Health Services Integration Fund

Goals and Principles

Announced in 2010, the Health Services Integration Fund (HSIF) is a five-year initiative supporting collaborative planning and multi-year projects aimed at better meeting the health-care needs of First Nations and Inuit.

Through HSIF, Health Canada is working with other Provincial, Territorial and First Nations and Inuit organizations to:

• improve the integration of federally-funded health services in First Nations and Inuit communities with those funded by the provinces and territories;
• build multi-party partnerships to advance health service integration;
• improve First Nations and Inuit access to health services; and
• increase the participation of First Nations and Inuit in the design, delivery, and evaluation of health programs and services.

Governance

The Health Services Integration Fund (HSIF) is regionally implemented and nationally facilitated. The structures that oversee the implementation of the Health Services Integration Fund include:

Regional Advisory Committees

Multi-party advisory committees established in each province and territory have planned how to advance health services integration to better meet the needs of First Nations and Inuit. Every Regional Advisory Committee is comprised of representatives from First Nations, Inuit (where applicable), the province or territory's Ministry of Health (or other relevant Ministry that addresses health issues) and Health Canada's First Nations and Inuit Health regional staff. Regional Advisory Committees may also include representatives from more than one First Nation or Inuit organization, regional or district health organizations or other First Nations/Inuit organizations.

Each committee developed an integration plan that drew on lessons learned from the Aboriginal Health Transition Fund and elsewhere, and defined future priority areas in integrating health services within the province or territory. The committees also oversee and evaluate integration activities.

Health Canada

Regional HSIF Coordinators:

• represent Health Canada on provincial/territorial advisory committees, and support the work of the committees;
• oversee the management and implementation of the Health Services Integration Fund at the regional level.
• work with project coordinators to support the implementation of projects.

Health Canada supports the implementation of HSIF nationally and regionally through the HSIF Unit, and Regional HSIF Coordinators.

Among other responsibilities, the HSIF Unit:

• provides feedback and advice to Health Canada senior management on HSIF integration plans and HSIF project proposals; and
• leads policy development work on health services integration.

HSIF Projects

As of January 2013, more than 70 projects have been approved. Funded projects vary in focus, with partners working together to integrate health services in a range of areas such as chronic disease, integrated governance/tripartite planning, maternal/child/youth health, mental health and addictions, primary/continuing care, public health and system logistics (i.e., data management, health human resources).

For more information, please forward inquiries to:
HSIF-FISS@hc-sc.gc.ca