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ACCOUNTABILITY
STATEMENT
This Business Plan
for the three years commencing April 1, 2004 was prepared under
my direction in accordance with the Government Accountability
Act and the government’s accounting policies. All of the government’s
policy decisions as at February 27, 2004 with material economic
or fiscal implications of which I am aware have been considered
in preparing the Business Plan.
The Ministry’s priorities
outlined in the Business Plan were developed in the context of the
government’s business and fiscal plans. I am committed to achieving
the planned results laid out in this Business Plan.
[original
signed]
Gary Mar, Minister
of Health and Wellness
March 4, 2004
THE
MINISTRY
The
Ministry is comprised of the Department of Health and Wellness and
the Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission (AADAC). This Business
Plan sets out strategic changes, improvements and activities for
both components of the Ministry in the three years ahead. The Ministry
Business Plan guides the department operational plans. Supplementary
information on AADAC's business plan is in the appendix. This Business
Plan is also a framework for development of multi-year performance
agreements and plans by health authorities.
Financial information
is consolidated in the attached Ministry Statement of Operations.
A summary of progress on this Business Plan will be reported in
the 2004-05 Annual Report for Alberta Health and Wellness. A more
detailed description of how the health system in Alberta works today
can be found on our Web site by clicking
here.
LINK
TO GOVERNMENT STRATEGIC BUSINESS PLAN
VISION
Healthy
and well Albertans
MISSION
Provide
leadership and work collaboratively with partners to assure the
delivery of quality affordable health services and wellness programs
to help Albertans be healthy.
CORE
BUSINESSES
Core Business 1: Encourage and support healthy
living.
Goal 1 - Albertans choose healthier lifestyles.
Goal 2 - Albertans' health is protected.
Core Business 2: Ensure quality health services.
Goal 3 - Improved access to health services.
Goal 4 - Improved health service outcomes.
Core Business 3: Lead the health system.
Goal 5 - Health system sustainability.
Goal 6 - Ministry organizational excellence.
SIGNIFICANT
OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES
This
is an exciting time for Alberta's health system. Recent reforms
in key areas laid the foundation for improved accessibility, integration
and cost-effectiveness. The Premier's Advisory Council on Health
proposed significant change in its report released January 2002.
That report is the blueprint to strengthen and sustain Alberta's
health system. Partnerships with health authorities, service providers
and other stakeholders have given rise to innovative ways to increase
effectiveness. At the same time, our partnerships continue to improve
the accessibility and quality of health services. The 2004-07 Government
of Alberta Strategic Business Plan acknowledges Albertans want and
expect to be full participants in governing the province and the
services it provides. Community governance is considered a normal
operating procedure.
Beginning in
the fiscal year 2003-04, the Ministry made important changes to
the strategic alignment, accountability and performance of the nine
regional health authorities and two provincial boards. Multi-year
performance agreements that include plans, expectations and performance
measures will set out in clear terms the duties and obligations
of the Minister and the health authorities. The performance agreements
will focus on recommendations of key direction-setting documents
such as the following:
- A Framework
for Reform,
- Healthy Aging:
New Directions for Care,
- Going Further:
Building on a Framework for Reform.
The Ministry
strives to provide a quality health system that is contemporary,
responsive, affordable and well-managed. Initiatives proposed by
the Premier's Advisory Council on Health have been integrated with
most aspects of the Ministry's business, resulting in significant
improvement to the foundation of Alberta's health system.
Changing
Population Profile
Alberta's population
is growing and aging. By 2016, 10 to 14 per cent of Albertans will
have reached age 65 or older. Alberta will need to offer more customized
models of care, which will allow people to ‘age-in-place’.
A significant proportion of Albertans are Aboriginal with specific
health needs. The challenge is to enhance the opportunities for
all Albertans to optimize their personal health and wellness.
Healthy
Choices and Opportunities
The health of
individuals is influenced by the choices they make. The Government
of Alberta Strategic Business Plan requires collaboration to positively
influence the factors that lead to healthy human development.
Technological
Advances
Maintaining
Alberta's leadership in health technology and innovation will benefit
our future economy. Technological innovation creates opportunities
to improve service delivery. The challenge will be to evaluate the
cost and benefit of new technologies, including health outcomes.
Health
Human Resources
We need to pursue
opportunities for collaboration with educational institutions to
meet the health human resource need. Population changes will increase
demand for all types of health services. New concepts in health
human resource planning are being implemented to enhance health
service delivery. The challenge is to ensure an appropriately skilled
workforce will be available for the future.
Public
Health Risk Management
Alliances across
governments will ensure Albertans benefit from best practices at
the national and international level. Recent events such as Severe
Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and West Nile virus have focused
public awareness on our health system's preparedness and communications
capacity for population health emergencies. The Ministry will continue
to refine existing readiness plans.
Sustainability
The Ministry
will play a leadership role at provincial and national levels to
maintain the necessary flexibility for creative and innovative local
solutions. Health sustainability means investing in the health and
wellness of the population over time using the human and financial
resources available. The challenges bring opportunities to be innovative
and flexible.
STRATEGIC
PRIORITIES 2004-07
The
Ministry strategic priorities for the next three years have been
identified. These priorities are in addition to the important ongoing
core activities of the Ministry.
| 1.
