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VANCOUVER – British
Columbia’s two largest health authorities, Fraser Health and Vancouver Coastal
Health, will partner in a $75-million Lower Mainland Innovation and Integration
Fund to encourage new patient-focused funding models that will support patient
access – a government initiative announced in the 2008 throne speech.
The health authorities today
announced they are soliciting creative and entrepreneurial proposals from
physicians, staff and others that will improve efficiency and effectiveness; implement innovative ways of
delivering quality care; improve access in Vancouver Coastal Health and Fraser
Health; and promote integration between the two health authorities.
“Our government is committed to providing the very best health care
possible, and that means ensuring that our system is efficient and
sustainable,” said Health Minister George Abbott. “This Lower Mainland
Innovation and Integration Fund will encourage new approaches and closer ties
between B.C.’s two largest health authorities that will support patient care
needs and access, while making the best use of every taxpayer dollar.”
Abbott said the fund will
encourage process improvements that will focus on activity levels by using
existing people and resources more effectively to improve outcomes.
“This initiative will build on the creativity and innovation already
underway in Vancouver Coastal Health and Fraser Health, such as the Emergency
Decongestion Pilot and iCare, that have shown progress in improving patient
access,” said Ida Goodreau, president and CEO of Vancouver Coastal Health. “The
innovation and integration fund is a commitment to finding new ways to make our
system sustainable, and to improve the health and well-being of the communities
we serve.”
The two health authorities co-operate in
many ways on a daily basis and are working to further integrate programs to operate
more effectively. For example, they recently announced that some managers would
have responsibilities for programs across both health authorities.
“This collaborative initiative offers
additional opportunities to enhance integration between our two health
authorities,” said Dr. Nigel Murray, president and CEO of Fraser Health.
“Fraser Health and Vancouver Coastal Health are engaging staff to identify
innovations that will improve the efficiency of the health care system and
maintain our focus on patients.”
Fraser Health and Vancouver Coastal Health have received $50 million for
use in 2008/09 to fund proposals from within the two health authorities, with
the remaining $25 million to become available in 2009/10.
The initial call for proposals was unveiled within the two health
authorities today, with the first round of successful proposals expected to be
announced in June 2008.
As British Columbia’s two largest health
authorities, Vancouver Coastal Health and Fraser Health provide community,
hospital and residential care services to more than 60 per cent of the
province’s population, as well as many specialized services to the entire
province.
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Media contact: |
Fraser Health Media Pager 604 450-7881 |
Viviana Zanocco Senior Media Relations Officer Vancouver Coastal Health 604 708-5282 |
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Michelle Stewart Communications Director Ministry of Health 250 812-5571 (cell) 250 952-1887 (media line) |
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For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca. |
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