Regional Health Authorities Responsibilities
The Burntwood Regional Health Authority (BRHA) is responsible for the operation and administration of facility and community based health programs and services at a regional level within the Burntwood Region of Manitoba. The BRHA is responsible within the context of broad provincial policy direction, for assessing and prioritizing those services and programs based on evidence based needs and developing and managing an integrated approach to health care delivery.
The Regional Health Authorities Act legislation came into force on April 1, 1997. It sets out the conditions under which the RHA's are incorporated, as well as defining duties and responsibilities of the Regional Health Authorities, for ensuring effective health planning and delivery.
Vision
Northern Health in Northern Hands
The BRHA is working toward a future where the health status of the Region is equal to, if not better than the rest of the province and where there are no health disparities among peoples. The mental, emotional, physical and spiritual health of individuals is supported by healthy families in healthy communities. Everyone is working together to create and maintain the best possible conditions for the best possible health outcomes. The BRHA is an employer of choice, providing a rich environment for growth and learning, research and best practice.
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Mission
To work with individuals, families and communities to achieve their best possible health and wellness.
Promote health, healthy choices, and healthy environments.
Prevent illness and injury.
Provide services for timely return to health.
Values
Compassion
We are fully present for others. We listen and respond thoughtfully.
Inclusiveness
We respect the richness of our diversity and treat each other fairly, equally and without bias. We recognize strength in holistic approaches and partnerships and honour participation and collaboration in all that we do.
Honesty
We are open, transparent and truthful in all that we do. We say what we mean and act with integrity in all that we do.
Trust
We instill confidence and believe in the wisdom of others. We earn others' trust by being truthful, by admitting our mistakes and by keeping confidences.
Accountability
We take responsibility for our actions and commitments. We monitor measure and communicate openly. We manage resources effectively and efficiently.
Respect
We recognize the value and uniqueness of individuals, families, communities and cultures through collaborative and honest relationships.
Balance and Harmony
We recognize the uniqueness of each community within the region and respond with flexibility. We ensure resources are applied to achieve optimum health and wellness. We recognize the importance of clean air, land and water and the need to support, restore and protect the environment for the health benefits of all.
Learning and Doing
We embrace forward thinking and give rise to new ideas. We display a willingness to learn and an attitude of flexibility and optimism. We learn from our mistakes and continuously improve.
Health Priorities
The following health issues are priorities for the Region. It should be noted that tobacco use, lack of physical activity and poor nutrition are all risk factors that contribute to Diabetes, Cardiovascular disease and Cancer.
- Child Health
- Chronic Disease Prevention and Treatment
- Cardiovascular Health
- Diabetes
- Cancer
- Mental Health/Wellness and Addictions
- Injury
- Infectious Diseases
- Oral Health
Breastfeeding Challenge
Child Health
We have an extraordinary young population compared to the rest of the province. Important markers include breastfeeding patterns, healthy childhood development and comprehensive immunization programs.
Chronic Disease Prevention and Treatment
Cardiovascular Health
Cardiovascular Disease is the leading cause of death in our region for both men and women. Diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, physical inactivity and poor nutrition are major contributors, all of which can be improved through healthier choices. By working together we can create healthier communities which promote those healthier choices and healthy living.
Diabetes
Diabetes is one of the most important causes of illness and death in our region. We have the highest rate of diabetes in the province, affecting those both on and off reserve. These numbers continue to rise. Prevention and treatment are key to ensuring the future health of our region.
Cancer
Cancer is a leading cause of illness and death in our region for both men and women. Screening to find cancer in its earliest stages is reaching fewer people in our region than elsewhere in the province. There is evidence that many cancers can be prevented by healthier personal choices and healthier environments.
Mental Health/Wellness and Addictions
Mental health/wellness and addictions and their interconnections are consistently identified in community consultations as one of our region's most important health concerns. Our region has the highest rate of addictions in the province also resulting in high incidence of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. Continuing to enhance our services in these areas and to utilize community partnerships remains critical in working towards the health of our region.
Injuries
Our region has had the highest injury hospitalization and death rate over the last decade. Injuries include those which are unintentional (like motor vehicle crashes and drowning) as well as those which are intentional (like assaults/homicide and self-inflicted injuries/suicides). Injuries take a particularly heavy toll on our young people. Injury prevention is receiving increased attention across the nation.
Infectious Diseases
Tuberculosis (TB)
The TB rate in our region is the highest in the province, several times that of the provincial average. The complexities of the disease in our socio-historical context challenge us to continue working with communities and other partners to achieve effective TB prevention and treatment.
STI's (Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis)
STI rates for our region are the highest in the province at several times the provincial average, primarily affecting our youth and young adults. Effective prevention and treatment through community partnerships are key.
Antibiotic Resistant Organisms
Antibiotic Resistant Organisms such as Methicillin Resistant Staph Aureus (MRSA) are on the rise everywhere, with particularly high rates of MRSA in our region. Improving infection control practises and antibiotic use patterns continues to be a high priority for the region.
Pandemic Influenza Preparedness
The ongoing development of antivirals and vaccines are new tools to improve the health sector response to the next worldwide influenza pandemic. However, anticipated decreased health system capacity will present significant challenges in the face of increased health services demand. Although the exact timing of the next pandemic is unknown, preparedness planning with community partners will help to minimize societal disruption and illness and death.
