September 14, 1999
(Health and Community Services)

Health ministers announce primary health care project for three rural areas

Federal Health Minister Allan Rock and Joan Marie Aylward, Newfoundland and Labrador Health and Community Services Minister today provided an update for a project that received $2.2 million under the federal Health Transition fund. The project, which began earlier this year, aims to improve the health of people who live in three rural communities in the province, through the establishment of primary health care centres.

Primary health care is the care provided at the first level of contact with the health system, where people first enter the system and services are mobilized and coordinated to promote health, prevent illness, care for common illness, and manage ongoing health problems.

The Primary Health Care Enhancement Project uses interdisciplinary teams and collaborative approaches between various groups of health professionals to deliver health care services appropriate to the needs of the communities. The collaborative approach is also expected to create a more supportive environment for health professionals working in rural communities. The project takes place in the communities of Port aux Basques and Twillingate on the island, and Happy Valley-Goose Bay in Labrador, and is managed by the provincial Department of Health and Community Services.

"Primary care is the foundation of our health care system, so it is important that we make the right kind of changes," said Minister Rock.

"By identifying what works and what does not from real cases, health planners will be able to make informed decisions that will help to revitalize Canada's health care system."

"This announcement is all about people working in partnerships," said Minister Aylward. "Governments working together with communities to identify needs, and health providers working together as a team demonstrates a positive direction which will improve primary health care throughout our province and our country."

The Health Transition Fund was established by the federal government in 1997 in response to a recommendation by the National Forum on Health. It is designed to generate information and evidence on the organization, funding and delivery of health services in four priority areas - home care, pharmacare, primary care and integrated service delivery.

Evaluation results from projects will be shared with the provinces and territories. The fund provides $30 million to national level projects and $120 million to provincial and territorial projects allocated on a per capita basis.

Announcements about other national, provincial and territorial projects will be forthcoming.

Media contact:

Tracy Taweel,  Health Canada Communications, cell: (902) 483-1193
Glenn Bruce, Newfoundland Department of Health and Community Services, (709) 729-1377

Public inquires: (613) 957-2991

1999 09 14 4:05 p.m.