News Release – Northern Health Child Health consultation engagement opportunities beginning May 19, 2016

Northern Health will begin its seventh board consultation series titled Growing up Healthy on May 19, 2016.

The consultation will focus on the health and well-being of children from conception to the age of 17 across northern B.C.

“Northern Health’s consultation series is an effective way to gather information from people in northern B.C. and identify how best to support the health of children and youth,” said Health Minister Terry Lake. “The consultation will provide an opportunity to promote existing work, particularly in rural areas, and recognizes that working to improve the health of the youngest residents is a key step to a healthier north.”

The consultation builds on the Chief Medical Health Officer’s Child Health report released in April that highlights supports available for a healthy start for children in northern B.C., as well as areas that need to be addressed according to evidence-based research. The Child Health report is available under the community accountability section on northernhealth.ca.

“The board is pleased with the Chief Medical Health Officer’s Child Health report as it provides the data and information we need to begin these discussions, and now we want to hear from people in communities across the north about their local perspectives,” said Dr. Charles Jago, Northern Health Board Chair. “There are a variety of methods and times that people can engage in this discussion, and we want people to participate in as many forums as they would like.”

The consultation will include:

  • Community meetings in 12 communities. These will include a presentation and working groups to discuss various ideas. A list of community meetings is available at the end of this release.
  • Nine stakeholder sessions with organizations at work directly with children and youth such as Ministry of Children and Family Development, school districts, and day cares.
  • Youth group sessions in select communities across the region.
  • Online engagement through a Thoughtexchange online survey on northernhealth.ca