Some participants in the McMaster Health Forum stakeholder dialogue on strengthening primary healthcare in Canada, held in partnership with the Health Council of Canada, agreed to answer a few questions afterwards. The interviews were captured on video and posted on YouTube.
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In 2002, primary health care faced a crisis in Peterborough. One in four residents didn’t have a family doctor, the local hospital’s emergency room was one of the busiest in the province and the growing seniors population was creating a new set of demands on the health care system. Dr. Don Harterre and a small group of colleagues decided a team-based model could be the answer. Over the next few years, they worked hard to bring everyone onside. The idea met the challenge. Today, over 97% of Peterborough’s residents have five teams serving their health care needs. ER visits have significantly dropped and the area is attracting new, young family practitioners to join the teams.
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In Saint John, the team story highlights an even broader community collaboration. The Old North End (O.N.E.) used to be the city’s commercial core, but economic decline starting in the 60s turned the area into one of Canada’s poorest communities. Drugs, crime, substandard housing and unemployement were breaking community spirit and taking a toll on health.
So, residents decided to take action. They created O.N.E. CHANGE, a group of grass roots stakeholders and residents including the St. Joseph’s Community Health Centre. For health, the big socioeconomic picture has a direct connection. “People who are poorly housed, poorly nourished and poorly educated get sick and stay sick,” says registered nurse, Sgt. Tanya Leblanc of the Saint John police. Now, at O.N.E. CHANGE, interdisciplinary health is a team within a bigger team trying to tackle a range of community issues. Residents believe they’re on the right track. O.N.E. CHANGE vice-president Tammy Calvin says, “If we plan together and work together, who says we can’t change our future?”
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