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| Health Care Co-operatives Federation of Canada |
Health co-operatives enable people to work together to provide the best possible care, wellness education, facilities and a wide range of other services. Every health co-op responds to the needs in its own community and is unique. But despite the differences, there are many similarities and opportunities to learn from each other and develop mutually supportive plans and actions together. These are excellent reasons to follow the principle of Co-operation amongst Co-operatives.
Supported by the Canadian Co-operative Association, The Co-operators and SaskCentral, representatives of health co-ops from across Canada met in early July 2011 to establish the Health Care Co-operatives Federation of Canada. The services provided by the participating co-operatives range from home care to support for people with developmental delays to integrative primary health care centres. Each co-op responds uniquely to the needs of the community in which its member-owners live. Each is able to achieve high quality health services that are both care effective and cost effective. The newly established national federation will take this message to the general public and political leaders.
It will also inform health professionals, the public and potential volunteers and supporters to know that the member-owners love their work in the health co-ops, whether this is as paid staff, medical professionals or volunteer board and committee members, or dedicated volunteers. According to Interim Chair, Vanessa Hammond, when the members of the new HCCFC were talking about the great enthusiasm they have for this work, they agreed that it is because "health co-ops are so cool!" They are all dedicated to being able to have a strong voice in their own health and wellness.
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Back Row: Benoit Caron, Quebec Federation of Homecare and Health Co-ops; Paul Lendzyk, Community Health Services (Wynyard and District) Ltd.; Frank Regel, Prince Albert Community Clinic; Marge McCabe, Families Matter Co-op; Andy Morrison, Nor West Co-op; Bob Barteaux, Pacific Rim Health Services Co-op; Collette Robertson, Regina Community Clinic; Lorna Knudson, Regina Community Clinic; Lynn Adams, Community First Health Co-op;
Middle Row: Patricia Hanbidge, Crocus Co-op; John Anderson, Canadian Co-operative Association; Tim Archer, Saskatoon Community Clinic; Susan Dunbar, Pictou County Home Health Care Co-op Ltd.; Phyllis MacDonald, Pictou County Home Health Care Co-op Ltd.; Anne Doucette, Saskatoon Community Clinic; Mary Flynn, Regina Community Clinic;
Front Row: Mark Goldblatt, Canadian Co-operative Association; Vanessa Hammond, Victoria Community Health Co-op; Carol Murray, BC Co-operative Association; Chaya Ransen, Umbrella Multicultural Health Co-op; Andre Perras, Regina Community Clinic; Corey Mohr, Nor West Co-op.
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To find out more about the new Federation, watch for www.HealthCareCoopsCanada.coop which will soon be up and running. For information on the Health Care Co-ops that were represented at this first meeting, check their websites. The board, which includes one member from each province, and the co-ops they represent are listed below. The names of other member co-ops will be added as they complete the membership process. Names of others at the first meeting are listed below the Board members.
As Hammond says, "We are so cool and we invite you to join us! As a member of a health co-op you have a say in how your health care is delivered. If there is no health co-op in your area, ask us about how to decide if this could be a good option for your community."
The interim board of the HCCFC:
Chair: Vanessa Hammond, Victoria Community Health Co-op (BC)
Vice-Chair: Phyllis MacDonald, Pictou County Home Care Co-op (NS)
Secretary-Treasurer: Lorna Knudson, Operations Manager, Regina Community Health Clinic (SK)
Board members: Andy Morrison, Nor'West Co-op Community Health Centre (MB); Doug Dowhos, Team Werks Co-op (ON); and Yvonne Chiu, Multicultural Health Brokers Co-operative (AB).
The Board hopes to add a representative from PEI in the near future.
Benoît Caron of the Fédération des coopératives de services à domicile et de santé du Québec gave an enthusiastic and encourage presentation at the meeting and has offered to work co-operatively with the HCCFC.
The HCCFC looks forward to welcoming other members from across Canada, and to learn from and co-operate with Health Care Co-op federations around the world. One of the first plans is to contact the National Alliance of State Health Cooperatives, which also held its inaugural meeting in Washington, D.C in July 2011.
For further information please contact
Vanessa Hammond, Interim Chair, Health Care Co-operatives Federation of Canada
vanessa@ownership.coop
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