Mission Statement

Our Vision

We commit ourselves to a health care system which honours the interrelatedness of life, respects the religious values and spiritual traditions of British Columbians and promotes an integrated and holistic approach to health and health services within the context of the religious values of compassion and justice, as well as the five principles enshrined in the Canada Health Act.

Our Guiding Principles

1. Life at all stages is sacred. It must be accorded sanctity and dignity as we believe it is created in the image of God. It is a primary and fundamental good of the human person.

2. Health care is a meeting between trust and conscience -- the trust of one who is ill and suffering, and hence in need, who entrusts him or herself to the conscience of another who can help him in his need. The touchstone of this conscience, for a denominational facility, is a faith in God.

3. Health is holistic. It is integral to community and comprises physical, mental, social and spiritual elements in a dynamic relationship.

4. Our approach is to witness by our actions. We respect the rights of others to hold their own beliefs.

5. We support standards that are uniform as a part of the health care delivery systems. Standards of service rather than governance of providers should be the operative philosophy.

6. Methods of containing and controlling costs are an essential element of provincial health policy.

7. We will promote spiritual and mental health as well as physical health.

8. The principle of a better ordering of a human society is critical. Social justice offers the principle of subsidiary in which problems are addressed at the most immediate level assuring efficiency and the empowerment of people. It also recognizes that, at times, problems are of such magnitude that they can only be addressed at the highest level of government.

Values that Constitute Denominational Identity in Health Care

Health Care is a Ministry

To the Community - The primary concern for Denominational Health Care is to identify the needs of the community and to respond in a way that advances the community's overall health status. Denominational Health Care recognizes that this is better achieved through collaboration than competition, through seeking to influence rather than control. Denominational Health Care accepts that its responsibility to society goes beyond providing health care. Through its hiring practices, financial activities and public policy advocacy, it seeks to contribute to the common good with special attention paid to the needs of the poor and disadvantaged.

Denominational Health Care takes its direction from those values rooted in the religious traditions that are important for a better ordering of society. The principles and techniques used in the delivery of health care must be constant with the goals and values of Denominational Health Care.

To the Individuals Served - Denominational Health Care believes that basic health care is a fundamental right of all people and is committed to working for public policies that will ensure access for all to basic care on an equal basis. Denominational Health Care shows special attention to those who are poor or disadvantaged because of their vulnerability and takes special steps to ensure that they are treated in a way that respects their dignity. The care provided to all people by Denominational Health Care is compassionate and of a high quality. It is holistic care, addressing the physical, emotional, intellectual, social and spiritual needs of the person. Steps are taken to encourage and assist individuals in taking responsibility for their own health.

To its Employees - There is a recognition that a sense of ministry likewise extends to those employed by Denominational Health Care - this sense of the ministry respects people's dignity by:

a) developing a work environment that promotes trust, co-operation, participation and innovation and encourages people to realize their full potential,

b) empowering people to be responsible and accountable for their work,

c) treating everyone fairly in all aspects of employment and seeking proactively to promote a diversity of staff and to demonstrate concern for the poor and

d) inviting people to be committed to the values of Denominational Health Care and to collaborate in its mission to contribute to the better ordering of human society.