Nova Scotia's Primary Health Care Transition on Track

Health Minister Angus MacIsaac stated today, Nov. 7, that funding designated for primary health care information technology will be spent as intended and not "clawed back" as reported.

"This investment in information technology will have direct and very clear benefits to virtually everyone who uses our health care system," said Mr. MacIsaac. "We've committed to this investment, and any claims that we're clawing it back are simply wrong."

Recently, the Department of Health met with representatives from the province's nine district health authorities to discuss the development of the Electronic Patient Record system across the province.

Electronic patient records allow for patient care information to be shared among health-care teams within communities. The records are part of a health-care model to improve the way Canadians receive primary care, now most commonly accessed at a doctor's office.

Nova Scotia's share of the four-year Primary Health Care Transition Fund from Health Canada is about $17 million. About $4 million was earmarked for the electronic patient record initiative. This money will be spent in 2004-05 and 2005-06, and will be held centrally until evidence shows the most cost- effective way to implement electronic patient record technology in Nova Scotia.

"We have committed to electronic patient records for Nova Scotia, and we are accountable to the federal government to implement the system," Mr. MacIsaac said.