Primary health care is typically a person’s first point of contact with the health-care system. It includes a range of community-based services essential to maintaining and improving health and well-being throughout an individual’s entire lifespan. Primary health care ensures people receive comprehensive care as close as possible to their everyday environment.
Primary health care includes services that promote health and wellness, prevent illness, treat health issues or injuries, and diagnose and manage chronic health conditions. It can include interactions with providers such as counsellors, family doctors, occupational therapists, pharmacists, social workers, and others. It is rooted in the recognition of the fundamental right to the highest attainable standard of health.
The main principles of primary health care are:
- Access to services;
- Active public participation;
- Health promotion and chronic disease management;
- Prevention and management;
- Use of appropriate technology for better health and
- Sectors and groups working together.
Community health services
The goal of Community health is to support individuals and their families living in the community who need additional care and professional services to manage an illness. The support provided by this program helps individuals avoid admission to a healthcare facility or reduce the length of their stay in the hospital.
Community health services can include: acute care services and post-acute care follow up, assessment for personal care home and long term care placement, chronic disease prevention and management, home support services, palliative and end of life care, and wound care.
Community supports program
The Community supports program (CSP) is based on the belief that individuals have a right to live in the community and have access to required supportive services.
The services provided under the CSP focus on supporting individuals, families and care providers by promoting independence, community inclusion, safety and overall well-being, in keeping with Eastern Health’s vision of “Healthy People, Healthy Communities.”
Services provided under the CSP include: financial assessment services, home support program, intervention services, residential services programs, special assistance program, special child welfare allowance and supports for adults who may need protection.
Referrals to the CSP can be made by the individual or their family, as well as a health care professional. The professional CSP team will determine eligibility for service.