The Government of the Northwest Territories has announced the Primary and Community Health Care Framework, outlining a path to improve primary and community health across the territory.
The GNWT says that while the health and social services system have made progress in recent years to be more accessible and strengthen continuity of care, many residents still have problems accessing care that is close to home and culturally appropriate.
“Residents have been clear about the challenges they face accessing primary and community health care,” said Minister Lesa Semmler.
The framework sets out long-term directives for improving health care services to be more connected, relationship-based, and culturally safe.
The framework focuses around three guiding principles; centering Indigenous culture, building interconnected care models, and letting the system learn and evolve based on lived experience.
It doesn’t set out any specific actions or timelines, instead acting as a guide for future planning and policy development, along with the input of Indigenous governments and other involved parties.
“This Framework will serve as a roadmap for us and our partners to achieve our vision of healthy people and communities across the territory,” said Semmler.
