Post on 25-Jul-2015
transcript
La Fédération canadienne des coopératives de santé ChairHCCFC@gmail.com
www.healthcoopsCanada.coop
Health, Wellness & Social Service Co-ops in Canada
Why?
It’s not easy, so WHY do we do it?
Vanessa Hammond
The Canadian reality
• ~ 3 people per km2 UK ~ 175 people per km2
• 10 Provincial health systems, 3 Territorial.
• Under the Canada Health Act we cannot require membership in order to provide tax-based (CHA / NHS) services.
• English, French, 28 major immigrant languages and 9 active First Nation languages.
• Aging population, unequal access to services.
Why health, wellness and social services co-ops in Canada?
Every community has its own priorities – Ottawa and the provincial Ministries of Health do not know everything!
When we take ownership, we identify the real priorities, then focus on the needs of each community, on wellness, on
prevention of illness, on health education.
We work with the wider community.
Co-ops, when well and carefully established, are more sustainable and cost efficient than any other form of organization.
Democratic, values based, 7 International Co-op Principles (7ICPs) to keep us on track.
The World Health Organization defines the health care as:• Illness/accident prevention• Wellness and health promotion• Treatment and cure• Rehabilitation
Health, Wellness and Social Service Co-ops work in ALL of these areas. Most specialize in one or two areas.
Are all Canadian HWSS Co-ops identical?
NO!Huge land mass 10,000,000km²
Cities: Toronto, Montreal population similarto the Manchester Built Up area.
Skidegate, about 781. Some air access only.
Many languages. Different needs & capacity.
Our Sectors
Seniors Care
Wellness Education
Community Outreach
Culturally appropriate care
Employment Support
Health Centres & Hospitals
La Fédération canadiene des
coopératives de santé
Health, Wellness and Social Services co-ops constantly innovate to serve
members and communities from coast to coast to coast throughout
Canada.
Health, Wellness and Social Services co-ops
How to fail:• Power in too few hands• Do too much too quickly• Own facilities• Require membership for
tax-supported services (Canada Health Act/NHS)
How to succeed:• Listen to your
community• Focus on what
you CAN do• Share resources
with other co-ops• Innovate• Federate
General “How to fail” & “How to succeed” comments in the plenary
La Fédération canadienne des coopératives de
santé
ChairHCCFC@gmail.comwww.healthcoopsCanada.coop
Ask us! Call, email, write,
check out the website, facebook and twitter.
Vanessa Hammond