Health and Wellness Minister Leo Glavine will visit district health authorities over the next six weeks to discuss how to improve provincial health services.
The minister will meet with board members, senior leadership teams and community health board chairs in the nine districts and the IWK Health Centre, to hear views on how to improve health care for Nova Scotians.
He will also share his vision on how to improve the health care system to put patient care first.
“In the coming year, the province will be moving toward a more streamlined health-care system, focused on provincewide solutions for Nova Scotians,” said Mr. Glavine. “These changes need to be done in close collaboration with our partners in the districts. They have the first-hand experience and direct knowledge that will be key in making this transition as smooth and effective as possible.”
One of the province’s priorities is to shift from nine district health authorities and the IWK Health Centre to two authorities by 2015-16. The two authorities will be a board for the IWK, and a provincial board, with four regional management zones.
Mr. Glavine will talk to frontline staff and managers, patient advocates, volunteers, physicians, local labour, and community leaders during the tour, to hear how the system can work better for patients.
“We need to break down the administrative walls of health care, to provide consistent, quality care to Nova Scotians,” said Mr. Glavine. “Fewer health authorities allow us to provide more equal access to specialized services and a more responsive and sustainable system for patients.”
Mr. Glavine also stressed the importance of the local perspective and site management for these changes to be successful.
“A new, streamlined health system will still need strong, community-based leadership and decision-making,” he said. “Foundations and auxiliaries will continue to be vital supports to their local hospitals, services, and communities.”
The tour schedule is:
Jan. 27-28: Southwest Health Authority
Feb. 4-6: Cape Breton Health Authority
Feb. 18: Annapolis Valley Health Authority
Feb. 19: South Shore Health Authority
Feb. 25: Colchester Health Authority
Feb. 26: Cumberland Health Authority
March 4: Pictou Health Authority
March 5: Guysborough Antigonish Strait Health Authority
The minister will also meet with Capital Health and the IWK during the tour.
The province will issue a document highlighting what the province heard and provide an opportunity for public feedback.
Source: Release
