Minister Releases Task Force Report
Health Minister Jamie Muir today released the Minister's Task Force on Regionalized Health Care in Nova Scotia final report and recommendations.
The mandate of the task force, as stated in the executive summary of the report, "was not to investigate the validity of regionalization but to study its strengths and weaknesses and present its recommendations for improvement."
Among the recommendations outlined in the report: continue the process of regionalization; develop and strengthen community health boards; adopt a new funding structure for regional health boards; establish a Mental Health Commission; change the status of non-designated organizations; establish a Provincial Policy and Accountability Council to provide leadership; devolve home-care and long-term care to the regional health boards; retain the existing boundaries for the present; strengthen the relationships between hospital foundations and regional health boards; improve health information management; and develop a long-term communication plan.
Mr. Muir, who met earlier this week with Dr. Richard Goldbloom, the task force chair, said he will be gathering additional information from communities and others before responding in detail to the report.
"I will be meeting with the CEOs and chairs of the regional health boards as well as the IWK Grace, QEII, Nova Scotia Hospital and the Cape Breton Healthcare Complex in the coming weeks and seeking additional information from many key stakeholders, including a detailed breakdown of the cost of administering the regionalized health system," said the health minister.
"The report clearly points out that the current system has failed to properly involve communities, care-givers and volunteers. We cannot repeat the mistakes of the past by simply imposing changes without a thoughtful plan or community input," said Mr. Muir. "As a new government, our first priority is to build a responsive and efficient system that meets the health care needs of Nova Scotians. The system will be changed, but it must be done in step-wise fashion and in consultation with those who work and rely on the health care system."
The minister thanked Dr. Goldbloom and the task force members.
"They took on the difficult job of analyzing an extremely complex system. I am grateful for the time and energy they devoted to this project on behalf of Nova Scotians. The committee's recommendations will be carefully considered as we work toward improving the delivery of health services throughout the province."
The task force report is available on the Department of Health's website at www.gov.ns.ca/health/taskforce . Copies will also be available at the Government Bookstore, 1700 Granville St., Halifax, 902-424-7580 or 1-800-526-6575.
NOTE TO EDITORS: Health Minister Jamie Muir will be available to the media today from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Please call Sue McKeage at 902-424-3581 to set up an interview time.