Health and Community Services
August 19, 2016
Supporting Health and Well-Being
Collaborative Solution Maintains Health Care Supports for Black Tickle
The Provincial Government together in partnership with the NunatuKavut Community Council, Labrador-Grenfell Health, the local service district and residents has reached consensus on a new model of care that will provide for the sustainable delivery of health care services in Black Tickle.
"As we came together to discuss alternatives for the community, the community itself demonstrated its commitment by putting forward options of its own. Our government remains open to continued collaboration when it comes to maintaining health care services throughout the province. In this case, I am happy to report that having and maintaining that dialogue has resulted in a positive outcome for the people of Black Tickle."
- The Honourable John Haggie, Minister of Health and Community Services
A suite of services will be introduced in Black Tickle as part of the community's new model of primary health care. These services will include the implementation of a centralized nurse triage system, a community volunteer First Responder Program and a Remote Patient Monitoring Program which will use technology for the management of chronic disease.
"On behalf of the NunatuKavut Community Council, I thank Premier Ball, Minister Haggie, MHA Dempster and Labrador-Grenfell Health for being open and responsive to understanding the critical health care needs of the residents of Black Tickle. Their decision to keep a full-time nurse stationed in the community is the right decision. We have stood with the local service district of Black Tickle and its people and engaged in a respectful dialogue with health care providers and are pleased with this positive outcome. We commend the people of Black Tickle for the integrity they have shown and how they have fought for their rights throughout this process. We also applaud our own staff for their unwavering commitment to the health and well-being of one of our most important Indigenous communities."
- Todd Russell, President of the NunatuKavut Community Council
Nursing services will be provided from Monday to Friday with regular clinic hours and the nurse will remain in the community each night and on weekends. After-hours calls will go to a centralized triage nurse. The nurse in Black Tickle will remain on stand-by and will be available for callback if deemed necessary by the triage nurse. Regular visits to the community by physicians and community health nurses will also continue to take place.
"As the MHA for a remote district, I know firsthand some of the challenges in delivering essential services to isolated communities. I have been advocating for the residents of Black Tickle since the beginning, and I am just thrilled that we are able to offer them this good news today. I am confident that it will come as a big relief for all. I am very grateful that my colleagues in the Department of Health and Community Services saw the necessity of maintaining medical services to this remote island community."
- Lisa Dempster, MHA for Cartwright - L'Anse au Clair
Officials with the Department of Health and Community Services, Labrador-Grenfell Health and the Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs Office will continue to work closely with the community and stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition into the new model of care.
QUICK FACTS
- The Provincial Government together in partnership with the NunatuKavut Community Council, Labrador-Grenfell Health, the local service district and residents have reached consensus on a new model of care for the sustainable delivery of health care services in Black Tickle.
- A suite of services will be introduced in Black Tickle as part of the community's new model of primary health care including the implementation of a centralized nurse triage system, a community volunteer First Responder Program and a Remote Patient Monitoring Program, which will use technology for the management of chronic disease.
- Nursing services will be provided from Monday to Friday with regular clinic hours and the nurse will remain in the community each night and on weekends. After-hours calls will go to a centralized triage nurse.
- Regular visits to the community by physicians and community health nurses will also continue to take place.
- Officials with the Department of Health and Community Services, Labrador-Grenfell Health and the Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs Office will continue to work closely with the community and stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition into the new model of care.
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Media contacts:
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Tina Williams
Director of Communications Department of Health and Community Services 709-729-1377, 728-2837 tinawilliams@gov.nl.ca |
Kelly Nippard
Director of Communications NunatuKavut Community Council 709-280-5965 communications@nunatukavut.ca |
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Nathan Downey
Communications Assistant Government Members Office 709-729-3226 NathanDowney@gov.nl.ca |
2016 08 19 10:55 a.m.