Women's Health Centre
Hours of operationMonday-Friday 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Phone: (306) 332-2673 for appointment
*Walk-ins also Welcome*
Fax: (306) 332-2677
Services provided include:
- Well women care
- Pre and postnatal care
- Cervical screening (pap smear)
- Counseling and prescribing of birth control
- Testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections
- Liaison/referral with other health care professionals
Care provided by:
Stella DeVenney, RN, Nurse Practitioner
Dr. Heidi Ingram, Family Physician
Tradition and Spirituality
Incorporating First Nations' culture, the hospital is built as a circle and rectangles connected at the main entrance. The elements of Fire, Earth, Wind and Water are evident throughout the facility. At the entrance you are greeted by a warm fireplace. Behind the fireplace, a waterfall flows to a dry river bed that also provides an overflow for rain water. Programs and health services are focused on using First Nation healing traditions and practices. For all First Nations people, healing can best be described in the terms "a Culture as Healing". Health is defined as "living your life in balance according to the natural laws of the Creator". You definitely feel the spiritual healing atmosphere as soon as you enter the hospital.Management and Funding
A hospital board, comprised of 8 First Nations representatives and 3-5 Municipal representatives, is nominated by local Municipal governments and appointed by the 16 First Nation Owners. The Board provides policy and governance direction to the management staff of the facility. Recently, all services (with the exception of the Cultural program) have been moved under 1 consistent administration provided by Marian Zerr, Director of the All Nations' Healing Hospital and FHQ Health Services. The Director of Client Services, Lorna Breitkreuz, manages all nursing staff within both acute care and community services in the facility. The Cultural program is managed by Joan Bellegarde, Executive Director of FHQTC.The hospital cost more than $12 million to construct and furnish; funded by the federal and provincial governments, the FHQTC and the hospital's fundraising committee. Although the hospital receives the majority of its funding from the local Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region, Transfer Agreement funds from Health Canada (as part of a Shared Entities Agreement between the TAlC & FHQTC) provide significant funding to assist with the operation of acute care services in the facility. Community Health and Healing Centre Services are funded specifically from the federal government, through the FHQTC. Donations are graciously accepted and sincerely appreciated.
The Cultural Program
The Cultural Program promotes sharing and understanding of First Nation culture and its philosophies. It assists First Nations people in continuing the traditions of oral teachings, and ensures the opportunity to integrate First Nations philosophies, beliefs and healing ways into a clinical setting. Within the FHQTC and the TATC are people who represent four main Nations -the Cree Nation, the Saulteaux Nation, the Dakota Nation and the Nakoda Nation.On request, ceremonies are available to clients in the hospital and their families, and to clients in the community. An elder is available within the Centre, or clients may choose to bring their own ceremonialist to the Centre. Protocols, such as Elders only sitting in the chairs, were developed by the Program Manager in consultation with Elders from the four Nations represented within the 16 First Nation owners. On a weekly basis, the Elder Helper assists in hosting sweats for women, men and youth in the Winter Lodge, located just outside the facility. Four medicines are used the facility for smudging purposes only: sweet grass, tobacco, sage and cedar. An Elders Suite, a separate suite with a bedroom, full kitchen and washroom, is used for the comfort of visiting Elders.
One of the most interesting new initiatives is Tele-Health. This service has just recently been put in place - using leading-edge videoconferencing equipment for new services, better education opportunities for staff and better on-site support for local physicians. This was funded by the Federal government, with the promise of technical access from Sask Health and the Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region.