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Presented by:

Joe Gallagher, CEO

First Nations Health Authority

Northern and Remote RoundtableMay 25, 2015

www.fnha.ca

Leading a Framework and Action Plan for Cultural Safety and

Cultural Humility for First Nations in British Columbia

Presentation Overview:

New Health Partnership in BC

Reciprocal Accountability

Hardwire an approach into the Provincial Quality and Safety

Agenda

Leading Change through a clear commitment of Leadership

Declaration of Commitment

A Framework for Action

Operationalize commitments at all levels – provincial, regional, and

local

Cultural Safety and Cultural Humility

Heading

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Text

3October 2011

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First Nations Health Governance Structure

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Reciprocal Accountability

“A defining characteristic of our partnership is reciprocal

accountability. This means that we will work together at all

levels in a collaborative manner to achieve our shared

goals, living up to our individual and collective

commitments. It means that each Partner is accountable to

the others for its actions, and for the effective

implementation and operation of their responsibilities and

systems, recognizing that our work as Partners is

interdependent and interconnected. It means that we strive

not only to live up to one another’s expectations, but strive

to exceed them.” (Health Partnership Accord, 2012)

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“Hardwire” cultural

safety and cultural

humility into health

services in BC as part of

the Provincial Quality

and Safety Agenda

5 Regional Health Authorities

1 Provincial Health Authority

Ministry of Health

FNHA

Goal

www.fnha.ca

Transforming the System

A Declaration of Commitment to be endorsed by Senior Provincial Health System Leaders: Deputy Minister of Health

CEO’s 5 Provincial Regional Health Authorities

CEO Provincial Health Services Authority

CEO First Nations Health Authority

Representing a common message to BC First Nations and all health agencies and partners: A commitment to achieve cultural safety and Humility

in Health Services Delivery for First Nations in British Columbia

www.fnha.ca

Transforming the System

A Framework for Action at the system, organization and individual level

The need to operationalize this commitment at various levels: Provincial – with Regulatory bodies, Professional

Associations, Academic Institutions, Ministry and PHSA

Regional – Regional Health Authorities, First Nations Partnership Accord Tables

Sub-Regional and Local – First Nations, local service providers

Guided by evidence and wise practice

Building on existing relationships, structures and successes inside/outside the health system

Need to Measure Success

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Cultural Safety

The aim of cultural safety is to create an environment free of racism and discrimination where people feel safe

receiving health care.

Cultural safety: Recognizes and strives to address power imbalances inherent in the health

care system. Involves self-reflection on culture and power inequities within the health

care system. Has the potential to improve client experiences and lead to better care

Cultural safety goes beyond: Cultural awareness, which refers to awareness of differences between

cultures Cultural sensitivity, which is about realizing the legitimacy of difference and

the power one’s own life experience can have on others

Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada & Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada, 2009; National Aboriginal Health Organization, 2009

www.fnha.ca

Cultural Humility

A life-long process of self-reflection and self-critique to understand personal biases and to develop and

maintain mutually respectful partnerships based on mutual trust.

Involves humbly acknowledging oneself as a learner when it comes to understanding another person’s experience.

Involves engaging in a two-way conversation about health and wellness where both patients and providers work together as partners in care.

Acknowledges providers have as much to learn from First Nations patients as patients have to learn from providers.

Cultural

humility

enables

cultural

safety.

www.fnha.ca

Looking Ahead

Initial focus on system change through

commitments to BC First Nations .

Developing cultural humility within the system

will improve cultural safety for all British

Columbians.

The BC experience can be used by other

jurisdictions as a model for embedding

cultural safety/humility in health services for

all Canadians.

www.fnha.ca

Thank You!