Category Working Groups and Committees Show all
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Working groups provide valuable input
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Northern Health is committed to receiving valuable input into design aspects of the new hospital through a mix of engagement initiatives, user consultations, committees and working groups. Engagement is a major part of Northern Health capital projects, and there will be many opportunities for input from the community as this project progresses.
The Dawson Creek and District Hospital (DCDH) Replacement Project has been supported by a Capital Advisory Committee (CAC) since October 2020. The CAC has representation from the local community, stakeholders and Indigenous representatives, and has provided guidance in relation to the project.
We have recently formed two additional sub-working groups to serve under the CAC and provide feedback and input into the design of the new hospital. The two new working groups are the Community Advisory Working Group (CAWG) and the Indigenous Advisory Working Group (IAWG). The purpose of these groups is to have a forum for members to provide input into design aspects of the project to ensure the new facility is locally and culturally safe, welcoming, respectful and relevant. The working groups inform the project to help ensure the facility reflects and supports the communities served by the Dawson Creek & District Hospital. Input and feedback gathered from all of these committees and groups is extremely valuable and we are tremendously grateful for the participation of the members.
Read the April 2023 Project Update to view the current CAWG and IAWG membership lists.
Feedback and input gathered from the working groups is filtered upwards. It first goes to the CAC, then it goes to the Project Steering Committee who, in collaboration with the Project Board, balances the complexities of a capital building project.
In addition to the CAC, IAWG, and CAWG, the project team works closely with small groups of “users” who represent their areas of expertise to gather feedback and input from a clinical point of view. The users work with the Design-Builder during User Consultation Meetings (UCM) and Special Topic Meetings (STM) to help them better understand over-arching concepts, ensure that all departments are situations correctly for the best clinical care and efficiencies and advise on standard operational best practices. Feedback and input gathered from the users is taken back to the Design-Builder for consideration and incorporation.
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Join the DCDH Indigenous Working Group
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APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED.
Apply for the Indigenous Working Group here: Member, Indigenous Working Group, Dawson Creek Hospital Replacement Project - Patient Voices Network (patientvoicesbc.ca)
The deadline to apply is January 20, 2023.
We're building a new, state-of-the-art hospital in Dawson Creek and are looking for two patient partners and/or community representatives to join the Indigenous Working Group. If you would like to provide input into the design of the new hospital, this could be the opportunity for you!
The purpose of this working group is for community members and patient partners to provide feedback and share their input into the hospital design to ensure that the new facility in Dawson Creek is culturally safe, respectful, welcoming, and relevant.
We respect, value and seek an opportunity to engage with Indigenous patient partners in the spirit of reciprocity. It is with humbleness and humility that we recognize and value the importance of understanding how the hospital replacement project can meet the needs of Indigenous patients and their families.
This opportunity is at the level of involve on the spectrum of engagement. The promise to you is that the health care partner will involve patients in planning and design phases to ensure ideas or concerns are considered and reflected in alternatives and recommendations.
Eligibility
Open to Indigenous patient partners and community members from Dawson Creek, Chetwynd and/or Tumbler Ridge and surrounding areas who:
- Have experience of accessing health care services at Dawson Creek and District Hospital (DCDH) within the last 12 months
- Previous working group experience is an asset but not required
- Are comfortable sharing experiences in a group environment
- Are comfortable attending online meetings via Zoom or MS Teams
As connection and relationship building is important to Northern Health, informal meet & greets will form part of the selection process for short listed patient partners/community members.
Logistics
- Number of vacancies: 2-3
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Date and Time:
- The first meeting of the Indigenous Working Group is scheduled for February 2023 – exact date TBD.
- Meetings will occur on a quarterly basis (every 3 months) and will last for approximately 1 hour.
- We anticipate having meetings in February, May, August, and November.
- There may be times when an ad hoc meeting is required based on needs and short deadlines from the project team
- Location: Online meetings via Zoom or MS Teams, with the possibility of in-person meetings
- Commitment: 12 months with the possibility of an extension
Reimbursement
No out of pocket expenses are anticipated for this engagement opportunity. However, if you meet the eligibility criteria, but have concerns about your ability to participate, please contact Cassy Mitchell cmitchell@bcpsqc.ca to see if support options are available. We are always seeking to better understand and reduce barriers to participation.If travel is required to attend any in-person meetings, then travel related costs such as mileage will be reimbursed as per Northern Health’s travel reimbursement policy.
Background
Approximately 15-20 representatives from local organizations and groups will be part of this working group. This includes the Treaty 8 First Nations, Nawican Friendship Centre, Aboriginal Family Services, Northern Health Indigenous Health, Northeast Metis Association, Moccasin Flats Metis Association North Wind Wellness Centre and more.The Indigenous Working Group will work in conjunction with the DCDH Community Working Group, which is also in the process of being formed.
Sub-groups with members from both of these groups may be formed to focus on specific topics such as artwork, language, wayfinding, etc.
Our aim is for the group to have a wide range of representatives who have different experiences and access health care in unique ways.
The Terms of Reference for the Indigenous Working Group will be posted on the DCDH Replacement Let’s Talk website when they are finalized.
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Join the DCDH Community Working Group
Share Join the DCDH Community Working Group on Facebook Share Join the DCDH Community Working Group on Twitter Share Join the DCDH Community Working Group on Linkedin Email Join the DCDH Community Working Group link
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED.
Apply for the Community Working Group here: Member, Community Working Group, Dawson Creek Hospital Replacement Project - Patient Voices Network (patientvoicesbc.ca)
The deadline to apply is January 20, 2023.
We're building a new, state-of-the-art hospital in Dawson Creek and are looking for two patient partners and/or community representatives to join the Community Working Group. If you would like to provide input into the design of the new hospital, this could be the opportunity for you!
