Government forging ahead with new Strategic Health Plan

Julie Bettney, Minister of Health and Community Services, said government is moving ahead with the development of a new Strategic Health Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador. Development of the health plan is currently underway for release in the spring of 2002. Budget 2002 contains new measures which support the directions which will be embodied in the plan.

"We must continue to make new investments in our health and community services system," said Minister Bettney. "Our efforts are directed towards improving the overall health and well-being of the population, as well as improving the quality, accessibility and sustainability of services."

The total funding allocated for the Department of Health and Community Services in Budget 2002 is approximately $1.5 billion. Since 1996-1997 government has consistently invested new money into health and community services. It has meant a 46 per cent increase in funding.

"When I conducted the consultation process on the health system last fall I quite clearly heard that we have to live within our means," said Minister Bettney. "There is a realization that we can have a quality health system that will meet the needs of the people of this province within our existing fiscal framework."

A significant component of the new plan will include a focus on wellness, a message Minister Bettney heard clearly during last year�s consultation process. In Budget 2002, government has allocated $1.1 million to support the department�s Wellness Strategy which will include expansion of the breast screening and cervical screening programs and a renewed commitment to the provincial tobacco strategy.

The minister further stated that the promotion of primary health care in the province is vital to sustaining the publicly-funded health and community services system into the future. In Budget 2002, Government is committing $2.5 million to support the development and implementation of a provincial primary health care strategy.

"These are areas where we know we can have significant impact on people�s health with early intervention and prevention," said Minister Bettney. "I am pleased we are able to move forward in this direction."

Minister Bettney said the Strategic Health Plan will be complemented with the Health Charter announced in the 2002 Throne Speech. The Health Charter will provide clear commitments to individuals on accessibility to quality health care. Additional details will be announced as part of the strategic plan.

Other initiatives being announced by government today which support the strategic directions in the upcoming health plan include:

• investments in information and communications technology, such as the new system to send radiology images online between health facilities;
  
• investments in medical equipment, such as ultrasounds, x-ray and fluroscopy, to improve the quality of diagnostic testing and improve efficiency;
  
• constructing a new mental health short stay unit to fill an important gap in the mental health services system;
  
• increasing the enrolment of student nurses to ensure a stable nursing workforce in the future; and,
  
• expanding the capacity of the public health laboratories to respond to the increased demand for water testing which helps protect general public health.

Government continues to make significant investments into the base budgets of the health and community services boards. Over the past six years investment has increased by $427 million.

"We will provide the 10 regional institutional and integrated health boards with $5 million in Budget 2002 to address inflation and the growth in utilization of select services such as dialysis," said Minister Bettney. "The government expects boards to continue the improved financial performance witnessed last year and balance their budgets in 2002-2003 within the increased level of funding which is being provided.

"At one point last year we were facing a deficit of $20 million on institutional board services," said Minister Bettney. "I am pleased to say that we now estimate that deficit will be between $3 - 4 million. I congratulate the boards and their employees for this tremendous effort."

Minister Bettney also referenced the operational review of the Health Care Corporation of St. John�s. She expects this report to contribute substantially to the momentum already apparent within the corporation towards financial stability and improved efficiency.

"Government will continue to closely monitor the financial operations of our health boards to ensure they stay on the right track," the minister stated. "We will support these boards in their efforts to achieve efficiencies and to improve services."

Minister Bettney said much discussion and debate about the health system, not only in this province but across Canada, will continue this year particularly as the Romanow Commission makes its way across the country and presents its final report in November.

"I look forward to presenting to the Romanow Commission when it comes to St. John�s next month. I will make it clear to the commission how we are addressing the challenges in our system and I will renew our call for the federal government to increase its funding levels," said Minister Bettney. "We are ensuring we run the most effective and efficient system. We ask the federal government to contribute its fair share."

Media contact: Carmel Turpin, Communications, (709) 729-1377.

2002 03 21                              3:10 p.m.