Years of work leads to health authority launch

The last federal “Indian” hospital in Canada has been closed.
As part of the launch of the Weeneebayko Area Health Authority (WAHA) Oct. 1, the federal Weeneebayko General Hospital in Moose Factory was integrated with the provincial James Bay General Hospital in Moosonee.
WAHA falls under provincial jurisdiction, explained Lawrence Martin, director of communications and community relations for WAHA.
“After many years of working to improve the health of our people, we have achieved the next important step and WAHA is now a reality,” said WAHA chairman Leo Loone.
The framework for Weeneebayko was signed in 2007 following more than a decade of work, Martin explained.
The creation of WAHA paves the way for the integration of hospital services. Under WAHA, patients and users can expect more efficient and culturally appropriate health care services, Martin said.
“Everything was integrated (Oct. 1) but there’s still a lot of work to do,” Martin said. “For example, we’re still looking at how to amalgamate the (information technology) department ... between the two sites.
“Also, we’re getting everything organized when dealing with five different unions. They all received their first WAHA payments this week.”
Martin said the integration will allow for better co-ordination of federal and provincial programs and services, as well as better access to community health services and programs to address local health issues such as diabetes, mental health, and suicide prevention.
WAHA brings about a large political change, Martin explained.
It is the only health authority responsible for all health and medical issues in its catchment area in the province, he said. That makes it responsible not just for hospital services, but also long-term care, community care and other services required to improve the health of area families.
Federal Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq called the agreement historic.
“By integrating federal and provincial hospital services and programs under a First Nation controlled organization, local residents will see real and positive change in health care delivery, focused on community needs,” Aglukkaq said.
Martin explained WAHA will be governed by a community-based regional board.
WAHA will also enter into a service accountability agreement with the North East Local Health Integration Network (LHIN), which is responsible for planning, funding and integrating health care services in an area spanning Parry Sound southwardly to White River in the West and Attwapiskat to the North.
Peter Vaudry, North East LHIN chairman said it is clear a lot of work went into the agreement.
“Today’s historic event is a result of a respectful and thoughtful approach of many people,” Vaudry said. “It represents a collective and genuine response to better meet the health care needs of people living along the Hudson and James Bay coasts.”
Under WAHA, some health care issues will be easier to deal with, Martin said.
“It was hard with two different policies in place,” Martin said. “Ambulances were a provincial (policy) and we were federal. Now, we’re all provincial.
“In the next few months, management will review, plan and implement more changes and improvements,” Martin said.
Discussions have already taken placed about building a new small hospital in Kashechewan, but those are future goals, he said.