Celebrating How Far We’ve Come
History: How we got here
Ten years ago, on Thursday July 10, 2010, after a three-year process, historic resolutions were signed in Moosonee, Ontario confirming commitment to integrate the provincial James Bay General Hospital and the federal Weeneebayko Health Ahtuskaywin into the new Weeneebayko Area Health Authority (WAHA).
This historic event involved corporation and collaboration among leadership of the NE LHIN, the Boards, the Chiefs of the Hudson, and James Bay communities as well as the Federal, Provincial and Municipal government. Resolutions by the three hospital boards – Weeneebayko Health Ahtuskaywin, James Bay General Hospital, and WAHA – confirm their commitment to continue with integration by way of the North East LHIN’s Voluntary Integration process.
The goal was to have the integration completed by October 1, 2010. This integration of hospital programs and services will improve the quality, accessibility, delivery, effectiveness, efficiency, and cultural appropriateness of health care services in communities along the Hudson and James Bay Coast.
The new WAHA will ensure better coordination of federal and provincial programs and services, as well as improve the use of health professionals, facilities, and equipment.
Now, ten years later, WAHA: Congratulations on reaching this milestone. Your growth has afforded 10 years of dedicated service to our partners in the James and Hudson Bay region.
Also, Congratulations to Weeneebayko General Hospital. You are in your 70th year of administering care to our people.
We are approaching a full complement of full-time physicians, we have a CT Scanner, added specialty clinics, vision screening, and increased our strategic partnerships across the board. WAHA- You have much to be proud of.
What does the future hold for WAHA in the next 10 years?
WAHA, our future is bright: We can look forward to a new regional health campus in Moosonee and an ambulatory care centre in Moose Factory.
This will allow WAHA to expand our health promotion and capacity building programs, better accommodate our primary health care services, and enable us to fulfill our mission to provide optimum heath care as close to home as possible.