The Ministry of Health and Long-term Care defines
Community Health Centres as “non-profit organizations
that provide primary health and health promotion
programs for individuals, families and communities. A
health centre is established and governed by a
community-elected board of directors.”What does this mean for YOU?
It means….
- You can access health care and health information
right in your neighbourhood in a way you feel
comfortable, with people who have knowledge of your
community
- You can now access some services that you were
unable to, for whatever reason, in the traditional
health care system
- You have increased access to social and community
services
- You can speak out about issues that matter to you
in your community
- You can have a say in the health of your community
- You can participate in making your community
healthier for everyone
Principals of health care that reach beyond primary
or medical health care guide a CHC’s mandate and
operation. Health is more than the absence of
disease; it includes overall well being of a
community at many levels, including family and
individual.
Using this understanding of health, CHCs provide
services that keep people healthy by addressing
impacts on health that are social, environmental,
physical, and economic. CHCs focus on preventing
health problems by building people’s capacity to
access the services and things they need, like
employment, affordable housing, childcare, youth
recreation programs, to name a few.
Health promotion provides education to communities
to empower people to speak out for their right to be
healthy. By working with existing organizations and
groups in East Mississauga, health promotion can
increase people’s access to information on issues
that are important to them and affect their
well-being.
How does a CHC differ from other health care
providers?
- You can access available services at a CHC that
you may not have access to in the traditional health
care system, for whatever reason
- CHCs provide you with family health care
administered by doctors and nurse practitioners;
this can include naturopathy or asthma clinics for example.
- CHCs can offer foot care for people that cannot
normally access fee-based services
- Combined social and health services increase your
access and respond to specific needs of your
community
- CHC’s provide a continuity of care, including
follow-up for clients
- Health promotion is a core value of CHCs
- Community participation is ensured in a variety of
ways, including community governed Board of
Directors.
|
