At the recent First Nations Health Directors Association (FNHDA) Annual General Meeting, the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) announced partial sponsorship for all registered members of the FNHDA to attend the 2017 BC Quality Forum on March 1-3 in Vancouver, BC. The FNHA confirmed the importance of a regular “service-focused conference” delivered in partnership with provincial health system.  The FNHA will be providing more details about this opportunity through the FNHDA in the coming weeks. To learn more please visit: http://qualityforum.ca/pre-forum-sessions/best-of-both-worlds/

Health Directors working for First Nation communities are critical partners in the co-creation of viable and acceptable approaches to quality care for our community members.  It is in this spirit of partnership that the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) and First Nations Health Directors Association (the Association) are pleased to invite all registered members of the Association for a partnered discussion on quality March 1-3 in Vancouver, BC.

Best of Both Worlds: Dimensions of Quality, Indigenous Perspectives, a unique pre-forum event on March 1, will examine what quality care looks like from Indigenous perspectives and how Indigenous concepts of health and wellness can be reflected within FNHA, First Nations and provincial quality frameworks. This pre-conference event will offer four streams of interactive workshops including: cultural safety and humility, quality 101, defining a First Nations quality framework and building health care allies.  The day is designed to allow ample time to network with one another and quality partners from the provincial health system.

As partners we are pleased to be refocusing on a regular health service focused conversation.  We have an exciting opportunity before us to create a premier health conference for First Nations and system partners focused on the issues that matter most to our people. The FNHA and the Association look forward to working together to write the next chapter in health and wellness service improvements for BC First Nations.

Purpose

A workshop-based day bringing together Indigenous and non-Indigenous people working in health care for a deep and inspired conversation on what quality means for Indigenous people. The First Nations Health Authority has commenced development of a First Nations quality framework. The framework will be discussed at the forum and is comprised of three elements of quality including:

1. Quality of FNHA services,
2. Quality for First Nation community health service organizations and
3. Quality of provincial health services.

Objectives

• Explore the concept of quality with an Indigenous health and wellness lens;
• Build capability on the fundamentals of quality improvement;
• Examine the health system levers for quality;
• Accelerate cultural safety and humility in the healthcare system; and
• Develop and strengthen relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people working in healthcare.

Registration Costs and Subsidy Approach

The FNHA is supporting registration costs for the full three-day forum ($325 per delegate) including the pre-conference Best of Both Worlds Forum. A special registration link will be circulated to all FNHDA members in good standing as soon as registration opens.

A travel bursary for all registered members of the First Nations Health Directors Association based on geography and complexity of travel is also available according to the following criteria:

1. Delegates are FNHDA members in good standing as of December 1.
2. Delegates are responsible for booking their own hotel and travel arrangements.
3. The FNHA will issue reimbursements for incurred travel expenses based on the pre-established subsidy amounts below:

• $1800 – True North

Defined as communities requiring multiple modes of transportation, including significant driving distance and 1-2 flights

• $1500 – North West; North East; North Central; North Interior; East Interior; Central Coast

Defined as communities requiring flight as their primary mode of transportation

• $1200 – South and Central Interior

Defined as communities requiring significant driving distance as their primary mode of transportation

• $1000 – North and West Vancouver Island

Defined as communities requiring complex transportation, including flights and ferries

• $800 – Central and South Vancouver Island

Defined as communities requiring minimal driving distance and ferries

• $500 – Fraser Valley

Defined as communities requiring a minimal driving distance

• $300 – Lower Mainland

Defined as communities within 45 minutes of driving distance to Vancouver

Pre-forum events have historically sold out this event is first come, first served and has a 260 seat capacity. Travel subsidy reimbursements will be provided onsite to attendees.

To Register

Please visit https://event-wizard.com/QF17/0/welcome and use the following registration codes to register for the Best of Both Worlds pre-forum or Best of Both Worlds pre-forum and the 2017 Quality Forum.

Option 1: Best of Both Worlds pre-Forum registration fee only (March 1)- use code BBWinvoice

Option 2: Best of Both Worlds pre-Forum registration fees and the 2017 Quality Forum (March 1-3) – BBW2invoice

We wish you a happy holiday season and look forward to seeing you in March.

In wellness,

Kim Brooks, President, FNHDA &

Joe Gallagher, Chief Executive Officer, FNHA