Health Labrador operational review released

Elizabeth Marshall, Minister of Health and Community Services, and Jim Farrell, Chair of the Health Labrador Corporation, today released an operational review of the Health Labrador Corporation that was completed earlier this year by Deloitte and Touche.

"I am pleased to report that the review has found that Health Labrador Corporation operates reasonably efficiently relative to other organizations facing similar challenges," said Minister Marshall. "The report identifies areas where additional resources are needed and we take seriously our role in working with the board and other stakeholders to respond to these challenges."

"While the board has an accumulated deficit, we feel we are operating efficiently given the challenges we face with respect to our geography and diverse population," said Mr. Farrell. "We are using the findings of this report to help us to refocus our work to ensure we are meeting the health needs of the people of Labrador."

Key findings of the report include:

• There are opportunities to improve efficiency and productivity in health facilities.
  
  
• Some areas within Health Labrador Corporation are understaffed; these include community clinics, diagnostic imaging, pharmaceutical services and child, youth and family services.
  
  
• Health Labrador Corporation needs to strengthen its regional focus in the delivery of health services.
  
  
• There are opportunities to enhance partnerships with the aboriginal population with respect to the devolution of health services.
  
  
• To enhance its recruitment and retention abilities, Health Labrador Corporation will need to make capital investment in remote communities.
  

Minister Marshall indicated that the recommendations found in the report will be given due consideration over the coming months as part of government�s budgetary process and in the context of the results of the external financial review. We will continue to work with Health Labrador to determine how best to address the findings of the operational review. "We will be working with the board and our federal counterparts to address the recommendations contained in the report, specifically where there is an identified need for additional resources," said Minister Marshall.

Health Labrador Corporation has implemented a number of recommendations outlined in the report specifically in the areas of regional and administrative structure, training and development and recruitment of staff. The corporation will continue to work with the provincial government and other stakeholders to address its challenges.

Health Labrador Corporation is one of only two integrated health boards in Newfoundland and Labrador. It provides a full range of acute, long-term care and community services to the people of Labrador.

A copy of the report is available at //www.gov.nl.ca/health/publications/

Media contact:
          Boyd Rowe, CEO, Health Labrador Corporation, (709) 897-2350
          Gail Tucker, Communications, Health and Community Services, (709) 729-2788

2003 12 12                                       11:15 a.m.