“Culturally sensitive” patient home rejected

OTTAWA — The Baffin Regional Health and Social Services Board (BRHSSB) rejected a proposal for a 19-bed boarding facility for Inuit medical patients staying in Ottawa.

The proposal, put forward by Larga Ltd., was to have been more “culturally sensitive” than the Rotel facility currently being used for Inuit out-patients.

Katrin Smith, the president of Ottawa Health Services Network Inc. (OHSNI), told BRHSSB members the proposal would cost $200,000 more than the current arrangement the board has with OHSNI and Rotel, and would house fewer patients.

She said it would also create a two-tiered care system. OHSNI has a contract with BRHSSB to co-ordinate health services for NIHB patients in Ottawa.

Larga operates a patient accommodation facility called Larga House in Edmonton.