News Release
2003-16
March 31, 2003
Medical equipment fund enhances availability of publicly-funded diagnostic care and treatment services
OTTAWA - The Honourable Anne McLellan, Federal Minister of Health, today
announced the scope and use of the new $1.5 billion Diagnostic and Medical Equipment Fund,
marking a major step forward in implementing the Health Care Action Plan agreed to by Canada's
First Ministers at their February 2003 meeting.
The principal objective of the Fund is to enable provincial and territorial governments
to accelerate their efforts to acquire and install diagnostic and medical equipment and
support specialized staff training so that more Canadians will have improved access to
timely, publicly funded diagnostic services.
"The availability of publicly-funded diagnostic care and treatment services is key to
reducing waiting times and ensuring timely access to quality care," said Minister McLellan. "This
Fund will support significant new investments in purchasing and installing new medical
and diagnostic equipment, for upgrading older equipment and for training staff in their
use."
As the capacity of diagnostic and medical equipment varies across jurisdictions, governments
will have flexibility in making investments specific to their need. While access to MRIs
and CT scanners is important to early diagnosis and treatment, Fund investments will not
be limited to high technology equipment. Patient care will also benefit from investments
in other diagnostic and therapeutic equipment, medical and surgical equipment and more
basic equipment such as bed lifts.
Commencing in 2004, First Ministers also agreed to report to their citizens on an annual
basis, using comparable indicators, on enhancements to diagnostic and medical equipment
and services. This reporting will inform Canadians on progress achieved and key outcomes.
It will also inform Canadians on current programs and expenditures, providing a baseline
against which these new investments can be tracked, as well as on service levels and outcomes.
Governments will work together to develop and refine relevant comparable indicators that
enhance accountability to Canadians.
On February 5, 2003, Canada's First Ministers agreed to a new health plan to improve access
to quality care for all Canadians. The Government of Canada will provide $34.8 billion
over five years:
- to relieve immediate pressures on the health care system;
- for a new Health Reform Fund for primary care, home care and catastrophic drug coverage;
and,
- for the purchase of diagnostic and medical equipment, and investment in information
technology.
Each year, governments will report to citizens on how health care dollars are being spent
to improve health care in Canada.
Funding for this initiative was provided for in the February 2003 Federal Budget.
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Media Inquiries:
Farah Mohamed
Office of Anne McLellan
Minister of Health
(613) 957-1694
Ryan Baker
Health Canada
(613) 954-4807
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