Northern Health has released the final report from its community consultation on health services held across Northern British Columbia this spring and summer. The Let's Talk about Addictions and Mental Health consultation asked Northern BC residents for their views on improvements to these important health services.

"We have made it a priority to provide the best supports for British Columbians facing challenges associated with mental health and addictions," said Health Minister George Abbott. "The extensive community consultation in Northern B.C. supports our commitment to continually improving mental health and addictions programs."

The consultation included meetings in 36 communities across the region, including visits to Aboriginal communities. Residents also provided feedback through mail-in forms, e-mail and a telephone line dedicated to the process.

"The NH Board sees the on-going community consultation processes that we hold as crucial to improving health services in our region. The latest consultation has given us important information to guide the development of our programs and services," said NH Board chair Dr. Charles Jago.

Key recommendations from the consultation include:
- Improved availability of urgent care for clients closer to their home communities;
- Reducing policy barriers to access, and better identification of gaps in service;
- Improved access to detoxification services;
- Better support of clients before, during and after treatment, including assistance with community partnerships; and
- Improved awareness of cultural needs for care providers.

Northern Health will include feedback from the consultation into the health region's strategic and program planning. The report includes a list of potential action items that NH staff will consider to improve addictions and mental health services in the region

"Our consultation team and I appreciate everything that Northern BC residents told us this year. I want them to know that we've heard what they had to say. Their feedback will make a meaningful difference in improving the services we provide," said Suzanne Johnston, Northern Health's vice-president of academic services and chief nursing officer.

The full consultation report, its executive summary and community-by-community feedback documents are available at www.northernhealth.ca