The Health Department oversees the operation of community health clinics, medical transportation, early childhood development, home and community care, telehealth, dental and vision, and finally the Suboxone Treatment Program.
Currently, there are two community nurses that provide emergency treatment and initial assessments. They also provide public health education. Three Community Health Representatives (CHRs) are also based in the community. They provide a variety of health promotion activities in the schools and the clinic.
With a fleet of three vehicles, medical transportation is provided in all three communities. On average, four-six trips per day occure to and from Sioux Lookout. Four drivers are employed, working in two shifts per day, and a travel coordinator oversees scheduling. A wheelchair access van will soon be purchased due to an increase in patients with disability,
The Health Department also operates two Aboriginal Headstart Programs, one in Frenchman’s Head and the other in Kejick Bay. The program in Frenchman’s Head is staffed by three people and provides a meals program. The program in Kejick Bay has a limit of five spaces available and has one staff member.
With a team of one nurse and two personal support workers, the Home and Community Care program provides daily visits to Elders. During visits, they check on the needs of Elders, provide dressing changes if necessary, and general
companionship. The current caseload is just over 20 clients.
In Telehealth, there is one coordinator that is administered through KO-eHealth. There are two stations in the Kejick Bay clinic. It allows people to link in with specialists for an initial consultation.
Dental visits continue to occur every three months in the community. Vision services were recently introduced to the community. An optometrist visited over the summer and continued visits are expected.
A highlight this year was the launch of the Suboxone Treatment Program (see report on next page) to address addiction issues in the community. A healing lodge is being built that will utilize aftercare activities and land-based activities to assist in the healing process of individuals struggling with addictions and trauma.
Moving forward, the Health Department is working on establishing an Extended Care Home for Elders so they don’t have to leave the community. Also, a dialysis unit is also being looked into for the community to eliminate travel for diabetes patients.
Suboxone Clinic
The Suboxone Treatment Program was created in Lac Seul as a result of a 2013 needs assessment. That study determined the number of drug users in the community was quite high. Since then, the
community has worked to get the program off the ground.
Located in Kejick Bay, the program had its first intake in June 2015 with eight clients taking part. Since then another intake of six clients have started the program, for a total of 14 people varying in age from 20–40 years old.
The clinic runs seven days a week with a staff of three: Program Coordinator, Aftercare Coordinator and Support Worker. When individuals enter the program they sign a contract. It stipulates that clients must be drug and alcohol free and must report regularly to the doctor.
Upon entering the program, there is a detoxification period and clients are started on Suboxone. What it does is eliminate the need for a “fix” as it works to repair the brain. It also alleviates withdrawal symptoms. The amount of time an individual can stay on Suboxone varies. It could last a year. But over time, the dosage is lowered until the individual no longer requires it.
Recognizing that individuals are abusing drugs for a reason, such as past trauma, the program aims to integrate aftercare into the program. This includes counselling as well as land-based
activities such as hunting trips or fishing. It’s the aim of staff, as well as the community, that the program not become a dispensing clinic for Suboxone. It’s important to address the issues behind their drug abuse.
While still in the early stages, program staff are already seeing positive changes in clients. They are getting back to themselves and getting back to their families.
Showing signs of success so far, the community wants to see the program continue. Funding is not in place at the moment, but the community is supporting it until the end of March. Ongoing funding is currently being pursued.
Suboxone Program Coordinator
Simon Thompson
Phone: 582-0619
Contact Numbers for Lac Seul First Nation Clinics
Frenchman’s Head
Phone: 582-3512 Fax: 582-3837
Kejick Bay
Phone: 582-9812 Fax: 582-9878
Whitefish Bay
Phone: 582-3293 Fax: 582-3257