Department Changes Organizational Structure

The Department of Health has taken another step forward to a more community-based and integrated health care system.

Health Minister Jamie Muir today announced changes in the department's organizational structure to support the new direction. The changes also support a recommendation from the auditor general for a greater emphasis on strategic planning.

"We need a structure within the department that helps us meet our commitments to achieve a health care system more responsive to the needs of Nova Scotians," Mr. Muir said. "The key objective is to ensure Nova Scotians get appropriate health care when and where they need it."

The realignment will integrate related programs. In addition, more emphasis will be put on new children's services. A new transition unit will support the introduction of district health authorities to replace regional health boards.

An associate deputy minister will directly oversee the delivery of provincial health programs such as long-term care, home care and mental health services. This will support effective and integrated health programs for Nova Scotians. It will also allow the deputy minister to devote more time to the strategic direction of the health care sector, consistent with the findings of the auditor general's report.

"The most recent auditor general's report highlighted the need for the department to put more emphasis on strategic direction," Mr. Muir said. "The realignment we're announcing today will help make this possible."

The role of a chief information officer will also be established as part of the organizational change. The officer will develop and implement a strategic plan to ensure that the province has the information it needs to make health care decisions based on solid evidence. Putting more emphasis on information management will also help to improve wait times for surgeries and procedures in the province.

The two new positions will be established within the department's approved budget through existing vacancies. There will be no staff layoffs as a result of the realignment.

More than 31,000 people are employed in the delivery of health care in the province. The department serves Nova Scotians through more than 80 major programs. The budget for 1999-2000 is $1.8 billion.