Saskatchewan: Single Provincial Health Authority

Saskatchewan: Single Provincial Health Authority

Postby Oscar » Wed Jan 04, 2017 11:19 am

GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES MOVE TO SINGLE PROVINCIAL HEALTH AUTHORITY

[ http://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/n ... -authority ]

Released on January 4, 2017

Change Will Reduce Administration While Improving Co-ordination of Health Services

Today, Health Minister Jim Reiter accepted all of the recommendations of the Saskatchewan Advisory Panel on Health System Structure, and announced the province will consolidate the 12 existing Regional Health Authorities (RHAs) into one single Provincial Health Authority.

“One Provincial Health Authority that is focussed on better co-ordination of health services across the province will improve the quality of care patients receive,” Reiter said. “It will also reduce administration and duplication across the health system.

“This change represents a consolidation of administration, not a centralization of services. Our government remains committed to providing high-quality health services in every part of the province. Our goal is better co-ordination between the health services provided in different areas of the province.”

Along with the recommendation to move to a single Provincial Health Authority, the Advisory Panel recommends the appointment of a single Board of Directors to govern the new Authority. The report also recommends system-wide improvements that include consolidation of health system administrative support functions and some clinical services such as laboratory and diagnostic imaging, and the planning, dispatch and delivery of Emergency Medical Services (EMS).

“We recognize the changes we are recommending are significant,” Advisory Panel member Dr. Dennis Kendel said. “The Advisory Panel encourages the provincial government and senior leaders within the health system to take the time required to ensure a smooth transition.”

This is a significant change, and it will take time to create a new Provincial Health Authority. Work on implementation planning has already begun at the Ministry of Health. A comprehensive plan is being developed that will work through critical implementation details, including legislation, governance, financial and change management considerations. While the date the new Provincial Health Authority will come into being is still to be determined, it is anticipated to occur in fall 2017.

“We want to do this quickly, but it is important to do this right,” Reiter said. “The priority will be planning for a smooth transition and ensuring patients are always the focus. Throughout the transition to the new Provincial Health Authority, our number one goal will be to ensure patients receive the same or better care.

“I thank the Advisory Panel for its thoughtful report,” Reiter said. “I am confident that implementing these recommendations will result in the most effective and efficient health care structure for Saskatchewan.”

Optimizing and Integrating Patient-Centred Care: Saskatchewan Advisory Panel on Health System Structure is available online at http://www.saskatchewan.ca. -30-

For more information, contact:

Tyler McMurchy, Health
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4083

See Original URL for Background Documents . . . .
[ http://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/n ... -authority ]
Oscar
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Joined: Wed May 03, 2006 3:23 pm

Re: Saskatchewan: Single Provincial Health Authority

Postby Oscar » Tue Jan 10, 2017 8:49 pm

Transition to Single Provincial Health Authority Underway

[ http://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/n ... y-underway ]

Released on January 10, 2017

Administrative Cost Savings Being Identified

Work is underway to consolidate the 12 existing Regional Health Authorities (RHAs) to a single Provincial Health Authority, anticipated to occur in fall 2017.

“As work begins on the transition, our goal is to ensure implementation occurs seamlessly and that the needs of patients are always our top priority,” Health Minister Jim Reiter said. “This is a significant change and there is a lot of work to be done. Our government is taking a thoughtful and planned approach to ensure this is done right.”

A transition team is being assembled that will include Ministry of Health, clinical and health system leaders. The team is tasked with developing a comprehensive plan to implement the new Provincial Health Authority. Along with a new governance and management structure, the team will be considering the consolidation of health system administration and clinical support services, and the potential savings associated with consolidation. The potential savings associated with consolidation are currently estimated in the range of $10-20 million by 2018-19.

Examples of potential savings include:

•Moving from 12 Boards to a single Board will save approximately $700,000 a year in Board governance costs.

•Approximately $160 million per year is spent on information technology across the health system (RHAs, Saskatchewan Cancer Agency, eHealth Saskatchewan and 3sHealth). Consolidation of information technology for RHAs provides the opportunity to save approximately $9 million per year.

A reduction in salary expenses for senior executive level positions across RHAs is also anticipated. An estimated dollar value will be determined as transition planning develops a new Provincial Health Authority structure.

“We are in the beginning stages of the transition process, so the potential cost savings range is a very early estimate,” Reiter said. “There will be costs associated with implementation in the first year, including some severance, with savings anticipated to begin in 2018."

“While cost savings will be the product of improved co-ordination and integration of health care services, it is not the primary objective. The move to a single Provincial Health Authority is being driven by our government’s continued commitment to improving front-line patient care for people across the province.” -30-

For more information, contact:

Tyler McMurchy
Health
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4083
Email: tyler.mcmurchy@health.gov.sk.ca
Oscar
Site Admin
 
Posts: 9079
Joined: Wed May 03, 2006 3:23 pm


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