The South Shuswap is Area C of the Columbia Shuswap Regional District. Our communities are surrounded by the Shuswap Lake, wonderful views, with lots of opportunity for year around activities. The predominant population are seniors, but this has been changing with the influx of younger families over the last 4 to 5 years.
South Shuswap Health Services Society (SSHSS) has been promoting and supporting healthy built communities in the South Shuswap since incorporation in June 2013.
Healthy Built Communities are defined as: “Healthy Built Environments (HBE) are planned and built communities with services and resources which health evidence demonstrates has a positive impact on people’s physical, mental and social health.”
“A healthy community is one in which local groups from all parts of the community work together to prevent disease and make healthy living options accessible. … It also helps to reduce health gaps caused by differences in income, education, race and ethnicity, location and other factors that can affect health”
Copper Island Seniors Resource Centre opened in October 2014 in Blind Bay. When mobile lab services became available, Copper Island Health and Wellness Centre (CIHWC) was established in 2017. CIHWC brings support services to the South Shuswap such as mobile lab services, footcare, seniors’ resources, opportunities for support groups to meet, and is a location for IHA and paramedics to see patients. We are “Seniors helping Seniors.”
The vision and long-term plan of SSHSS is to have a Community Health Centre in the South Shuswap that provides primary and allied health care services to our communities “bringing health care closer to home”
The success of Copper Island Health and Wellness Centre is due to the dedication of community volunteers and support. SSHSS is funded through grants, fundraising, and memberships. Operations are not supported financially by Interior Health Authority or government funding.
SSHSS operated a Saturday walk in clinic from October 2019 which in turn allowed them the opportunity to have a doctor in the clinic during the spring of 2021. Unfortunately, the Dr. was unable to continue, and Copper Island Medical Clinic was closed. It was very evident there is a need for more health services in the South Shuswap. Many patients were elderly with acute and chronic conditions that required immediate attention.
The Sorrento and Area Community Health Centre provides the services of two nurse practitioners to serve our communities. This model is working very well. The population is growing and currently exceeds 8,000 and increases in the summer. There is a need to expand health services for the population of the South Shuswap.
Community driven and supported Health Centres are being utilized to bring health care “closer to home” and provide support services to their communities. This is happening throughout the Province of B.C. The grass roots community support groups are generally supported by Seniors who see the need for sufficient support. Services closer to the population base will promote and prompt the use of medical and health services on a more regular basis, therefore improving the health of the community. A reduction of the use of emergency services will result in a significant cost reduction for hospitals and in turn taxpayers.
Regional Districts are not required to support health services in their communities. Incorporated communities do have the provincial support and financial support. The disparity is evident in the Shuswap Communities. BC Rural Health Network brings a unified voice to those who can make a difference to the Rural Communities in British Columbia and proposes and supports changes that reduce the disparity in the governance process for unincorporated communities of B.C.
We are proud to be a founding member of the BCRHN. The network has grown from those early times that are not that long ago! This collective voice led by a dedicated team is making a difference to the rural communities of B.C. A wonderful opportunity to collaborate, communicate and advocate. Thank you for your dedication and vision and continued support.
Sue McCrae President
South Shuswap Health Services Society
Member of the Month July 2022
Visit https://sshss.ca/
