More Support for Principles to Guide Health Care Transformation

OTTAWA, May 24, 2012 /CNW/ - The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) today announced that an additional 15 patient advocacy groups have endorsed the set of principles developed by Canada's physicians and nurses to guide the transformation of the health care system.

The principles were developed by the CMA and the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) (www.cma.ca/advocacy/hctprinciples) last year and have now been endorsed by 118 patient, health and medical organizations.

"The groundswell of support from the health and patient community for a principles-based approach to transforming health care shows a clear way forward for health care in this country," said Dr. John Haggie, CMA president. "Patients, doctors other health care professionals, indeed all Canadians, believe that politics must be set aside in the name of transforming health care for the future."

The CMA has been calling on the federal, provincial and territorial governments to come together and adopt the principles as the foundation for health care transformation. This is critical since truly transforming health care will require the federal government to play a strong but collaborative role with provincial and territorial governments.

"The CMA believes that Canada can have the best health and health care in the world, but that requires action now," added Dr. Haggie. "As provincial and territorial leaders prepare for the summer meeting of the Council of the Federation, they should take heed of the broad and growing support for these principles and use them to support the work of the Council's own Health Care Innovation Working Group."

Attached are quotes from representatives of the patient advocacy groups that have endorsed the CMA/CNA principles.

The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) is the national voice of Canadian physicians. Founded in 1867, CMA's mission is to serve and unite the physicians of Canada and be the national advocate, in partnership with the people of Canada, for the highest standards of health and health care. The CMA is a voluntary professional organization representing over 76,000 of Canada's physicians and comprising 12 provincial and territorial medical associations and 51 national medical organizations.

Quotes from patient advocacy groups

"The Asthma Society of Canada supports the guiding principles for health care transformation developed by the Canadian Medical Association and the Canadian Nurses Association with their emphasis on patient-centred care. As Canadians and their governments engage in important discussions as we approach the end of the current Health Accord, the Asthma Society of Canada urges all to remember the needs of those with chronic, long-term illness and the individual burdens they face on a daily basis. Health care in Canada must be accessible, equitable and timely for all Canadians."

- Robert Oliphant, President and CEO, Asthma Society of Canada

For more information: 866-787-4050 or 416-787-4050

"On behalf of Canadians of all ages living with or at risk of liver disease, the Canadian Liver Foundation supports the CMA/CNA Principles to Guide Health Care Transformation and their emphasis on patient-centred, equitable and research-based care. The prevention and treatment of liver disease requires an integrated, accessible and sustainable health care continuum that focuses on patient needs and long-term outcomes. It is our hope that these principles will help guide us towards that goal."

- Dr. Morris Sherman, Chairman, Canadian Liver Foundation

For more information: 1-800-563-5483

"The GBS/CIDP Foundation of Canada strongly endorses the principles as set out by the CMA/CNA, and we join the other stakeholders on the important issues of patient-centred care. All patients and their families look to our government for accountability and integrity in managing their health care and ensuring each Canadian that patient-centred health care will be there now as well as for future generations. There must be solidarity among the municipal, provincial and federal governments to make health care sustainable for all."

- Susan Keast, Executive Director, GBS/CIDP Foundation of Canada

For more information: 905-640-0073

"The Health Charities Coalition of Canada is pleased to support the CMA/CNA Principles to Guide Health Care Transformation in Canada. We believe strongly that a focus on patient-centred care delivered along the full continuum of care and support for health research are required to achieve better health outcomes for all Canadians."

- Deirdre Freiheit, Executive Director, Health Charities Coalition of Canada

For more information: 613-232-7266

"The National Asthma Patient Alliance (NAPA) calls on the federal, provincial and territorial governments to engage in open and transparent discussions about health care transformation. We equally call on all Canadians to inform themselves about the principles for transforming health care in Canada as offered clearly and helpfully by the Canadian Medical Association and the Canadian Nurses Association. All Canadians are patients at some time in their lives and the delivery of patient-centred, accountable and geographically neutral care is critical to the social, cultural and economic well-being of Canada."

- Noah Farber, Executive Director, National Asthma Patient Alliance

For more information:  866-787-4050 or 416-787-4050 

"The Canadian AIDS Society endorses the joint principles developed by the Canadian Medical Association and the Canadian Nurses Association. The principles support our core values of patient-centred care for people living with HIV/AIDS and all communities to ensure equal access to care regardless of place of residence."

