Health Partnership Accord Reaffirms Commitment to Action on Improved Health Outcomes for BC First Nations

BACKGROUNDER
December 17, 2012

News Release: Moving Forward Together in Wellness

The Tripartite Health Partnership Accord between the First Nations Health Council, Health Canada and the Province of BC is an evergreen document that affirms the long-term commitment of the three parties to work together to achieve a higher quality, more integrated, culturally appropriate, and effective health system for BC First Nations. The Accord contains a shared vision of healthy BC First Nations individuals, families and communities with access to the best health services available that are responsive, innovative, community-driven, and nation-based.

The creation of this Accord was outlined in the BC Tripartite Agreement on First Nations Health  Governance (Framework Agreement) signed in October of 2011. Among other things, the Framework Agreement also included a commitment to create a new First Nations health governance structure including a First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) and the transfer of responsibility for program management and service delivery from Health Canada (First Nations Inuit Health BC Region) into the hands of the FNHA, which will administer health services to BC First Nations communities with their guidance.

The Framework Agreement and this Accord, along with a number of other important documents and health plans, signify a new era for BC First Nations health governance and a renewed commitment to continue to move forward on the historic work of all partners in elevating health outcomes for BC First Nations. Although not a legal document like the Framework Agreement, the Health Partnership Accord reiterates that the Parties will maintain a strong partnership focussed on improving health outcomes for First Nations in BC.

The Accord builds upon the already established positive working relationship and seeks to find new and effective ways of coming together to achieve our common goals of working together to eliminate disparities and inequalities in the health status between First Nations in BC and other residents. All partners have agreed to overcome challenges in a good way through frank, honest, and respectful dialogue, using reciprocal accountability to guide the work at all levels.

This Accord builds on a number of important documents including: the Transformative Change Accord: First Nations Health Plan, First Nations Health Plan Memorandum of Understanding, Tripartite First Nations Health Plan, and the Tripartite Framework Agreement on First Nation Health Governance. The Accord expands on the already strong tripartite relationship and represents another step forward in the evolving, broad and enduring partnership with a commitment to reciprocal accountability. The historic transformation in BC First Nations health is being watched across the country and internationally as an innovative approach to creating a new wellness system that will better meet the needs of First Nations communities to elevate their level of health.

Background Documents:

•  The Tripartite First Nations Health Plan (2007)
•  The Consensus Paper: British Columbia First Nations Perspectives on a new Health Governance Arrangement (2011)
•  British Columbia Tripartite Framework Agreement on First Nation Health Governance (2011)
•  Consensus Paper 2012 - Navigating the Currents of Change: Transitioning to a New First Nations Health Governance Structure

Connect with us:

•  First Nations Health Council:  www.fnhc.ca
•  BC Ministry of Health: www.gov.bc.ca/connect
• Health Canada: www.hc.gc.ca

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Media Enquiries:
Ryan Jabs
Media Relations Manager
Ministry of Health, British Columbia
250-952-1887 (media line)

Health Canada
Cailin Rodgers
Office of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq
Federal Minister of Health
613-957-0200

Trevor Kehoe
Communications
First Nations Health Authority
604-831-4898 (mobile)
tkehoe@fnhc.ca