Canada's nurses applaud government's focus on health-care innovation

Federal health minister launches advisory panel

TORONTO, June 24, 2014 /CNW/ - The Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) welcomes the federal government's launch today of an advisory panel on innovation in health care that will consult broadly with Canadians on how to make better use of existing health-care resources to improve services and health outcomes for patients.

"Canada's nurses, like so many other health-care providers, are strong proponents of finding creative, forward-thinking innovations in health care," said CNA president Dr. Karima Velji, following her attendance at the advisory panel launch. "While we agree that it's necessary to find creative ways to improve patient care, enhance health outcomes and reduce costs, this must be done while protecting and strengthening our publicly funded, not-for-profit health-care system."

CNA is pleased the advisory panel will gather ideas and perspectives from a broad range of Canadians, including provincial and territorial representatives, health-care professionals, patients and consumers, aboriginal leaders, entrepreneurs and others.

Members of the advisory panel come from within and outside the health-care sector, allowing for a unique mix of expertise and experiences. The panel will include two registered nurses (RNs): Francine Girard, dean and associate professor in the faculty of nursing sciences at the Université de Montréal, and Chris Power, president and chief executive officer of Capital Health in Nova Scotia. "This is an opportunity for the nursing profession to contribute expertise and insight to this national work on health-care innovation," Velji said.

CNA believes it's important for the advisory panel to build upon the efforts of the Council of the Federation's health-care innovation working group and the work of other health-care professions. In particular, CNA encourages the advisory panel to look at existing innovations that have been successfully implemented in Canada and abroad, as they could possibly be scaled up across the health-care system in Canada.

CNA is the national professional voice of registered nurses in Canada. A federation of 11 provincial and territorial nursing associations and colleges representing 151,404 registered nurses, CNA advances the practice and profession of nursing to improve health outcomes and strengthen Canada's publicly funded, not-for-profit health system.

SOURCE: Canadian Nurses Association

Kate Headley, External Communications Coordinator
Canadian Nurses Association
Telephone: [phone], ext. 561
Cell: 613-697-7507
E-mail: [email protected]