Plan for Better Health Care Released
A plan, focused on health promotion, more doctors and nurses, shorter wait lists, seniors' care and health services within communities, was released by government today, March 20.
"Your Health Matters is a realistic and reasonable plan, based on the advice of our health care professionals, partners and communities," Health Minister Jane Purves said. "As a result, this multi-year plan is focused on people. We are increasing our support for the people who provide care, so the people who need care, get care, that much sooner."
Government is taking immediate steps so patients get critical tests and treatments more quickly. In 2003-04, $5 million will be invested to shorten wait lists for cardiac tests and surgeries. As well, $45 million will be invested over the next three years to purchase diagnostic, surgical and other medical equipment.
A team, led by Dr. Mike MacKenzie, district chief of staff in the Guysborough-Antigonish-Strait Health Authority, will collect more consistent and meaningful wait list information. The team will also recommend ways the information can be used to shorten wait lists. This could include sharing more information among doctors, increasing patient choice on where they get tests and adding resources in priority areas. The first annual Minister's Report to Patients, containing more information on wait lists will be released in the fall.
Plans to train, recruit and retain hundreds more health professionals, including nurses, doctors and medical lab technologists, will also support patient care and shorten wait lists. As well, an additional $124 million has been guaranteed to hospitals over the next three years to support this effort.
Health Promotion Minister Rodney MacDonald said the plan stresses the importance of health promotion. "We created the Office of Health Promotion to increase the focus and attention on helping people stay healthy," Mr. MacDonald said. "Our focus begins with children, and we have a number of activities already under way. I look forward to working with our partners and communities on a vision and full action plan for this important area."
Your Health Matters also focuses on expanding health services in communities. About $4 million will be invested in 2003-04 to expand access to mental health services across the province. Support will also increase for health professionals, including nurse practitioners, working as teams to provide more focus on health promotion, improved care and around-the-clock access for essential services.
Care for seniors is also a focus. Taxpayers will invest about $1.1 million to address the existing wait list for home care, and about $10 million to freeze the seniors' pharmacare premium and co-pay this year. Planning is also under way on the range of services that should be provided as seniors' care needs change.
Ms. Purves said this plan should help people see how the individual actions being taken in health, fit together as a whole. "People may have different opinions and questions about parts of the plan -- and that's fine. Any good plan is flexible. What's most important is for us to keep talking -- and keep working together to improve the quality of health care for Nova Scotians."
Copies of the plan are available on the Department of Health Web site at www.gov.ns.ca/health .