Heal Meeting hears concerns of N. Shere groups Katharine Hamer Contributing Writer SPECIAL interest advisory groups got their first chance to exchange ideas with the new board of the North Shore Health Region (NSHR) fast Wednesday. The groups represented the interests of ethaocultural minorities, mental health patients, people with disabil- ities, seniors, and women on the North Shore. They convened at Lions Gate Hospital to share their views Gn healtheare for the region. Health Minister Priddy appointed current board members of the NSHR, as well as Chair Len Kelsey, in May following hos- pital-based health = commit- tees. Kelsey was originally appointed As Pablic Administrator prior to raking up his role as Chair of the Board. Healthcare consultant Bert Harber begins his new jeb as CEO of the NSHR on Monday. Kelsey emphasized in his introduction the central role thar the advisory groups would continue to have in the work of the NSHR, Each group was then given the apporrunity to outline their function, activi- ties, specific issues, and furure goals. These included: @ Ethnocultural Minorities: addressing health — service barriers for residents of an ethnic minority background, including racial discrimina- don and difficulties with language and comprchen- Penny » Premium tiered rates guaranteed for 7 years >» Cashable any time after first GO days without penaley > RRSP and Wednesaay. October 21 orth Shore News - 27 by advisory groups ene darifebemrmsnane tm oo NEWS photo Brad iedwidge LEN Kelsey, newly appointed Chair of the North Shore Health Region Board, wel- comed local Population Advisory Groups to an information-sharing meeting at Lions Gate Hospital last week. tien on healtheare planning The groups underlined with a number of illustrative the need for public consulta- sion. @ Mental Health: pubiic education and community outreach; as well as improv- ing housing and transporta- tion facilites for the mentally ill. B People With Disabilities: improving housing — and transportation services and facilitating access to health- care for people with disabiii- ties. B Seniors: providing better daveare and residential facili- ties for the elderly, improv- ing transportation and shel- tered housing; and running an outreach program which attempts to engage isolated seniors in social activities. @ Women: outreach pro- grams; eliminating gender in the healtheare sys- and highlighting issues specific to women’s: health such as pregnancy and child- care, eating disorders and menopause. 165 HP, 2.5L engine All wheel drive Four channel ABS Power windows, locks & mirrors Air conditioning Leather interior Heated seats/mirrors 80watt, AM/FM cassette/CD Halogen fog lamps Keyless entry Wood grain trim Dash 16” alloy wheels Sports rack system and much more Ds5984 RRIF eligible >» Minimum deposit $100 cvamples Phe bthnesultural Minories Advisory Group rovounted the store oof an elderly Asian wonian whose Fnelish speaking doctors were anable te convey that her ahabetes aduse bhadness. By the time she had over caine hangiiige and understood the connecnon, sightin her right eve completely, fangee Gunderson of the Women’s Advisory Group, meanwhile talked about women in North Vancouver who had *tiifen through the eracks.” “Youll find (these womeny atthe food bank with few groceries te their name,” she said. Youll find them in back alleys rummaging through dumpsters, or sleeping, in cars. Some of them have small children, and that’s ne way to bring up a child.” The NSHR board seemed pleased with Advisory Group contributions at the smecting. As Ted Bruce, regional coud crs. ety sho had test os planning and petra develop ment director, bold Advisory Croup members, “the CNA ples vou gave put mearte the potatocs of the planning Process... “Pm vers opumistic that the kind of input we're already geting bodes well tor the future.” He added that an imine diate goal of the NSHR was to inerease the indepen dence of seniors in the com munity. There was some concern about a cross aver of issues between groups -- for cxam- ple, the Women’s Advisory Group also covering seniors’ and mental health issues. However, both the advi- sory groups and the NSHR were satistied that this could be easily resolved. “You're a great triend to the North Shore Health Region,” Len Kelsey told the groups at the end of the evening. “You're always wel- come here.” An annual general meet- ing and public report for the region are anticipated next month. > Complete range of mutual funds, including Trimark, bc etal od yet Fidelity, Di Templeton ynamic and > Full brokerage services through our investment firm, Credential Securities Inc. -Mutual Funds, Stocks and Bonds FOCUS ON YOUR FINANCIAL SECURITY with sound investments from NSCU. ® Base PSE 100 or glebai market index performance thet >» Play che don market with nor isk to www.nseu.ca, We have all your financial solutions. 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