Government transforms health boards� administrative structure

A new administrative structure for health and community services boards will provide better co-ordination and planning for the health needs of regions and reduce duplication, said Health and Community Services Minister Elizabeth Marshall today as the province unveiled its new health governance structure.

The current 14 health and community services boards will be transformed into four regional integrated health authorities (RIHA) � Eastern, Central, Western and Labrador-Grenfell � under the new model, with corporate headquarters located in St. John�s, Grand Falls-Windsor, Corner Brook and Happy Valley-Goose Bay, respectively.

"Creating fewer, more accountable health authorities is a necessary step in renewing our health and community services system and meeting client needs," said Minister Marshall. "Fewer regions mean less administration and more opportunity for collaboration. Integrated boards will have the ability to focus on the full continuum of care, from community care to acute and long-term care, resulting in better service for clients."

The new governance model implements government�s Blue Book and provincial Budget commitment to avoid unnecessary costs and create more efficient, smaller administrative structures.

"We currently have more administration than is required to support a province of just over 500,000 people," added Minister Marshall. "Restructuring the way in which we govern the delivery of health services will keep our investment where it�s needed most � in the delivery of appropriate care."

The new regional integrated health authorities will include the following:

• Eastern Health Authority: The Eastern region will incorporate the territory and services of the existing Health Care Corporation of St. John�s, Health and Community Services St. John�s, St. John�s Nursing Home Board, Newfoundland Cancer Treatment and Research Foundation, Health and Community Services Eastern, Avalon Health Care Institutions Board and the Peninsulas Health Care Corporation.
  
  
• Central Health Authority: The Central region will incorporate the territory and services of the existing Health and Community Services Central, Central West Health Corporation and Central East Health Care Institutions Board.
  
  
• Western Health Authority: The Western region will incorporate the territory and services of the existing Health and Community Services Western and Western Health Care Corporation.
  
  
• Labrador-Grenfell Health Authority: The Labrador-Grenfell region will incorporate the territory and services of the existing Health Labrador Corporation and Grenfell Regional Health Services Board.

"Transforming the structures through which health regions provide services does not reflect a change in current service levels," added Minister Marshall. "Greater collaboration and integration will make the most effective use of our resources and help sustain our ability to provide consistent, predictable quality care."

Government will work with existing boards and CEOs, who will remain in place throughout a transition period, to ensure continuity in health service delivery. Transition plans will be developed in consultation with existing boards to address the management structure of the new health authorities. Every effort will be made to maintain a stable work environment for health employees during the transition.

It is anticipated that the transfer of power to new regional integrated health authorities will take place in January 2005. Announcements concerning board membership and the selection process for CEOs will be made this fall.

Media contact: Carolyn Chaplin, Communications (709) 729-1377

BACKGROUNDER
Transforming Regional Integrated Health Authorities (RIHA)

The provincial budget announced government�s intention to integrate health governance structures. Restructuring provincial health boards will ensure Newfoundland and Labrador has the appropriate administrative structure for health service delivery. It does not change current service levels.

Other Canadian jurisdictions have recently moved to regionalized governance structures. In 2001, British Columbia moved from 52 to five regional authorities and one provincial health service authority responsible for specialized referral service. Saskatchewan went from 32 regions to 12 in 2002, and Alberta went from 17 to nine in 2003. Manitoba created 11 regional health authorities in 1997 and this summer Ontario announced its intention to create approximately 12 local health integration networks.

Newfoundland and Labrador has gradually been moving in this direction. In the 1970s-80s, the province had 50 single governing boards moving to 34 independent boards and 14 regional health boards in the 1990s.

BOUNDARIES

Eastern RIHA:

• The Eastern region will service a population base of 295,145.
• The catchment area includes the Avalon peninsula and extends west to Port Blandford inclusive, as well as the Burin and Bonavista Peninsulas.
• The Eastern RIHA will operate the following community-based services: health promotion, community corrections, health protection, child care services, mental health, intervention services, addictions services, community support programs, child, youth and family services, residential services and community health nursing.
• The Eastern RIHA will also operate medical clinics and 27 health facilities including � seven hospitals, six community health centres, 12 nursing homes, the Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Centre and the L.A. Miller Centre.
• Corporate headquarters will be located in St. John�s.

Central RIHA:

• The Central region will service a population base of 100,926.
• The catchment area will extend from Charlottetown (inclusive) in the east, Fogo Island in the northeast, Harbour Breton/Connaigre Peninsula in the south and the Baie Verte peninsula in the west.
• The Central RIHA will operate the following community-based services: health promotion, community corrections, health protection, child care services, mental health, intervention services, addictions services, community support programs, child, youth and family services, residential services and community health nursing.
• The Central RIHA will also operate medical clinics and 13 health facilities including � two hospitals, six community health centres and five nursing homes.
• Corporate headquarters will be located in Grand Falls-Windsor.

Western RIHA:

• The Western region will service a population base of 82,034.
• The catchment area will extend from Port aux Basques southeast to Francois and northwest to Bartlett�s Harbour and on the eastern boundary north to Jackson�s Arm.
• The Western RIHA will operate the following community-based services: health promotion, community corrections, health protection, child care services, mental health, intervention services, addictions services, community support programs, child, youth and family services, residential services and community health nursing.
• The Western RIHA will also operate medical clinics and nine health facilities including � two hospitals, four community health centres and three nursing homes.
• Corporate headquarters will be located in Corner Brook.

Labrador-Grenfell RIHA:

• The Labrador-Grenfell region will service a population base of 40,516.
• The catchment area will include the area north of Bartlett�s Harbour to Harbour Deep on the Northern Peninsula and all of Labrador.
• The Labrador-Grenfell RIHA will operate the following community-based services: health promotion, community corrections, health protection, child care services, mental health, intervention services, addictions services, community support programs, child, youth and family services, residential services and community health nursing.
• The Labrador-Grenfell RIHA will also operate 22 facilities including three hospitals, three community health centres, 14 community clinics/nursing stations and two nursing homes.
• Corporate headquarters will be located in Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

TRANSITION PHASE:

• The Department of Health and Community Services has contracted Ambrose Hearn, former provincial deputy minister of health in Newfoundland and Labrador and former CEO of several health care organizations in the province of Ontario, to assist with the transition process. Mr. Hearn will facilitate meetings with integrating boards in the coming weeks and assist the boards as they prepare for the transition of authority.
• Next steps include the selection of board chairs and members for the new regional authorities. The new boards will be representative of the region and include a blend of current and new membership.
• New chief executive officers (CEOs) will be selected through a competitive process. All existing CEOs will be eligible to participate in the competition. The new CEOs will be selected in consultation with the incoming board chairs.
• A new corporate management structure will be developed with input from existing and incoming boards. Details of the new structure will be available late fall.
• Current board office phone numbers will not change until further notice to ensure residents continue to access services and information.

2004 09 10                  10:45 a.m.