issues:
- An outbreak that resulted in one critically ill patient in strict
isolation and a handful of health professionals in quarantine would
stretch our capacity to the limit. It is beyond our resources. Quarantines
would affect infrastructure. Emergence of disease could rapidly immobilize
an entire community and all of its services.
- Health Human resource planning must include provision for the rapid
movement of health professionals between provinces and territories
in time of need. Presently RN regulatory bodies are exploring mechanisms
for accelerated recognition of licensure in emergency situations.
- Critical need to develop capacity within our own First Nation members
to deliver health services and raise health awareness.
4. Chief Public Health Officer:
- Some participants expressed some skepticism in the ability to develop
a public health matrix and planned legislation. Also expressed was
concern regarding political interference with governments - federal,
territorial, etc., wanting a "finger in the pie".
- Public Health Officer should have autonomy.
5. Collaboration and Partnerships:
- Yukon is unique. Self-government must be recognized. There is a
lack of understanding about what First Nations are and what they do.
Government-to-Government relationships include First Nation Governments.
Strong aboriginal involvement in the planning and implementation of
the Agency, as well as in its later governance and staffing.
- Promote further partnering between our community school, college,
health station and Nation in enhanced health career projects aimed
at encouraging our members, particularly school students to pursue
careers in health services.
- Vision / Objectives must come from communities. Always see vision
and program mandate developed before it comes to the community. The
community must be engaged.