Community Health
Services and programs that focus on prevention, education and awareness on a variety of health issues
We aim to offer information and services that complement services through Northern Health that meet the needs of the Old Massett community. We also aim to facilitate access to quality and timely diagnosis, care, treatment and social supports.
Services Offered Include:
Communicable diseases
Communicable diseases are illnesses that spread between people and can also spread through food, water and animals. We aim to help stop the spread of illness in Old Massett through planning for communicable disease emergencies, education, vaccination and timely treatment and management of illness when it shows up. Some illnesses we prepare for include:
RSV
Influenza
COVID19
Measles
Immunization
Vaccination of community members is an important part of wellness. Vaccines prevent certain illnesses and can stop outbreaks of disease from happening. We offer vaccination to:
Babies and elders
Community members with chronic illnesses and other medical conditions
All other community members
We can also help to find immunization records, offer guidance on how to access the shingles vaccine and vaccines needed for travel.
Tuberculosis Services
Tuberculosis affects first nations communities more than the general population and we are here to support anyone affected with TB.
We offer:
Education about the illness
Help treat anyone with active or latent TB
Provide contact tracing and screening for TB.
Harm Reduction Supplies and Education
Niislaa Naay recognizes that people in community use substances that can increase the risk of illness both for people who use those substances and for those around them. Our harm reduction approach attempts to be non-judgemental, supportive and compassionate. We seek to reduce stigma around substance use and believe offering supplies helps to keep community members safer whether they continue to use substances or not. Harm reduction supplies are free and available for pick up at the Heath Centre and Wellness House to all community members.
Supplies are available for:
Safe injection
Safe inhalation
Safe sex
Safe snorting
Safe piercing kits
Naloxone kits
School Health Support for Chief Matthews School
The community health nurse is available to go into Chief Matthews School to provide education and support to students and staff around any health issue or concern. We attempt to be a resource for education such as:
Head lice and other common childhood conditions
Communicable disease
Body science
Emergency Preparedness and Communicable Disease Emergency Planning
Community health helps to prepare for environmental emergencies by pre planning, stocking emergency supplies and collaborating with other organizations to help ensure the safety and the continuation of health services should an environmental or communicable disease emergency occur.
Other Services Available:
Diabetes education and support
Foot care in collaboration with home care
Sexual health screening
Pregnancy tests
Community Health Hours:
Monday to Friday, 8:30AM - 4:30PM
Closed from 12-1PM for lunch
Community Health Nurse (CHN):
Shauna Smith RN, BScN
Phone number: 250-626-3911
Email address: shauna.smith@haidahealth.ca
Shauna has worked at Niislaa Naay for 19 years in a full time capacity as the community health nurse.
Last year, Shauna resigned from her full time position. She is now working as a casual employee with reduced hours.
While we attempt to provide timely services, there may be periods of time where a CHN is not available and you may be redirected to Public Health at Northern Health.
