About Us

Island Health provides health and care services across Vancouver Island and surrounding communities, on the unceded and traditional territories of the Coast Salish, Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw, and Nuu-chah-nulth Peoples.
 

We recognize that care has not always been safe or fair for everyone and we are working to change that. Since the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) report, Island Health and all BC health authorities have committed to making care more culturally safe and respectful. We are improving how we plan services, make decisions, and support our care teams. This is ongoing work, and we are committed to learning, listening, and taking action.

Declaration of Commitment

Declaration of Commitment

Cultural Safety is a process and an outcome based on respectful engagement that recognizes and strives to address power imbalances inherent in the health care system. Senator Murray Sinclair, Chair of the Truth and Reconciliation 2015 Report (TRC) defined systemic racism as

"when the system itself is based upon and founded upon racist beliefs and philosophies and thinking and has put in place policies and practices that literally force even the non-racists to act in a racist way."

Island Health is aware of the importance of deepening our understanding of systemic racism so we can actively address health inequities. The generational colonial beliefs and attitudes that created Indian Hospitals, Reserves, Day Schools, the foster-care system and residential schools continue to this day.

Since the release of the TRC Report, Island Health, along with all BC health authorities, signed the Declaration of Commitment to embed cultural safety and humility into the delivery of all health and care services. Island Health is committed to this ongoing learning journey to remove systemic racism through policy, process and procedure changes as well as increase awareness and capacity for staff, physicians, volunteers, contractors and students to create culturally safe engagement and environments.

Our vision is to provide excellent health and care for everyone, everywhere, every time.

Anti-Racism & Discrimination Statement

Island Health’s Position on Racism & Discrimination

At Island Health, we acknowledge that colonization, systemic racism and discrimination have created conditions where Indigenous, Black, and People of Color (IBPOC), persons with disabilities, and the 2SLGBTQIA+ community face disproportionate health inequities. We are dedicated to advancing equitable and inclusive healthcare systems, programs, and service delivery. We explicitly recognize the significant harm and impact of colonization and racism on Indigenous Peoples. Island Health is committed to addressing Indigenous-specific systemic, structural, and interpersonal biases within our structures and processes. All organizational leaders will be held accountable to actively promote anti-racism, cultural safety, and humility.

The cumulative effects of racist and discriminatory policies, practices, and procedures have led to significant health disparities, unsafe access to care, worsening health outcomes, and lower life expectancy for affected populations, especially Indigenous Peoples. Island Health considers this a serious public health threat that demands immediate intervention and action.

We recognize the need for timely, consistent, and ongoing organizational progress on these issues. Everyone has the right to work and receive health care in a safe, anti-racist, and discrimination-free environment. Island Health will use this position statement to guide all strategic and operational planning.

Island Health is dedicated to improving the health, well-being, and experiences of everyone who interacts with the health care system. We are committed to unlearning, understanding, and acting in ways that promote anti-racist and anti-discriminatory approaches and address white privilege. At Island Health, we have zero tolerance for racist and discriminatory conduct. Our collective goal is to identify and address systemic and interpersonal barriers to mitigate the harm perpetuated by privilege and racism, and create the conditions that foster safety and belonging. Everyone is welcome here.