What do CHCs believe in?

Though every CHC varies somewhat in the services and programs they offer, all CHCs have the same basic beliefs and have made similar commitments. All CHCs are committed to:

→ Providing accessible services:

Community Health Centres make special efforts to serve individuals who have a higher risk of ill health or have difficulty gaining access to appropriate healthcare due to language or cultural barriers, physical disabilities, poverty, isolation or other special needs.

→ The empowerment of individuals and communities:

Community Health Centres encourage clients to take charge of their own health by providing them with accurate, easy to understand information so they can make health choices. Community Health Centres are active in community development projects and social action initiatives. Every CHC involves its clients directly in the centre's planning and operations - as program volunteers or as members of various committees.

→ Illness prevention and wellness:

Community Health Centres promote good health and prevent illness in a variety of ways. In addition to the provision of medical services and allied healthcare services (i.e. social work, chiropody and nutrition services), the Health Promotion Team helps clients, both individually and in groups, learn to identify their own health needs and available resources. This results in individuals and communities taking responsibility for their own health needs.

→ Thorough healthcare:

Community Health Centres consider the needs of the whole person in their programs and services. They take into account the physical, social, emotional and financial needs of their clients because health is affected by all of these aspects of living. Community Health Centres are available to do this through a multi-disciplinary team of professionals. Having staff with a variety of qualifications working closely under one roof helps in coordinating the services needed by clients.

CHCs take the time to familiarize themselves about other community resources so they can help people find the most appropriate services to meet their needs.