ACAHO Welcomes Council of the Federation Report on Health Innovation

OTTAWA, July 26, 2012 /CNW/ - The Association of Canadian Academic Healthcare Organizations (ACAHO) welcomes the release of the report of the Council of the Federation Health Care Innovation Working Group.

"The report, which identifies a number of pockets of innovation across the country and the need to accelerate their adoption with sustainable change management strategies, underscores the importance of health providers working closely with provinces and territories to advance the health of Canadians and improve system performance", said Ms. Chris Power, ACAHO Board Chair, and President & CEO of Capital District Health Authority in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

This unique process has identified a number of important next steps in the areas of clinical practice guidelines, team-based models of care, health human resources and quality improvement.  With strong leadership from Premier Wall and Ghiz, and senior officials, ACAHO members look forward to continuing to work in partnership to transform the health system to meet the changing health needs of Canadians.

While the provinces and territories have demonstrated significant leadership in creating a national approach to health innovation, we also believe there is an important role for the federal government to play; not only in terms of the health services it delivers to Canadians, but through a number of policies and programs that support investments in health research and innovation.  "This is where we need maximum alignment and collaboration between the two levels of government", said Mr. Glenn Brimacombe, President & CEO of ACAHO.

Seen as a starting point for more joint dialogue and collaborative activity, ACAHO members look forward to discussing with governments other areas that can be addressed through this process.

Members of ACAHO are leaders of innovative and transformational organizations that serve a unique and essential role in the system: they educate the next generation of health care professionals, advance leading-edge innovative practices through health research, and provide much of the specialized health care services to Canadians.

ACAHO Vision
To advance patient care and the health & well-being of Canadians through research discovery and innovation.

ACAHO Mission 
To create an environment in which research discovery, innovation and learning benefit patients, populations, health systems and the economy.

SOURCE: ASSOCIATION OF CANADIAN ACADEMIC HEALTHCARE ORGANIZATIONS

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