Minister announces Primary Health Care Advisory Council

Gerald Smith, Minister of Health and Community Services, today announced the appointment of members to the Primary Health Care Advisory Council.

The Primary Health Care Advisory Council consists of representatives of key stakeholder groups who will advise the Minister of Health and Community Services on the development and implementation of the Provincial Primary Health Care Framework.

"The issue of primary health care has become paramount across the country. Recommendations from the Romanow Report support continued efforts for primary health care renewal," said Minister Smith. "The level of representation we have on this council indicates that primary health care reform and renewal is of great importance in our province."

The council is comprised of members from 15 organizations, all working to ensure the province�s primary health care system is well-integrated and leads to better outcomes, better health status, and greater cost effectiveness. Minister Smith introduced Kathy LeGrow as chair of the Primary Health Care Advisory Council. Ms. LeGrow worked on primary health care renewal in her role as chair of the Primary Care Advisory Committee from September to December 2001. This committee examined issues related to the delivery of primary health care by family physicians throughout the province.

"I am pleased to once again have the opportunity to work with other key stakeholders on primary health care renewal for this province," said Ms. LeGrow. "This council provides us with the opportunity to work together collaboratively to ensure that primary health care renewal is beneficial to the people of our province."

Healthier Together: A Strategic Health Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador sets a new direction for primary health care as the central focus of the delivery of health and community services in this province. In addition, the Office of Primary Health Care has been established within the Department of Health and Community Services to carry out the development of the Primary Health Care Framework.

"A renewed primary health care system will be of benefit to the people of this province because it emphasizes the importance of health and well-being," said Minister Smith. "It takes into account the needs and choices of clients and determines the most appropriate type and level of care."

Primary health care is the first level of contact people have with the health and community services system, such as a family doctor, nurse practitioner, community health nurse, paramedic, or social worker.

Media contact: Diane Keough, Communications, (709) 729-1377

Kathy LeGrow, Chair

Association of Allied Health Professionals - Sharon King

Association of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador - Jeanette Andrews

Health and Community Services- Western Region - Susan Gillam

Memorial University Faculty of Medicine - Dr. Robert Miller

Memorial University School of Nursing - Doreen Westera

Newfoundland Medical Board - Dr. Barbara Grandy

Newfoundland Pharmaceutical Association -Brenda Bursey

Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Social Workers -Lisa Crockwell

Newfoundland and Labrador Centre for Health Information - Steve O�Reilly

Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association - Robert Ritter

Newfoundland and Labrador Nurses� Union - Debbie Forward

Peninsulas Health Care Corporation - Dr. Roy Manual

St. John�s Nursing Home Board - Primrose Bishop

Department of Health and Community Services - Ed Hunt

Department of Health and Community Services - Beverley Clarke

2002 12 12                                        3:00 p.m.