2019 Smoky Lake Community Conversation

Smoky Lake Community Conversation January 21, 2019 What We Heard Summary Alberta Health Services and the Lakeland Communities Health Advisory Council co-hosted the seventh of 12 Community Conversations on January 21 in Smoky Lake. Community Conversations are designed to give AHS and the communities we serve the opportunity to celebrate local successes as we approach our 10 year anniversary – and to discuss ways we can work together to improve healthcare for all Albertans. Activities included two working sessions where participants identified challenges and then worked together to explore existing or new partnerships that could help to address those challenges. Community members AHS Zone leaders included Greg Cummings participated 37 and Cindy Harmata. In addition, Director Tracy AHS representatives Smith and Cory Brunham from EMS attended. 8 participated Attendees represented a variety of Key activities organizations and groups in and around Smoky Lake. These included Lakeland • Shared healthcare successes in area Communities Health Advisory Council, • Identified top healthcare challenges Beaver Lake Cree Nation, Fishing Lake Métis Settlement, representatives from • Considered existing and new community the Town of Smoky Lake, Smoky Lake partnerships that could help address County, Village of Boyle, Lac La Biche challenges County, City of Cold Lake, Town of Elk Point, MD of Bonnyville, Village of Vilna, Participants are grateful for Thorhild County, MLA for Athabasca- Sturgeon-Redwater, MLA for Lac La • Physicians Biche-St. Paul-Two Hills, Lakeland Catholic School District, St. Paul • Ambulance care Education Regional Division, Lakeland • Emergency services School Division, Aspen View Public • Dialysis Schools, Rural Health Professions Action Plan (RhPAP), and Family and • Public services Community Support Services (FCSS). • Their health (continued next column) Comments Heard “Thank you for including Fishing Lake Metis Settlement in these discussions so we can all move forward for a healthy province. I enjoyed this meeting.” “This meeting was excellent.” What We Heard Summary – Smoky Lake Key themes • Attracting top medical professionals to the area • State of the economy • Lack of services in the area • Communication and information sharing Top healthcare challenges • Accessibility to health and social services (being so remote from larger cities) • Lack of preventative health services • Indigenous focused healthcare • Physician recruitment and retainment Sampling of suggested partnerships and ideas • Use organizations like RhPAP to attract and retain healthcare professionals (and community recruitment and retention committees) • Partner with FCSS (local supports for daycare/job finding/housing/food bank) • Improve partnerships with industry, school system and governments (federal, provincial, municipal) • More collaboration between ministries, and sharing of resources Evaluation of event Most who completed the evaluation survey rated the event as good or excellent, and agreed or strongly agreed that: • Their understanding of AHS’ focus on wellness, prevention and community care increased. • They had an opportunity to share thoughts and ideas in a productive way. • AHS would consider input from the event when making decisions. • Being at the meeting was a good use of their time. January 21, 2019: Smoky Lake Community Conversation 2 What We Heard Summary – Smoky Lake thi Words participants used to describe the greatest healthcare success in their community. “I enjoyed partnering with AHS on this event, and was really pleased with the cross section of participants and communities.” Pat Palechuk, Lakeland Communities Health Advisory Council Chair (Pat is pictured here, on the right, with North Zone leaders Cindy Harmata and Greg Cummings) Next steps • All outputs from the event will be shared with North Zone leadership for review. • An action list will be put forward, and AHS will reach out to community groups to share the information and ideas collected to build partnerships and support community-based wellness. • Information will be shared with the Health Plan and Business Plan team. January 21, 2019: Smoky Lake Community Conversation 3 What We Heard Summary – Smoky Lake Words participants used to describe the greatest contributor to wellness in their community. Participants gathered in Smoky Lake for a Community Conversation about health & wellness Handy links to learn more • Lakeland Communities Health Advisory Council (we are accepting applications to join the Council) • Together4Health - summary of Community Conversations hosted in other communities across Alberta – and opportunity to continue the conversation • Because you cared video – shown at the event January 21, 2019: Smoky Lake Community Conversation 4 .

Load more