District Health Authorities' Business Plans Approved

Health-care core services will be maintained and rising costs addressed as business plans for five district health authorities were released today, Nov. 28.

Funds were announced for South West Nova, Cumberland, Guysborough Antigonish Strait, Capital, and Pictou County health authorities.

In releasing the plans, Health Minister Chris d'Entremont said he recognizes the challenges districts encounter in setting, and meeting, balanced budgets.

"We know the district health authorities face continuous pressures and challenges to deliver the kind of care Nova Scotians need and want," said Mr. d'Entremont. "That's why, for the fourth year in a row, we've provided them with a seven per cent non-wage increase, in addition to wage and benefit increases, to help them in the delivery of quality programs and services to Nova Scotians."

The money budgeted will allow each authority to maintain core services, address increased drug and supplies costs, as well as wage settlement costs. It will also allow the districts to continue to roll out new, and expanded, health-care services.

Discussions continue with South Shore Health, Annapolis Valley Health, Colchester East Hants Health Authority, Cape Breton Health Authority, and the IWK Health Centre, to finalize their business plans.

At $1.2 billion, the budget for the district health authorities accounts for almost half of the Department of Health's 2006-07 budget of $2.8 billion.

NOTE: Below is a list of the 2006-07 approved budgets for five district health authorities:

South West Nova: $56.3 million)

Cumberland Health: $39.1 million

Pictou County Health: $50.5 million

Guysborough Antigonish Strait Health: $48.3 million

Capital Health: $588.3 million