Support for principles to guide health care transformation in Canada continues to build

OTTAWA, April 4, 2013 /CNW/ - The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) today announced that six more patient and advocacy groups have endorsed the Principles to Guide Health Care Transformation in Canada. This brings to 128 the number of organizations who have lent their support to the principles.

"I am pleased that the joint principles continue to attract the interest of patient, community, health charity, and other local and national organizations," said Dr. Anna Reid, CMA president. "The embrace of these principles by so many diverse organizations proves that Canadians truly want to see our health care system change."

The principles (www.cma.ca/health-care-transformation ) were developed in 2011 by the CMA and the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) to guide the transformation of the health care system in Canada. The goal is for Canada's public health care system to provide quality care and to be sustainable, equitable, accountable and patient-centred, with a greater emphasis on prevention.

The most recent partners to endorse the principles are the Canadian Cancer Action Network, the National Gaucher Foundation, NWT Teachers' Association, the NWT Seniors' Society, Alternatives North and the Centre Psychosocial d'Ottawa.

"Together with our partners we will continue to advocate for better health care for patients and improved health for Canadians," Dr. Reid said.

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

The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) is the national voice of Canadian physicians.
Founded in 1867, the CMA is a voluntary professional organization representing more than 77,000 of Canada's physicians and comprising 12 provincial and territorial medical associations and 51 national medical organizations. 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.

Quotes from patient advocacy groups

"The Canadian Cancer Action Network (CCAN) is pleased to support the Principles to Guide Health Care Transformation in Canada as developed by the CMA and the CNA. As a patient-centred umbrella organization working closely with patient advocacy groups and key cancer control stakeholders across Canada, CCAN is grounded in the belief that in order to advance efforts to achieve universal and timely access to quality care and treatment, a patient-centred approach must be firmly embedded in health care transformation. We applaud the joint efforts of the CMA and CNA to guide Canadians toward an improved health care system."

Marjorie Morrison, Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Cancer Action Network

For more information: 866-378-1986

"The Principles to Guide Health Care Transformation are in complete alignment with the National Gaucher Foundation's vision. Both the Foundation and the CMA believe that it is vital that Canadians have access to optimal, equitable, sustainable care and support to live full, healthy and productive lives."

Christine White, President, National Gaucher Foundation

For more information: 613-521-5050

"The Northwest Territories Teachers' Association is pleased to support the CMA/CNA Principles to Guide Health Care Transformation in Canada. We strongly support a proactive approach to develop strategies for health promotion and illness prevention for children, youth and families that acknowledges socioeconomic and environmental impacts on health. Progress in this area is certain to have a positive impact for students, teachers, families, and schools where the ever-increasing special needs of students exceed the education system's capacity to address these needs."

Gayla Meredith, President, Northwest Territories Teachers' Association

For more information: 867-873-8501

"The goal to sustain a system that is patient-centred and accountable is critical for all Canadians. We wholeheartedly support and approve of this approach in any new health accord between the government and the provinces and territories. I strongly believe better care, better health outcomes, and lower per capital costs are in the best interest of Canadians. We all must put our energy behind the wheel to help accomplish these goals CMA is putting forward in this document."

Leon Peterson, President, Northwest Territories Seniors' Society

For more information: 867-920-7444

"Alternatives North supports the joint principles to transform the health care system. As a social justice coalition operating in the Northwest Territories and working to raise awareness on social issues, we believe that all orders of government should adopt these principles to ensure that improvements to the health care system are more patient-centred."

For more information: 867 445 2149

"The Centre Psychosocial is an exclusively Francophone agency offering mental health services in the various Canadian provinces. The Centre partners with all those who endorse the guiding principles for health care transformation put forth by the CMA and the CNA. These principles place the patient at the forefront, in a context where we are increasingly sensitive to and conscious of the importance of mental health and its impact on physical health. Placing the patient at the center of treatment demands a serious rethinking of our therapeutic approaches and our treatment traditions."

Dr. René-Guy Cantin, Executive Director, Centre Psychosocial d'Ottawa

For more information: 855-789-2244

SOURCE: Canadian Medical Association

Dominique Jolicoeur, Communications Officer
[email protected]
Tel: [phone] ext. 2038
Cell: 613-809-5669