KO Nursing

​KO Health Services coordinates the delivery of community-based projects and administers regional health programming and services for Keewaytinook Okimakanak communities. Health Services works in collaboration with the KO Health Advisory Committee (KOHAC) and the member First Nation health staff to support capacity building and ongoing formalized training. Health services include crisis intervention, mental health counselling and holistic care, home and community care, Indian Residential School Survivor program, and liaison with regional health partners and patient services in Red Lake.

The KO Health Advisory Committee provides leadership and input into KO health services planning. KOHAC enables KO Health Services to respond to unique community needs
quickly and effectively.

KO Nursing Services

Nurses working in KO transferred communities provide the main point of contact between community members requiring associated medical services and the greater health care system. Currently, Deer Lake First Nation has transferred nursing services from the Federal Government to the KO Tribal Council. This has been a success since April 3 2018. Since then, the nursing station has been increased from a four nurse station to a six nurse station.

KO Nursing continues to develop plans to transfer other KO communities should they wish to do so.  We  look forward to working with them in this endeavour. Once the leadership gives the green light, the transfers will occur in a staggered approach in order to give the community close support during this transition. 

What do Community Nurses do?

Community Nurses provide primary health care in KO communities at health centres and/or nursing stations, nurses might be:

• Conducting well baby clinics;
• Providing immunizations;
• Encouraging physical activity;
• Facilitating community education sessions;
• Providing primary care services for chronic disease management during scheduled clinics; and
• Attending to emergency needs (for example: trauma, obstetrical emergencies, acute illness and cardiac conditions).

Providing Primary Care

As there is limited access to hospitals and doctors, nurses in KO communities often provide care that requires advanced knowledge, skills and clinical judgment. Community nurses use a holistic, culturally appropriate approach to care for clients requiring treatment for routine, acute and emergency health problems, focusing on:

• Clinical assessment;
• Health promotion;
• Disease prevention; and
• Illness management.

Nurses working in KO communities are responsible for planning and implementing culturally appropriate health programs.

"Working together to improve the overall health and wellbeing ‘Menoyawin’ in KO Communities"