The purpose of this working group is for community members and stakeholders – including patients – to provide feedback and share their input into the hospital design to ensure that the new facility in Dawson Creek is welcoming, relevant and respectful.
This opportunity is at the level of involve on the spectrum of engagement. The promise to you is that the health care partner will involve patients in planning and design phases to ensure ideas or concerns are considered and reflected in alternatives and recommendations.
Eligibility
Open to patient partners and community members from Dawson Creek, Chetwynd and/or Tumbler Ridge who:
- Have experience of accessing health care services at Dawson Creek and District Hospital (DCDH) within the last 12 months
- Previous working group experience is an asset but not required
- Are comfortable sharing experiences in a group environment
- Are comfortable attending online meetings via Zoom or MS Teams
Connection and relationship building is important to us so informal meet & greets will be part of the selection process for short listed patient partners/community members.
Logistics
- Number of vacancies: 2-3
-
Date and Time:
- The first meeting of the Community Working Group is scheduled for February 2023 – exact date TBD.
- Meetings will occur on a quarterly basis (every 3 months) and will last for approximately 1 hour.
- We anticipate having meetings in February, May, August, and November.
- There may be times when an ad hoc meeting is required based on needs and short deadlines from the project team
- Location: Online meetings via Zoom or MS Teams, with the possibility of in-person meetings
- Commitment: 12 months with the possibility of an extension
Reimbursement
No out of pocket expenses are anticipated for this engagement opportunity. However, if you meet the eligibility criteria, but have concerns about your ability to participate, please contact Cassy Mitchell cmitchell@bcpsqc.ca to see if support options are available. We are always seeking to better understand and reduce barriers to participation.If travel is required to attend any in-person meetings then travel related costs such as mileage will be reimbursed as per Northern Health’s travel reimbursement policy.
Background
Approximately 15-20 representatives from local organizations and groups will be part of this working group.This DCDH Community Working Group will work in conjunction with the DCDH Indigenous Working Group, which is also in the process of being formed.
Sub-groups with members from both of these groups may be formed to focus on specific topics such as artwork, language, wayfinding, etc.
Our aim is for the group to have a wide range of representatives who have different experiences and access health care in unique ways.
The Terms of Reference for the Community Working Group will be posted on the DCDH Replacement Let’s Talk website when they are finalized.
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Embedding Indigenous cultural elements into the new Dawson Creek & District Hospital
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In recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we acknowledge the history and legacy of the residential school system, honour the survivors, and remember the children who did not return home. We are committed to acknowledging the long-lasting effects of this history and educating ourselves about the impact it has had on Indigenous peoples, families, and communities.
Northern Health and the Dawson Creek and District Hospital Replacement Project Team are committed to developing and implementing an engagement and communication strategy that is founded on recognition, respect, co-operation, and partnership with local Indigenous communities and partners.
The Dawson Creek and District Hospital (DCDH) serves the communities of the Peace Region, the Treaty 8 First Nations and Kelly Lake Cree Nation. We are grateful to live and work in Treaty 8 territory, on the traditional lands of those Nations represented in the Treaty 8 Tribal Association, the ancestral home of the Sicannie (Sikanni), Slavey, Beaver (Dane-Zaa), Cree, and Saulteau. We also acknowledge Métis Nation BC Citizens and Chartered Communities across the North.
The new state-of-the-art Dawson Creek and District Hospital will be designed to improve the care and healing environment for patients, promote culturally safe care and will be built with feedback gathered from local Indigenous communities, as well as stakeholders in Dawson Creek and surrounding communities.
In the early stages of the project, we formed a Capital Advisory Committee (CAC) in order to gather advice and recommendations on local and cultural considerations, patient experiences, First Nations engagement, culturally appropriate design input, and related topics. The CAC has representation from Saulteau First Nations, West Moberly First Nations, Kelly Lake Cree Nation, the First Nations Health Authority, and Indigenous Health.
Over the coming months we will engage with local Indigenous communities, organizations, and groups for recommendations and advice pertaining to Indigenous cultural values and practices as they relate to capital projects. We will be forming an Indigenous Advisory Working Group (IAWG) which is envisioned to offer a safe space for Indigenous people’s input into design aspects of the project. The purpose of the IAWG is to ensure the new facility is culturally safe, welcoming, respectful and relevant. We will be seeking representation for the IAWG from the Treaty 8 Tribal Association, Saulteau First Nations, West Moberly First Nations, Doig River First Nation, Halfway River First Nation, Prophet River First Nation, Blueberry River First Nation, Fort Nelson First Nation, Kelly Lake Cree Nation, North East Métis Association, Moccasin Flats Métis Society and more.
Before any construction work begins on the land of the new hospital, we will work with local Indigenous communities to honour and recognize the relationship between the traditional territory of the Treaty 8 First Nations and the Dawson Creek and District Hospital Replacement Project.
As the design of the new hospital progresses, we are working closely with the preferred proponent, Clark Builders-Turner-HDR-Architecture (the Design-Builder), to ensure that the new facility is welcoming, inviting, and supportive of the spiritual health of all people and that Indigenous cultural elements are demonstrated throughout the facility. This includes:
- Incorporating features that reflect and represent local Indigenous communities
- Visual representation of Indigenous culture such as artwork, colour schemes, artefacts, landscaping and plants used for traditional healing
- A non-denominational spiritual room to accommodate and support cultural ceremonies, extended family, and multi-generational involvement in care
- Incorporating local Indigenous language, in addition to English, on select exterior and interior wayfinding signage
Note: The graphic used for this story was specially designed by Gitxsan artist Cori Johnson for Northern Health to recognize National Truth and Reconciliation/Orange shirt day. Read more about the graphic and the artist.
