CURRENT NEWS

The Manitoba First Nations Patient Wait Times Guarantee Pilot Project has concluded. A model of meaningful partnership and full participation of Manitoba First Nations and other key partners was integral to the success of this project, and we sincerely thank all participants for their contributions and commitment.

• Click here to download and view a copy of the Final Report, including recommendations
  
  
• Click here to view a PowerPoint summary

THE PROJECT

Diabetes is a significant health issue for First Nations in Manitoba. Through their long standing partnership with Manitoba First Nations (MFNs), Saint Elizabeth Health Care (SEHC) began to see the epidemic nature of diabetes and its complications. The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) was also seeing the devastating impact of this chronic disease in their communities, a disease that was unknown to their people until 30 years ago. Researchers confirmed these observations and identified that 18.9% of Manitoba First Nations people are living with diabetes versus 4.54% of all other Manitobans. In addition, Manitoba First Nations are 18 times more likely to have an amputation as a result of a diabetic foot ulcer than all other Manitobans (Martens, Martin, O’Neil & MacKinnon, 2007).

In January 2007, Federal Health Minister, the Honorable Tony Clement, announced a unique Patient Wait Time Guarantee (PWTG) pilot project to explore the prevention, care and treatment of foot ulcers among Manitoba First Nations people living with diabetes. The goal of the Manitoba First Nations PWTG project was to understand the current health care process for diabetes and foot care, and to develop a patient wait time guarantee framework that would reduce the significant impacts of foot ulcers and the disproportionate number of amputations. SEHC, an innovative home care nursing organization, and AMC, a First Nations leadership advocacy organization, brought their shared values and collective strengths together in partnership to embark on an 18-month journey of discovery. Working collaboratively with a wide cross-section of partners, a patient wait time guarantee framework was created. This included best practices and benchmarks for care, recourse options for patients who do not receive treatment within the designated timeframe, as well as a model for First Nations involvement.

To provide information on the current situation and develop meaningful and realistic solutions, the partners chose to involve Manitoba First Nations people and communities at every level and phase of the project. This included employing First Nations project staff, developing a First Nations advisory committee, involving Traditional Healers, as well as the many other methods outlined in the Final Report. Networks, partnerships and synergies with other MFN diabetes-related initiatives and groups were also developed.

Key partners provided foundational information to guide the project through process mapping workshops, interviews and community profiles. As well, eight First Nation communities from across Manitoba were invited to participate as project partners. Clinical elements of the PWTG framework were developed and implemented across these pilot sites. Three community gatherings and numerous community visits ensured full involvement of community staff, leadership and First Nations community members to provide ongoing feedback and evaluation about the framework and its implementation.

Advisory committee meeting in Peguis First Nation

Community visit to Brokenhead First Nation

PWTG IN THE NEWS

CBC News Manitoba