The purpose of this policy is to support access to Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH) services and programs for patrons with uncertain or no immigration status and/or who fear detention, psychological and physical harm, or deportation, when accessing services. The policy enables these patrons to use services knowing that the personal information provided is held in trust by CNH. It is our aim that the transparency of data collection and privacy will enable patrons to access services without fear that CNH will provide information about their immigration status to other institutions or orders of government unless required by law or contractual obligation.

This policy applies only to services provided by CNH and is consistent with our core values of inclusion and safety for all residents.

To access our Access Without Fear Policy, please click here (PDF).

CNH will endeavour to do everything possible to lessen the risk staff, volunteers and participants face when they enter one of our facilities. CNH will also offer advice and training so that everybody understands what they can do for themselves to stay healthy.

This Communicable Disease Prevention Plan will guide CNH in implementing health and safety measures so that staff can work safely. It will assist CNH in setting policies and procedures to ensure staff feel safe working during and after the pandemic.

To access our Communicable Disease Prevention Plan, please click here.

The Collingwood Neighbourhood House (CNH) Formal Complaint policy and procedure is a way for clients, program participants, partner agencies, volunteers, or practicum students (non-staff) to report concerns regarding CNH programs, policies, services, or staff, and work towards a resolution. The dedicated leadership team and front-line staff at CNH take stakeholders’ complaints seriously and see them as an opportunity to grow and improve our practices.

As of October 2022: Province-wide restrictions have lifted. Wearing masks in public indoor settings is not required by public health. Wearing a mask is a personal choice. Masks are encouraged, but not required when participating in any of our programs unless otherwise specified*. Proof of vaccination is also not required for participating in CNH programs. For questions about programs, please call 604-435-0323.

*Medical masks are still required in health care settings, please wear a medical mask at RISE Community Health Centre. Our front desk staff will offer you a medical mask if you do not have one. If you are booked for an in-person appointment, we encourage you to:

• Self-monitor for any communicable diseases (i.e. COVID-19 symptoms)
• Notify RISE CHC of any changes in your health prior to coming into the health centre.
• If possible and appropriate, change your appointment to a virtual/phone instead of in-person if you have active signs and symptoms of a communicable disease (such as COVID-19)

RISE CHC will continue to offer phone and/or video appointments as needed or requested.

Health concerns

For anybody who may be feeling sick and are concerned they may be infected by the Coronavirus, please call your primary healthcare provider, 8-1-1 or the COVID-19 hotline at 1-833-784-4397.

For further information, please visit the BC Centre for Disease Control or the Government of Canada.

Preventing the spread of COVID-19

We urge everyone to take precautions and do their best to reduce the risk of spreading illness, such as:

• Physical distancing. Avoid non-essential travel outside your home, and large gatherings. When you are outside of your home, minimize your contact with others through physical distancing by keeping 2 meters apart.
• Washing hands often with soap or use of alcohol-based sanitizer
• Cough and sneeze into your arm
• Avoid touching your face
• Cleaning frequently used spaces, surfaces and objects (kitchens, common areas, dining areas, desks, shared sleeping spaces, doorknobs, and faucets)
• Stay home when sick

We hope that with all of us working together, we will maintain our community’s health. For more information on COVID-19, please visit the BC Centre for Disease Control.

RISE Community Health Centre operates within Collingwood Neighborhood House Society (CNH). BC’s Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) sets out rules for how organizations collect, use and disclose personal information. This act applies to the information that RISE Community Health Centre (CHC) collects about the clients for whom we provide care.

As a team, we foster a culture of privacy, and work in compliance with PIPPA. RISE CHC and CNH are committed to being accountable for how we handle personal information, as well as how we follow the rules and procedures outlined in our policy.

To access the RISE Community Health Centre Privacy Policy, please click here (PDF).

The pharmacy at RISE Community Health Centre (CHC) sits within Collingwood Neighborhood House Society (CNH). BC’s Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) sets out rules for how organizations collect, use and disclose personal information. This act applies to the information that RISE CHC Pharmacy collects about the patients who fill prescriptions here.

As a team, we foster a culture of privacy, and work in compliance with PIPA and the College of Pharmacists of BC (CPBC). RISE CHC Pharmacy and CNH are committed to being accountable for how we handle personal information, as well as how we follow the rules and procedures outlined in this policy.

To access the RISE CHC Pharmacy Privacy Policy, please click here (PDF).