- Monique Doolittle-Romas, Executive Director, Canadian AIDS Society

For more information:  613-230-3580

"Lymphoma Foundation Canada strongly supports the principles as an important component of the strategy to positively transform our health care system in Canada. This must include equal and timely access to increase availability and funding to effective and life-extending treatments to all Canadians no matter what province you reside in."

- Sue Robson, Executive Director, Lymphoma Foundation Canada

For more information: 905-642-5332

"Spinal Cord Injury Canada, and its board of directors, strongly supports the joint principles as a cornerstone to transform our health care system and making it more patient-centred. The principles fit perfectly with our vision and main initiative to improve the lives of Canadians living with spinal cord injury."

- Bobby White, Executive Director, Spinal Cord Injury Canada

For more information: 613-723-1913

"Neurological Health Charities Canada (NHCC) is pleased to support the joint CMA/CNA Principles to Guide Health Care Transformation. Representing more than 5.5 million Canadians who live with a neurological disorder, NHCC believes a health care system that is person-centred, sustainable, universally accessible and focused on quality care will greatly improve health outcomes for all Canadians living with neurological and other chronic conditions."

- Joyce Gordon, Chair, Neurological Health Charities Canada

For more information: 416-227-9700

"Patient-centred care requires more efficient, more humane and more sensitive management of our health care system: reduction of waiting times for tests and consultations, better coordination of such referrals, and informative explanations to patients and their families. The CMA/CNA Principles to Guide Health Care Transformation present a good basis for these changes. However, we know that the health of children and youth is impacted not only by the health system but also in a major way by their social/economic status and their environment. Therefore the principles relating to health promotion and illness prevention and to equity are particularly important to improving the health of our children and youth."

- Dr. C Robin Walker, Chair, Canadian Institute of Child Health

For more information: 613-230-8838

"The Coalition Priorité Cancer au Québec is proud to support the Principles to Guide Health Care Transformation in Canada developed by the Canadian Medical Association and the Canadian Nurses Association. The Coalition is providing a voice to support and defend people afflicted with cancer in Quebec; and the directions proposed in these principles are consistent with the coalition's objectives, namely putting patient needs at the forefront, ensuring quality of care and services, focusing on prevention and optimizing resources."

- Nathalie Rodrigue, Vice-Chair, Coalition Priorité Cancer au Québec

For more information: 514-868-2009

"At Hope Air - Vols d'espoir, we believe that all Canadians should have equal access to our health care system, no matter where you live in Canada and regardless of your income! As Canada's only national charity that arranges free flights to medical care, we are pleased that the joint CMA/CNA principles call for equitable access as part of transforming our health care system."

- Doug Keller-Hobson, Executive Director, Hope Air

For additional information: 416-222-6335 ext. 228

"The Acoustic Neuroma Association of Canada carefully reviewed the Principles to Guide Health Care Transformation in Canada developed by Canadian Medical Association and the Canadian Nurses Association and supports them as we firmly believe that patients with acoustic neuromas (benign brain tumours), who too often fall through the cracks of the health care system, deserve improved quality of services and enhanced quality of life. We look forward to witnessing the implementation of these principles."

- Dr. Carol-Anne Sullivan, President, Acoustic Neuroma Association of Canada

For additional information: 1-800-561-2622

"The Better Pharmacare Coalition (BPC) is pleased to support the CMA/CNA Principles to Guide Health Care Transformation. Our 11 member organizations who advocate on behalf of more than two million British Columbians have always believed that a patient-focused health care system represents the best hope for successful chronic disease management. The CMA/CNA principles are consistent with our advocacy position."

- Rennie Hoffman, Chair, Better Pharmacare Coalition

For additional information: 604-626-7024

"The joint principles are the authority for any improvements to be brought in order to render the health care system more patient-centred. Our governments should use these principles as a cornerstone."

- Paul-François Bourgault, Chair, Psoriasis Québec/Alliance Québécoise du Psoriasis

For more information: 418-838-9779

Lucie Boileau, Senior Advisor, Communications and Public Outreach
[email protected]
Tel: [phone] ext. 1266
Cell: 613-447-0866