“Community Influences the Design of a Primary Health Care Centre for Inner City Edmonton” Canadian Public Health Association Conference June 2008 Halifax, Nova Scotia Presented by:Delmarie Sadoway, Senior Operating Officer Capital Health, Edmonton, Alberta

2 Community Influences the Design of a Primary Health Care Centre for Inner City Edmonton  In 2004 Capital Health embarked on an extensive community consultation process to enhance the design of a new Primary Health Care Centre to serve: A diverse population - east and central communities of Edmonton 60,000 people Lowest health status in the Capital region Chronic illness, infectious diseases, mental health concerns, and low birth weight infants

3 Demographics Population – 59,179 Births / Year Schools - 25 Students – 8,718 Seniors – 7,309 Aboriginal Population  15% Non-English speaking – 30%

4 Eastwood Boundaries Existing Site 7919–118 Ave New Location – 79 Street

5 Eastwood Health Measures 2000 Report Maternal Child Health  Teen Mothers 59.2/1,000 – Eastwood 21.8/1,000 – Capital Health  Low Birth Weight Rate 8.9/100 – Eastwood 6.2/100 – Capital Health  Infant Death Rate 7.9/1,000 – Eastwood 6.0/1,000 – Capital Health

6 Eastwood Health Measures Immunization Rates – 2004  4 month olds Eastwood – 90% Capital Health – 93%  15 month olds Eastwood – 82% Capital Health – 89%  24 month olds Eastwood – 90% Capital Health – 94%

7 Current Eastwood Public Health Centre  Programs and Services to: New Moms and Babes – Home Visits, Parent Groups. Preschool Children – Clinics, Speech Therapy, Dental Program.

8 Current Eastwood Public Health Centre  Programs and Services to: School Children – Immunizations, Learning Assessments, Speech Therapy, Dental Prevention Seniors – Flu Clinics, Home Visits, Health Clinics at Seniors Centres

9 Proposed New Programs  Urgent Care Medical Clinic  Community Medicine Practice  Home Care  Communicable Disease Clinic  Specialty Clinics for: Children Chronically ill  Community Rehabilitative Services  Cultural enhancement

10 Formal Consultation Process - Multilayered Phase I May 28, 2004  Process began May 28, Capital Health sent letter to Edmonton Public Schools confirming interest in purchasing the School property  June 17, 2004 to June 5, 2005 – Seven Information meetings were held with Community League Executives City Councilors Business Association Leaders

11 Formal Consultation Process Phase II  October 19, 2005 – February 3, 2006 – Seven additional meetings held with: City of Edmonton Councilors and Mayor’s office Community Action Program Condo Association MLA Community League Executives

12 Formal Consultation Process Phase III  February 8, 2006 – June 12, 2006 First official community meeting. 115 community residents attended. Mail drop to all households’ ads in community newspapers.  February 27, 2006 – First Design Workshop with the community, design charette Issues - use of former school, parking, and green space 60 local residents attended Mail out to 30,000 households, ads in community papers  April 4, 2006 – Second Design Workshop. 40 community residents attended. Invitations were sent out to 30,000 households, ads in community papers

14 Formal Consultation Process  June 12, 2006 – Meeting with the City of Edmonton Mayor, Chief of Staff, and Councilors – update  June 12, 2006 – Third Design Workshop  Design sketches:  retain the school,  use of underground parking,  maximize green space and save trees  20 local residents attended. 30,000 household mail drop

15 Formal Consultation Process  Set up website for questions  Sign on the site to invite community to meetings Phase IV  December 2006 – Presentation to City Council  March 2007 – Presentation to Suburban Development Approval Board – Approved Permit

16 Outcomes from Consultation  Retain and refit school and join it to the new building by pedway.  Requested Alberta Government cover additional funding to build full underground parkade for staff – approved  All above ground parking – dedicated for clients  Retained trees and monitored their health. Replaced trees which expired during construction process  Green grass maintained and growing above underground parkade  No needle exchange on site  No Methadone Clinic  No forensic psychiatry

17 Cultural Considerations  Hired Architects who have facilitated community consultations and worked with Aboriginal Communities  Aboriginal Community – 15% of population  New Canadians – 15% of population  Created a Cultural Committee

18 Design Decisions  Design decisions coming from Aboriginal Elders and Multicultural representatives Created a separate “Circular Gathering Room” for ceremonies and spiritual events – mats and couches for sweet grass ceremonies Created a circular waiting room on the main floor of the building Set up a separate office near building entrance for Aboriginal and Cultural workers Use natural light, rock, and water when possible

19 Design Decisions Continued Paint directions on the floor of building near entrance Create art and display boxes for Aboriginal and other cultural displays in waiting room Paint the wall 4 specific colours to reflect the 4 directions Erect a Teepee on the grounds during Spring and Summer

20 QUESTIONS?