Northern Health (NH) is a vibrant part of communities across the North. When people come to seek health services, we want them to see their community reflected in the workforce. A workforce that reflects the local community supports a culturally safe health system for everyone. This in turn supports increased access to health care and improved health outcomes.
The health and wellness of First Nations and Aboriginal people and communities in Northern BC is a priority for NH. We work together with Northern First Nations and the First Nations Health Authority on a Partnership Committee. The Committee developed a Plan to support the improved health and wellness of First Nations and Aboriginal peoples in Northern BC. The Plan includes goals to:
- develop a workforce that reflects the broader community, and
- encourage all NH employees to self-identify as Aboriginal or non-Aboriginal.
So this October, Northern Health invited all employees to self-identify as Aboriginal or non-Aboriginal. This initiative will help us measure how well the NH workforce reflects the communities of Northern BC and any changes over time.
Self-identifying is voluntary and all uses of the data will comply with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.