About

Our Service Model

The Fort St. James First Nations-Led Primary Health Care Initiative

The Fort St. James First Nations-Led Primary Health Care Initiative, known as the Dadzi Wellness Centre, is a partnership between the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA).

It supports First Nations communities in developing and enhancing innovative primary healthcare services and delivery models that consider the social determinants of health and improve access to culturally safe, trauma-informed care. Initiative service locations, called “Primary Care Centres” (PCCs), will employ wholistic team-based models to meet pressing primary healthcare needs of First Nations living in both rural and urban settings. Although the Initiative sites will target First Nations populations, the Initiative will be open to all Indigenous people, as well as non-Indigenous people consistent with a no barriers to care approach.

We have established in Fort St. James a holistic system that is led by First Nations. We aspire to a model that honors the individual through care that is unwaveringly respectful and culturally safe, and that offers access to traditional healing methods. We want our community members to feel safe and cared for from the moment they book their appointment through every touchpoint where they request and receive care, for the duration of their lifetimes.

A “No Barriers to Care” Service Delivery Structure

From the very beginning of the engagement process, the First Nation communities of Nak’azdli, Tl’azt’en and Binche were clear that there is a fundamental need to establish a “no barriers to care” service delivery structure in Fort St. James.

  1. The facility will serve as the physical site, complete with clinical space, traditional room, reception space designed to facilitate team-based, wraparound care, kitchen, staff, community washroom and boardroom.
  2. The services at this site will be centrally managed and administered; and
  3. The principles of team-based care will be implemented.
  4. The Interim Plan will establish 3 mobile anchor positions with touch-down spaces in Fort St. James, Tl’azt’en and Binche. These spaces will provide basic facilities for the Dadzi Wellness Centre team to provide outreach that addresses in-community health service gaps identified collaboratively by the Clinic Operations Manager and communities.