health, productivity, diversity
Nursing in Rural Communities on the British Columbia Coast
There are great challenges in providing health services to rural communities on the central coast of British Columbia:
- Geographical isolation. There is often no road access; access is by float plane, helicopter or small boat (water taxi).
- Isolation is compounded by bad weather, particularly during winter, when communities can be completely cut off for weeks.
- Many isolated communities are very small--often fewer than 100 people. They lack the critical mass that would help build local expertise.
The goals of project are:
- Provide direct support to coastal communities that are trying to improve health and wellness. We are working initially with the Wuikinuxv First Nation at Rivers Inlet and the Tsawataineuk First Nation at Kingcome Inlet.
- In the short term, ensure that communities are receiving services, by sponsoring nurses to work on site for 1-2 weeks per month.
- Coordinate closely with agencies that share responsibility for providing medical services: Health Canada, Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, Vancouver Island Health Authority, etc.
- Encourage and nurture expertise in primary health care within the communities. Via local nurses, support existing resources such as Community Health Respresentives and trained first responders.
- Draw on the expertise of the nursing program at North Island College in Courtenay, British Columbia.
The project was launched January 1, 2009.
Planning session in the Big House at Wuikinuxv Village, Rivers Inlet
Teachers from North Island College and nursing students at Kingcome Inlet