The Erie St. Clair Local Health Integration Network has approved a new Indigenous Health Strategic Plan, hoping for better collaboration between healthcare providers and the Indigenous community.
The strategy looks to reduce health inequities for Indigenous people, as well as improve access and response of healthcare teams for the communities in the region.
"[We're] getting all healthcare partners to understand, appreciate and respond to those needs of the communities, doing it in a way that's respectful and responsive," says the LHIN's Tanya Baniak.
The plan includes a number of specific efforts, many of which are geared to building first relationships between the two entities. LHIN officials are looking to give healthcare providers cultural and anti-oppression training sessions, and Baniak says they'll also be building up primary care models in indigenous communities.
"We have some communities that have very specific primary care supports, and models they want to advance," says Baniak. "The LHIN is supporting those plans, and helping them implement those plans, but matching it to their culture."
The plan will now be implemented over the next three years.
