GOVERNMENT INVESTS $5 MILLION IN QUALITY IMPROVEMENTS TO HEALTH SYSTEM

Health Minister Don McMorris today announced a $5 million investment of new funding to improve the delivery of health care in a select number of health regions. For Saskatchewan families and patients it will mean they can get in to see their family doctor when they want, quicker referrals to specialists, and faster movement through the system for needed health services. It is expected the lessons learned through these improvements will be shared with all health regions.

"We know everyone working in our system right now has the clinical skills and the desire to provide the best patient care possible," McMorris said. "This is a prudent investment that will benefit patients, health providers and ultimately help to ensure a sustainable health system."

The money will be used over the next four years by the Health Quality Council, in partnership with selected Regional Health Authorities and the Ministry of Health, to systematically create strategies that will improve quality of care for Saskatchewan residents. For example, some of the money will be used to provide people (clinicians, office managers and medical assistants) time off their regular duties to take a hands-on training program in how to reorganize their medical office. The redesign of the appointment system can mean patients get in to see the specialist within days rather than weeks or months.

"This initiative is one of the most comprehensive programs for improving health care quality ever undertaken in Canada," Five Hills Health Region Health Quality Council chair and CEO Dan Florizone said. "It's time to supply the tools for front-line providers and managers to make meaningful changes in how they do their work."

The Five Hills Health Region is already changing processes in more than 50 different areas, as part of a smaller scale pilot project. One small change in the telephone protocol at Moose Jaw Union Hospital has resulted in reducing the number of unnecessary phone calls to the Emergency Department by 50 per cent, freeing up two hours a day for direct patient care.

It is anticipated that by 2011-2012, these improvements will result in savings of as much as $10-15 million in total health care spending by avoiding inappropriate care and improving access to services.

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For more information, contact:

Andrew Dinsmore
Health
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4083
Email: adinsmore@health.gov.sk.ca

Greg Basky
Health Quality Council
Saskatoon
Phone: 306-668-8814
Cell: 306-220-5075