HEAL Supports Council of the Federation Report on Health Innovation

OTTAWA, July 26, 2012 /CNW/ - The Health Action Lobby (HEAL) welcomes the report of the Health Care Innovation Working Group (HCIWG) of the Council of the Federation. The HCIWG was launched by Canada's Premiers in January 2012 to look at how the provinces and territories can improve the quality of care that Canadians receive and overall system performance through shared innovations in service delivery that provide better health, better care and better value.

"With the direct involvement and contributions from a broad spectrum of health providers, including HEAL members, this unique pan-Canadian process has identified some important next steps in the areas of clinical practice guidelines, team-based delivery models and health human resource planning, said, Mr. Glenn Brimacombe, co-Chair of HEAL. "With strong leadership from Premiers Wall and Ghiz, and senior officials, members of HEAL look forward to continue working in partnership to transform the health system to meet the changing health needs of Canadians."

In the view of HEAL, the HCIWG report signals the beginnings of a new national approach for governments and health providers to collaborate and identify priorities and implement innovative solutions that advance the health and health care of Canadians. HEAL is committed to working with governments and strongly encourages continued leadership from the Premiers to advance this dialogue.

"It is essential that health providers and governments work in common cause to accelerate the adoption of innovations that have been identified in the report", said Dr. Karen Cohen, Co-Chair of HEAL. "As we move forward, it will be important to look at how health providers deliver service across the full spectrum of care and how these services are supported and funded within the public system and private systems."

Improving health outcomes for Canadians requires accelerated innovation. HEAL's 36 member organizations look forward to advancing the priorities identified in the HCIWG report and to discussing with governments other areas that can be addressed through this process, including: mental health, the management of chronic disease, childhood obesity, palliative care and end-of-life care, and population health.

HEAL is a coalition of 36 national health and consumer associations and organizations dedicated to protecting and strengthening Canada's health system. It represents more than half a million providers and consumers of health care. HEAL was formed in 1991 out of concern over the erosion of the federal government's role in supporting a national health care system. For more information, please visit our web-site at www.healthactionlobby.ca.

HEAL Members
Alzheimer Society of Canada
Association of Canadian Academic Healthcare Organizations
Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada
Canadian AIDS Society
Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists
Canadian Association of Midwives
Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists
Canadian Association of Optometrists
Canadian Association of Social Workers
Canadian Association of Speech Language Pathologists & Audiologists
Canadian Chiropractic Association
Canadian College of Health Leaders
Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association
Canadian Dental Association
Canadian Dental Hygienists Association
Canadian Dermatology Association
Canadian Healthcare Association
Canadian Home Care Association
Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association
Canadian Medical Association
Canadian Mental Health Association
Canadian Nurses Association
Canadian Orthopaedic Association
Canadian Pharmacists Association
Canadian Physiotherapy Association
Canadian Podiatric Medical Association
Canadian Psychological Association
Canadian Psychiatric Association
Canadian Public Health Association
Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science
Canadian Society of Nutrition Management
Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists
College of Family Physicians of Canada
Dietitians of Canada
Paramedic Association of Canada
Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada

SOURCE: Health Action Lobby

Media Contact:

Mr. Glenn Brimacombe, Co-Chair, HEAL
(President & CEO, ACAHO)
Telephone: [phone], Extension 323
Cell Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]

Mr. Michael Brennan, HEAL Member
(CEO, Canadian Physiotherapy Association)
Telephone: [phone]
Cell Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]