Comprehensive Primary Health Care
What is primary health care?
The World Health Organization
(Alma-Ata 1978) defines Primary Health Care as:
"Essential health care based on practical, scientifically sound and socially acceptable methods and technology made universally accessible to individuals and families in the community through their full participation and at a cost that the community and country can afford to maintain at every stage of their development in the spirit of self-reliance and self-determination. It forms an integral part both of the country's health system, of which it is the central function and main focus, and of the overall social and economic development of the community. It is the first level of contact of individuals, the family and the community with the national health system bringing health care as close as possible to where people live and work, and constitutes the first element of a continuing health care process."
Goals
There are several goals to the provision of primary
health care:
- To improve continuity of care - providing a smooth, seamless transition through the health care system with consistent care providers
- To provide comprehensive and coordinated care - offering a wide range of health programs and services linked together to efficiently and effectively meet your health care needs
- To improve accessibility to high quality health care and health services - bringing acceptable health care closer to home
- To empower and build capacity - of individuals, families and the community to take ownership for our current status of health and to take steps towards building a healthier Prince Edward County
Primary Health Care Services
The Prince Edward Family Health Team offers many primary health care services including:- Consultation
- Assessment
- Prevention and treatment of diseases and injuries by family doctors and nurse practitioners Emergency room services
- Referrals to specialists
- Chronic Disease Management
- Rehabilitation services
- Mental Health Care
- Diabetes Education
- Palliative Care
- Maternity, newborn and child health care
- Advice from a pharmacist
- After hours telephone health advisory service
- Community Health Promotion
For a list of our Primary Health Care Providers and their contact information click here