Two more partners endorse the Principles to Guide Health Care Transformation in Canada

OTTAWA, April 22, 2014 /CNW/ - The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) announced today that the Société Santé en français and FADOQ – Outaouais region have just added their names to the list of organizations supporting the Principles to Guide Health Care Transformation in Canada.

This brings to 136 the number of organizations that have lent their support to the founding principles for creating a patient-centred health care system.

"It is with great pleasure that we welcome these new partners. This shows the interest of these organizations and their members, and therefore the public, for transforming the health care system," said Dr. Louis Hugo Francescutti, president of the CMA. "Creating a patient-centred health care system must be a priority for everyone: health care professionals, patients, community organizations, and governments."

The principles were developed in 2011 by the CMA and the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) to guide the transformation of the health care system in Canada. They include ensuring that the public health system in Canada provides quality care, is sustainable, equitable, accountable, and patient-centred, and that greater emphasis is placed on prevention. (Click here to read the principles.)

"The Société Santé en français has worked for over 10 years to ensure equitable access to health care services for the minority Francophone population. We are therefore keenly aware of the link between social status and health," said Aurel Schofield, president of the Société Santé en français." In this sense, the principles created by the CMA and the CNA reinforce the action of the Société and its networks, which are joining the many national partners who aim to transform the Canadian health care system in order to foster universal access to quality care centred on patients and their communities."

"The social contract of the Réseau FADOQ presented in the Outaouais in October 2013 aligns well with the principles of quality of care and life. For over 40 years, FADOQ has been defending the rights and quality of life of our seniors," explained Lise Desaulniers, president of FADOQ – Outaouais region. "The principles stated by the CMA and the CNA are fully consistent with our values and our mission; therefore, we are joining with these many partners to show a united front in order to foster universal access to quality care centred on patients and their communities."

The Société Santé en français (SSF) and its member networks actively contribute to the healthy development of Francophone and Acadian communities who live in a minority setting, through a quality health care system that respects their cultural, social and linguistic values.

Joining FADOQ (Outaouais region) means adopting a positive attitude toward life and ensuring that your wellness and that of other seniors is a priority in our Outaouais community. Our mission is to break the isolation among people 50 years old and over by promoting physical, intellectual, social, recreational and outdoor activities, to help them maintain their independence as long as possible. With 20 affiliated clubs and more than 8,000 members in the Outaouais, we have great visibility with the public, in the regional media and in various activities.

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 80,000 of Canada's physicians and comprising 12 provincial and territorial medical associations and 60 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.

SOURCE: Canadian Medical Association

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