OTTAWA, Feb. 11, 2014 /CNW/ - The Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement (CFHI) welcomes the health initiatives announced in Budget 2014, including support for healthcare across the Territories and funding for patient-oriented research and innovation, particularly in the area of dementia. The government's focus aligns with CFHI's work supporting initiatives that improve healthcare in Canada's North and for patients with dementia.
"Improving healthcare for Northerners and Canadians with dementia is important so we welcome the initiatives announced in Budget 2014," says CFHI President Maureen O'Neil. "We look forward to working with the government to make progress on these issues."
The Territorial Health Investment Fund announced today will target increased healthcare in priority areas and reduced reliance on outside healthcare systems and medical travel. CFHI has worked with the Northwest Territories (NWT) Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) to improve the management and prevention of chronic disease. Together, CFHI and the NWT DHSS have improved patient care, including earlier identification and diagnosis of chronic kidney disease (CKD), greater standardization of care, more timely and appropriate referrals and better engagement and management of patients.
Budget 2014 also includes support for research and innovation, including for patient-focused research and the creation of the Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration. CFHI works with health partners to develop and spread innovations that improve patient care. One CFHI-supported project in Manitoba achieved a 27% reduction in the number of dementia patients receiving anti-psychotic medications without any increase in behavioural symptoms.
The Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to accelerating healthcare improvement by working with provinces, territories and other healthcare partners to promote efficient healthcare that delivers better outcomes. With a $10 million annual federal investment, CFHI supports the development of innovations that could save provincial-territorial healthcare budgets over $1 billion per year. CFHI is funded through an agreement with the Government of Canada.
SOURCE: Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement
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Paulette Roberge
Senior Communications Specialist
Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement
W: 613-728-2238 ext. 288
C: 613-790-1070
E: [email protected]
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