Services thin on the ground: welcome to BC\u27s north

The restructuring of service delivery systems is a feature of British Columbia since the 1980s. This restructuring in rural and small town places exacerbates challenges already faced by residents and service providers. This paper examines the connections between the New Emerging Team for Health in Rural and Northern British Columbia (NETHRN-BC) (Hanlon & Halseth) and Warmth of Welcome projects (Nolin & Halseth). The purpose of the NETHRNBC project is to explore the social determinants of rural health. The UNBC component of this research examines formal and informal care networks for individuals and households under stress. Preliminary findings suggest that: (1) service reduction results from restructuring; (2) the voluntary structure in rural communities is unstable, and; (3) there is a growing reliance on partnerships within service provision.The Warmth of Welcome research project examines the immigration and settlement process, social and economic integration, and retention experiences of immigrants and refugees in northern British Columbia. Immigrant settlement patterns and experiences have implications for the delivery of employment, education, health, and other services. Settlement patterns in rural and small city regions are also important factors to consider because of limited services availability. Upon review of the key themes from the NETHRN-BC project for 2005 and 2006 and the Warmth of Welcome project, it is apparent that: (1) access to care services is difficult for northern residents; and (2) access to care services is exacerbated for new immigrants because of language, mobility, and lack of specific services