Ready for Possibilities: local nonprofit championing for a Community Health Centre for Lake Country

Corinne Remple, executive director for Lake Country Health Planning Society, a not-for-profit charity says her organization is "ready for the possibilities" of a Community Health Centre (CHC) for Lake Country, which she believes will streamline care, improve access to health care services and breakdown barriers of inequity and accessibility for residents.

"Referrals, support, and advocacy are the essential cornerstones of our work at the current Health Resource Centre aka Health Hub - located on Main Street. The expectation of the current provincial model relies on Lake Country residents to go into Kelowna or Vernon for most health and social services. We help alleviate the confusion of where to go or who to turn to, by connecting and supporting residents before they navigate the system."

As advocates for improved and community-based health and social services, we seek to interrupt the current state of inequity," explains Remple. "LCHPS has been championing the need for a Community Health Centre for Lake Country since 2014."

"And yet, almost daily, we hear from residents who are frustrated with this expectation. A system that places transportation expectations on its users has created an unjust model. As advocates for improved and community-based health and social services, we seek to interrupt the current state of inequity," explains Remple. "And we have been. The LCHPS board has been championing the need for a Community Health Centre for Lake Country since 2014."

CHC's... Not a New Concept.

Across Canada, CHCs have different missions, work with various clients and communities, and provide different and integrated services, but they have one thing in common - a commitment to health equity. CHCs are well-positioned to be advocates for greater health equity due to their unique model of care.  CHCs have inter-professional staff that often include nurses, nurse practitioners, physicians, social workers, health promoters, community health workers and a wide range of programs and services based on local needs.

In 2016, the BC Association of Community Health Centres asked for a commitment from the BC NDP during the 2017 provincial election to expand CHCs. And they received one from the BC NDP to establish twenty new CHCs by 2020. 

Over past six years, residents and stakeholders have provided input around opportunities and barriers regarding health services in LC. One key outcome? Being nestled between two larger cities has created obstacles for residents.

To move this project forward, CHC committee members are being sought. For more information or to find out how you can get involved in the process, please give the Lake Country Resource Centre a call at 778 215 5247.