HIV/AIDS
Over the last few years in Manitoba, more new cases of HIV have occurred in Aboriginal persons than in any other ethnic group. Again, improving HIV/AIDS prevention and care will be best achieved through community partnerships.
Oral Health
Oral health is an important component of overall health and well-being; unfortunately high rates of gum disease and cavities continue to be prevalent in our region. Improving prevention efforts through community partnerships and continued quality treatment availability will help improve oral health.
Strategies
The following strategies are interwoven and interdependent and must be considered in concert with one another, the health priorities and the system as a whole. The health priorities will be addressed through the following strategies:
1. Health Promotion and Disease and Injury Prevention: Focus on prevention and promotion activities to improve the health status of the people in our region.
1.1. Continue to better integrate chronic disease prevention and health promotion into primary health care.
1.2. Ensure healthy environments by working with community partners. This includes clean air, water, and soil, as well as an environment that promotes safety and healthier personal choices.
1.3. Work with individuals as they learn about and care for their own health, connecting through community partners like the education system.
1.4. Advocate for best practices utilization and adequate resources for such strategies.
2. Partnerships and Engagement: Impact the health status of the Region by continuing to build partnerships that integrate strategic planning with communities.
2.1 Enhance partnerships to influence the health determinants that are beyond the scope of the BRHA that require a stronger advocacy role.
2.2 Enhance partnerships with FNIHB, Manitoba Health and Aboriginal leaders to deliver health services with a shared vision and a strategic plan.
2.3 Enhance partnerships to facilitate research, training and best practices.
2.4 Enhance partnerships to deliver effective prevention and promotion activity strategies.
3. Aboriginal Health: Work towards transformation of the current health systems to address the disparities in health status.
3.1 Participate with Aboriginal leaders, FNIHB and Manitoba Health in the broader transformation of the health system to better address the health needs of First Nations and Métis peoples.
3.2 Continue to engage local communities in addressing the disease and injury prevention, health promotion and health service delivery needs within their communities by supporting their development of community health plans in collaboration with the BRHA.
3.3 Develop and implement an Aboriginal Health Program in the organization.
4 Capacity Development/ Sustainability: Develop the capacity of the system to address the burden of illness in the Region and create sustainability.
4.1 Facilitate health research in the Region.
4.2 Develop standardized tools and practices
4.3 Create a human resource strategy that will work for a transitional workforce, develop and hire the people of the region and provide the supports and incentives to retain people.
4.4 Establish a change management strategy that will build the organization required to support the strategic plan.
4.5 Develop the capacity of all communities to support their health and wellness.
4.6 Secure funding commensurate with the health needs of the Region and coordinate resources with partners.
4.7 Ensure system competency through balanced scorecard evaluation. Access will be a key part of this evaluation.
5 Continuity of care: Develop a seamless continuum of responsive patient focused care to support individuals, regardless of jurisdiction, to receive services according to their needs.
5.1 Promotion and prevention activities are offered throughout the region.
5.2 Treatment is consistent with existing care plan and changes are communicated to all caregivers.
5.3 Discharge planning ensures that the plan of care is continued in the home environment.
5.4 The patient is actively included in all planning.
5.5 Case management is utilized to ensure that all disciplines have input to and are aware of the plan of care.
5.6 Ongoing communication and linkages with our jurisdictional and external partners.
5.7 Patient satisfaction questionnaires will measure continuity of care.
6. Children and Youth: Children are the fastest growing population segment of the Burntwood Region. They are the future leaders responsible for the direction of the region and its health outcomes. Therefore they will need to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, judgment and ability as leaders to understand and positively influence health status to change the long term health status of the region as a whole.
6.1 Ensure practical and realistic evidenced-based developmental tools and resources are available throughout the region. This must include healthy choices, mental wellbeing and physical activity.
6.2 Develop a comprehensive referral network based on the regional needs and identified gaps.
6.3 Develop/participate in an evaluation component to ensure the developmental tools and resources are meeting the needs and that services are provided and optimal positive outcomes are being achieved.
6.4 Enhance partnerships with other social services/agencies and communities to provide the appropriate parenting capacity-building skills and supports to high-risk families.
7. Patient Safety: Continue to actively promote a culture of safety within the organization through implementation and monitoring of best practices in our day to day operations to improve the safety of our patients.
7.1 Continue participation in Safer Healthcare Now! initiatives with expansion to include additional interventions.
7.2 Continue implementation of Falls Prevention program throughout the region.
7.3 Implementation of Safe Patient Transfers policy.
7.4 Continue to implement patient safety practices to ensure compliance with the Canadian Council on Health Services Accreditation (CCHSA) Required Organizational Practices (ROPs).
The Region
The BRHA is the largest geographical health region in the province at 324,000 square kilometers covering 52% of the province. It encompasses one city, three towns, 20 First Nations communities (most of which have adjacent non-treaty communities), 7 Northern Affairs communities and multiple hamlets and cottage settlements dispersed in unorganized territories across the region.
Transportation and communication infrastructure is not as extensive as in other parts of the province. Some communities are accessible only by air or winter roads, and many homes may still not have a telephone or running water.
The total population is 45, 798 and approximately half of the residents live in First Nations communities. 70% of the population is of Aboriginal descent. 44% of the residents are under the age 15 and only 4% are over the age of 65. Almost 50% speak a language other than French or English as their first language. View the BRHA Map.
