“Community Influences the Designof a Primary Health Care Centre

for Inner City Edmonton”

Canadian Public Health Association ConferenceJune 2008

Halifax, Nova Scotia

Presented by: Delmarie Sadoway, Senior Operating Officer

Capital Health, Edmonton, Alberta

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Demographics

• Population – 59,179

• Births / Year - 670

• Schools - 25

Students – 8,718

• Seniors – 7,309

• Aboriginal Population 15%

• Non-English speaking – 30%

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Eastwood Boundaries

E A ST W O O D

Trave lR O YA L A LE X AN D R A

127 Ave .

B irth C on tro l

111 Ave .97

St.

109

St.

50 S

t.

Existing Site

7919–118 Ave

New Location

11240 – 79 Street

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Eastwood Health Measures2000 Report

Maternal Child Health Teen Mothers

• 59.2/1,000 – Eastwood• 21.8/1,000 – Capital Health

Low Birth Weight Rate• 8.9/100 – Eastwood• 6.2/100 – Capital Health

Infant Death Rate• 7.9/1,000 – Eastwood• 6.0/1,000 – Capital Health

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Eastwood Health Measures

Immunization Rates – 2004 4 month olds

• Eastwood – 90%• Capital Health – 93%

15 month olds• Eastwood – 82%• Capital Health – 89%

24 month olds• Eastwood – 90%• Capital Health – 94%

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Current Eastwood Public Health Centre

Programs and Services to:

• New Moms and Babes – Home Visits, Parent Groups.

• Preschool Children – Clinics, Speech Therapy, Dental Program.

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Current Eastwood Public Health Centre

Programs and Services to:

• School Children – Immunizations, Learning Assessments, Speech Therapy, Dental Prevention

• Seniors – Flu Clinics, Home Visits, Health Clinics at Seniors Centres

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Proposed New Programs

Urgent Care Medical Clinic

Community Medicine Practice

Home Care

Communicable Disease Clinic

Specialty Clinics for:

• Children

• Chronically ill

Community Rehabilitative Services

Cultural enhancement

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Formal Consultation Process - Multilayered

Phase I

Process began May 28, 2004May 28, 2004 - Capital Health sent letter to Edmonton Public Schools confirming interest in purchasing the School property

June 17, 2004 to June 5, 2005 – Seven Information meetings were held with

• Community League Executives

• City Councilors

• Business Association Leaders

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Formal Consultation Process

Phase II

October 19, 2005 – February 3, 2006 – Seven additional meetings held with:

• City of Edmonton Councilors and Mayor’s office

• Community Action Program

• Condo Association

• MLA

• Community League Executives

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Formal Consultation Process

Phase III

February 8, 2006 – June 12, 2006 First official community meeting. 115 community

residents attended. Mail drop to all households’ ads in community newspapers.

February 27, 2006 – First Design Workshop with the community, design charette

• Issues - use of former school, parking, and green space

• 60 local residents attended

• Mail out to 30,000 households, ads in community papers

April 4, 2006 – Second Design Workshop.

• 40 community residents attended.

• Invitations were sent out to 30,000 households, ads in community papers

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Formal Consultation Process

June 12, 2006 – Meeting with the City of Edmonton Mayor, Chief of Staff, and Councilors – update

June 12, 2006 – Third Design Workshop

Design sketches:

retain the school,

use of underground parking,

maximize green space and save trees

20 local residents attended. 30,000 household mail drop

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Formal Consultation Process

Set up website for questions

Sign on the site to invite community to meetings

Phase IV

December 2006 – Presentation to City Council

March 2007 – Presentation to Suburban Development Approval Board – Approved Permit

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Outcomes from Consultation Retain and refit school and join it to the new building by pedway.

Requested Alberta Government cover additional funding to build full underground parkade for staff – approved

All above ground parking – dedicated for clients

Retained trees and monitored their health. Replaced trees which expired during construction process

Green grass maintained and growing above underground parkade

No needle exchange on site

No Methadone Clinic

No forensic psychiatry

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Cultural Considerations

Hired Architects who have facilitated community consultations and worked with Aboriginal Communities

Aboriginal Community – 15% of population

New Canadians – 15% of population

Created a Cultural Committee

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Design Decisions

Design decisions coming from Aboriginal Elders and Multicultural representatives

• Created a separate “Circular Gathering Room” for ceremonies and spiritual events – mats and couches for sweet grass ceremonies

• Created a circular waiting room on the main floor of the building

• Set up a separate office near building entrance for Aboriginal and Cultural workers

• Use natural light, rock, and water when possible

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Design Decisions Continued

• Paint directions on the floor of building near entrance

• Create art and display boxes for Aboriginal and other cultural displays in waiting room

• Paint the wall 4 specific colours to reflect the 4 directions

• Erect a Teepee on the grounds during Spring and Summer

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QUESTIONS?