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Joining forces to improve health care

Ann Davidson
The Gazette
Thursday, July 17, 2008

The building of the Tower of Babel could be considered the forerunner of modern day community building. It united humanity, no matter the language spoken, and became the model of collaboration.

In healthy community development, there is absolutely no room for getting stuck in the rut of negative accusations that are usually manifestations of conclusions based on second hand information or subjective opinion derived from jealousy, competition and the proverbial power struggle. Gone are the days of hierarchal organization and exclusive decision making.

Capacity building is growing in leaps, and the most effective and natural method is asset accumulation. That means bringing together diverse expertise, knowledge, experience and as many people as possible to discuss issues at hand, brainstorm and implement action plans. Proven as a more effective method of management than the hierarchical organization, a networked organization is fuelled by collaboration and inclusion. It is the common sense answer to developing sustainable solutions.

There is no question our health care system has some deficiencies, but our recently resigned minister of health and social affairs, Philippe Couillard, must be commended for the vision he has implemented within parts of the health reform he was responsible for during his five-year term.

With the shared governance of the hospitals, CLSC’s and public nursing homes, the imposed collaboration of all partners – including the community sector that provides auxiliary support to the process – is evolving. A more solid communication system that provides a fluid transition from hospital care to home support is strengthening and many holes are being bridged.

At a recent meeting with the director general of the West Island Health and Social Service Centre, there was a renewed willingness to increase collaboration to improve the needs inside our community. This ongoing process involves not only those working inside the public system, but also leaders representing vulnerable populations in the community sector.

As recently as last week, an important consultation was executed by West Island Community Shares in the presence of most of the 29 organizations it supports. The inclusive consultation was to gather information about perceived issues and challenges that Community Shares is facing after its 10 years of existence.

Why now? To increase its success in supporting important auxiliary services the health care system cannot provide and to sustain and/or augment our West Island quality of life. The outcome of that meeting? Solid and workable recommendations for future operation.

With its reputation as the only community in Canada that has successfully mobilized its community (citizens and corporations) to create and sustain a model such as Community Shares, the willingness to join forces has only intensified because, in the community sector, we know we cannot enhance our services without a combined effort.

And as the Babylon of Canada, West Islanders take pride in our cutting-edge approach to arriving at nnovative, sustainable solutions for any crises our community faces
today and in the future. The process takes time but, as everyone knows, the virtue of patience more often than not brings positive outcomes.

We will surely get to our destination if we continue to join hands.

Ann Davidson is director of the West Island Community Resource Centre and is deeply involved in community development.