Health and Community Services Minister the Honourable Ross Wiseman today announced the proclamation of the Centre for Health Information Act. The act establishes the Newfoundland and Labrador Centre for Health Information as a statutory corporation responsible to the minister through a board of directors.

"For the past 10 years, the centre has significantly improved the quality and quantity of health information available to health providers, government, the regional health authorities, researchers, and the public," said Minister Wiseman. "The centre is also well-known for establishing Newfoundland and Labrador as one of the national leaders in the development of the electronic health record. Granting the centre free-standing status will enable it to build on its successes to date and enhance its ability to further develop the electronic health record."

The evolution of the centre�s unique mandate to provide health information and develop the electronic health record warrants the centre having its own legal structure and arms-length status. As an arms-length organization, the centre will have enhanced access to federal funding and revenue through private partnerships. This will enable it to attract and obtain additional investment dollars to further develop and implement the provincial health information infrastructure.

"The centre has enjoyed significant support from the Provincial Government, the regional health authorities, the professional and regulatory bodies representing this province�s health professionals, and Canada Health Infoway" said Bill Fanning, chair of the centre�s board of directors. "Without this support Newfoundland and Labrador would not be recognized for the knowledge and skills it has contributed to the development of the electronic health record in Canada. I would particularly like to thank Eastern Health and its CEO, George Tilley, and Elizabeth Davis, CEO of the former Health Care Corporation, for their commitment to the vision of the centre."

To ensure continuity of the appropriate security and privacy to safeguard personal health information, the act includes health information regulations which provide additional protection of individuals� personal health information.

Since its establishment in 1996, the centre has been part of Eastern Health. It supports the development of data and technical standards, maintains key health databases, prepares and distributes health reports, and supports and carries out applied health research and evaluations. Its mandate also includes the development of a confidential and secure provincial electronic health record. The centre has 54 employees in its offices at 28 Pippy Place in St. John�s and the Taylor Building in Harbour Grace.

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2007 06 20                                                    10:30 a.m.