Recommendations not a new focus for Valley health services

By Wendy Elliott

The Advertiser/NovaNewsNow.com

Working to transform the health care system in the Annapolis Valley is not a new focus, says chief administrative officer (CAO) Janet Knox.

While the province announced last week that it is taking action on recommendations from a health system operational review to make the health-care system more effective, efficient and sustainable, the Valley is already implementing 19 of 45 pertinent recommendations.

All 103 recommendations made by the independent consultants Corpus Sanchez have been accepted and will begin to be implemented over the next three years. Knox says discussions began in 2005 when she and her nine peers across the province called for a review.

In 2006, they were all on board for the visits of the consultant, receiving daily debriefings. She said an independent revamping was necessary.

“Our health status hasn’t changed. Are we doing the right things to be healthier?” Knox believes that the overall population health questions had to be asked given restricted resources.

As of last week, the CAO indicated, the journey will continue with the province and the health authorities and the public becoming even stronger partners.

“The report lays it out,” she said. “We will share our best knowledge.” In the Valley, positive changes are already launched. Knox pointed to the new collaborative team in Middleton that follows on the Wolfville and Annapolis Royal model.

According to Knox, efficiency suggestions on the medical floor and operating room at Valley Regional Hospital have also taken place.

Board member Steve Hemenway of Kingston noted that the universality of health care would be continued. And along with greater sensitivity to best practices, added his colleague, Jim Mosher of Middleton.

The district will be taking over long-term care, according to the report. “We’ve done a lot of work already to prioritize. We are already busy, but we will pay closer attention to what’s possible.”

Hemenway said community health boards would be further called upon this spring to engage the public.

“This is a bottom up form of transformation,” he noted. The province’s no smoking in public places legislation, Hemenway said, came from the health board in his area.

Another Valley success story, Knox suggested, is the healthier schools/school nutrition program. “We’ve made some solid steps forward.”



Sidebar:

The government’s view



The recommendations outlined in the report cover every aspect of the health-care system. It notes Nova Scotia's system is heavily focused hospital-based care, which is the most expensive way to deliver health-care services.

The report recommends a focus on community-based care, and restructuring across the system.

The report was developed with input from thousands of health-care providers and interested groups, from every hospital across the province. It notes factors such as an aging population, poor health status of Nova Scotians, increasing demand for health services, health human resource challenges, and the cost of maintaining the system as reasons why the system must change to continue to meet the changing health needs of Nova Scotians.

Capital District Health Authority vice president for medicine Dr. Brendan Carr said in the Jan. 17 news release, “as health system leaders, we support the vision of transformation that focuses on quality and safety. In order for the health-care system to be truly sustainable, we must broaden our focus from the treatment of illness, to include maintaining and improving health, in partnership with our citizens.”

In its response to the report, the province has outlined actions for four key areas: helping people stay healthy; addressing changing needs of seniors; supporting health professionals; and investing for better results. Specific initiatives include establishing a selfcare/telecare phone line for 24/7 health advice, establishing a health human resource strategy, reviewing pharmacy and laboratory services, improving the flow of patients throughout the hospital system, and the use of non-clinical support services.

Health Minister Chris d’Entremont said, “I am particularly excited to note that we will be engaging citizens in consultation on the development of a rural health strategy for the province, which will include addressing the issue of emergency health care. As patients, caregivers and taxpayers, we all have a role to play in ensuring we have the best health-care system possible…”