Health Canada releases report from external review of pan-Canadian health organizations

OTTAWA, March 27, 2018 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada is committed to working with provinces and territories, Indigenous peoples and other stakeholders to strengthen the health care system to make it more responsive to the changing needs of Canadians.

Today, the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Health, released the report Fit for Purpose: Findings and Recommendations of the External Review of the Pan-Canadian Health Organizations. The report was prepared by Dr. Pierre-Gerlier Forest and Dr. Danielle Martin, two external advisors appointed by the Minister to provide independent advice on how federally funded pan-Canadian health organizations (PCHOs) could best support progress on key health system priorities.

The external advisors made recommendations to improve the suite of PCHOs and to better support current and future health system needs, in keeping with the federal role in Canadian health care. The report's findings were informed by significant consultations with a broad range of stakeholders, including provincial and territorial officials, National Indigenous Organizations, health system leaders, researchers and experts, industry leaders, and representatives of the PCHOs.

Over the coming weeks, the federal government will review the report's findings and recommendations on the future role of these organizations in light of the challenges and priorities facing the health system.

Quotes

"The Government of Canada is committed to strengthening Canada's health care system so that it better responds to emerging health challenges and the future needs of Canadians. I would like to thank Dr. Pierre-Gerlier Forest and Dr. Danielle Martin for their thorough and comprehensive report. Their advice will help guide our decisions on how the suite of pan-Canadian health organizations can best support Canada's health care system in the future."

The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor
Minister of Health

Quick Facts

• The PCHOs are self-governing, not-for-profit agencies with representation from governments, experts and stakeholders. They were created over the past three decades to respond to specific Canadian health system needs and to advance federal and national objectives for health care.
• In October 2017, Minister Petitpas Taylor appointed two external advisors—Dr. Pierre-Gerlier Forest and Dr. Danielle Martin—to undertake an independent review of the eight federally funded PCHOs.
• The external advisors were asked to provide advice and recommendations to the Minister on:
• the role and impact of the PCHOs in advancing progress on federal and pan-Canadian health objectives and priorities in relation to key issues and emerging pressures; and
• re-imagining this group of organizations to respond to emerging issues, accelerate innovations and advance a national vision for the health system of the future.

Related Products
External Review of the Federally Funded Pan-Canadian Health Organizations

Associated Links

For more information on the Pan-Canadian health organizations:
Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction 
Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health 
Canadian Institute for Health Information 
Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement 
Canada Health Infoway 
Canadian Patient Safety Institute 
Canadian Partnership Against Cancer 
Mental Health Commission of Canada

SOURCE Health Canada

Thierry Bélair, Office of Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Health, 613-957-0200; Media Relations, Health Canada, 613-957-2983, [email protected]