Miawpukek is the only First Nation community on the island portion of Newfoundland and Labrador, located 2 hours drive from Grand Falls-Windsor, 2.5 hours from Gander, and 6.5 hours from St. John’s.

The Miawpukek Band Government has been delivering health services for the community of Conne River since 1975. In 1984, the Miawpukek Band gained Reserve Status; and until 1991, health services were delivered under a contribution funding agreement with Health Canada.

Mission

Conne River Health and Social Services is responsible for the design and delivery of a full range of community-based programs that enhance the awareness and provide for the continuing care of the members of the Miawpukek First Nation. This is accomplished through a range of health and social programming including:

• Health promotion
• Health protection
• Continuing care
• Social work
• Child care
• Mental health
• Addictions

Conne River Health and Social Services, in response to the health and social needs of the Miawpukek community, designs, and implements the most effective and efficient programs and services possible.

• Daily walk-in clinical nursing services are provided Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm.
• The clinical nurse is responsible for assessing any individual presenting at the clinic. Once the patient is assessed at the walk-in clinic she must do one of two things:
  1. She consults with the doctor on-call at the Bay d’Espoir Medical Center;
  2. or if the complaint is within her nursing scope of practice, she provides advice.
• The mandate of this program is to ensure all community members have access to daily clinical nursing services to deal with health conditions and issues.
• Service provision is always on a priority basis. Community members are seen based on the severity of their presenting health complaint. Emergencies always take priority during the daily walk-in nursing clinic and after hours emergency services.
• CRHSS currently have 2 nurse practitioners (NP’s) on staff, one of which is
  contract while another clinical nurse is doing training.
• This plan adheres to the provincial plan to train nurses as nurse Practitioners to work in rural areas of Newfoundland & Labrador.
• CRHSS provides a weekly nutritional supplement program for community members.
• The mandate of this program is to ensure community members assessed as being deficient with their nutritional intake receive one nutritious meal six days a week. Sundays are left for family and other community supports (home support worker provides meal if needed).
• Funding for the nutrition program is included with CRHSS’ Health Transfer Agreement.