Strengthen public health risk management capabilities.
Linkage:
Goal 2
|
Albertans
want to know that their health system is prepared and able
to protect them from risks to their health. Recent events
such as the outbreak of SARS and West Nile virus have reinforced
the importance of strong public health programs. Albertans
are partners in this effort. Key strategies for managing public
health risks include:
Protect
Albertans against communicable diseases
Strengthen and restructure system capacity to respond to public
health issues and risks.
Protect
Albertans from environmental health risks
Protect Albertans from health risks in the environment through
education, regulatory enforcement and partnership with other
agencies.
|
| 2.
Enhanced health system sustainability.
Linkage: Goals 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6
|
The
long-term sustainability of Alberta's health system depends
on it being contemporary, responsive, affordable and well-managed.
Contemporary means adopting best practices based on evidence,
using current and new technology and further developing an
adaptable and progressive health workforce. Responsiveness
means providing a wide range of choices to meet Albertans'
changing and diverse health needs. Affordability means achieving
the highest level of quality with available resources and
balancing needs with other demands for services such as education.
Well-managed means creating and maintaining partnerships,
effective governance and management structures. Key strategies
in support of sustainability include:
Cross-Ministry
Health Sustainability Initiative
Enhance the sustainability of the health system now and in
the future by strengthening policy integration and collaboration
across Ministries.
Primary
health care
Access to health services is an important issue for Albertans.
Implementation of the agreement with the Alberta Medical Association
and health authorities will enhance access to primary health
care throughout Alberta. Albertans expect that services will
be available when needed and provided in an effective and
coordinated manner.
Community
care
In many instances, community-based care has proven to be an
effective alternative to high cost acute care provided in
traditional hospital settings. By strengthening the capacity
of community-based health service providers, Alberta seniors,
persons with disabilities and those with mental health needs
will be able to receive the care they need on a timely basis
in their communities.
Alternate
funding mechanisms
The future sustainability of Alberta's health system will
depend on finding new ways of resourcing the growing list
of health services and programs which people find to be of
benefit and value in maintaining optimum health and wellness.
Many of these extend beyond established Canada Health Act
services.
Electronic
health record
The continuous improvement of quality is an integral part
of health service delivery in Alberta. The expansion of the
electronic health record will improve quality by ensuring
that health service providers have pertinent and accurate
health information. This will result in more accurate diagnosis
and treatment for better, safer patient care.
Health
promotion and protection
Albertans want to take greater personal responsibility for
their own health and wellness. Proper exercise and nutrition,
combined with decisions that reduce personal health risks,
will improve quality of life and long-term health outcomes
and decrease demands on the health system.
Health
workforce recruitment and retention
A quality health system requires a competent, progressive
health workforce. Close co-operation among employers, health
services providers and the education system is required to
develop, attract and retain health professionals. |
CORE
BUSINESSES, GOALS, STRATEGIES AND MEASURES
CORE
BUSINESS ONE: Encourage and support healthy living.
GOAL
1: Albertans choose healthier lifestyles.
What
it means
Health
and wellness are influenced by genetic factors, early childhood
development, education, employment status and the environment. Albertans
want to stay healthy and are willing to learn about healthy choices
to improve their quality of life. Government can help by providing
timely and accurate health information in a supportive environment.
Strategies
1.1
Provide health and lifestyle information to help people make healthy
choices as encouraged by the Healthy U Campaign and the
Framework for a Healthy Alberta.
1.2 Enable people to make appropriate use of the health system
through counselling and information services like HealthLink.
1.3 Collaborate with other Ministries on initiatives to address
the needs of children, youth, seniors, aboriginal communities
and Albertans with disabilities or who are disadvantaged.
1.4 Ensure that addiction information, prevention and treatment
is available province-wide.
Measures
GOAL
2: Albertans' health is protected.
What
it means
As
public health issues like SARS gain attention worldwide, Albertans
need to know their health system is ready and able to protect their
health. Alberta Health and Wellness, in collaboration with health
authorities and other partners, will continue to protect Albertans
from disease and injury.
Strategies
2.1
Protect Albertans against communicable diseases by strengthening
the health system's capacity to respond to public health issues
and risks, including immunization and implementation of Alberta's
pandemic influenza response plan as necessary.
2.2 Protect Albertans from environmental health risks through
education, environmental monitoring, regulatory compliance and
enforcement in partnership with other Ministries.
2.3 Collaborate with other Ministries to ensure safe and secure
drinking water for Albertans.
2.4 Reduce suicide and the risk of serious injury through education
and targeted interventions in collaboration with other agencies.
2.5 Develop networks and initiatives that improve access to disease
screening and prevention services (e.g., diabetes).
Measures
CORE
BUSINESS TWO: Ensure quality health services.
GOAL
3: Improved access to health services.
What
it means
Albertans
expect health services will be accessible where and when needed.
Working with health authorities and service providers, Alberta Health
and Wellness sets access standards for the health system. Improved
access includes standards for wait times, geographic access and
supports for choice in health services. These standards and their
targets are as interconnected as the health system itself, and any
target affects other health services.
Strategies
3.1
Develop and implement access standards for selected services and
the electronic booking system for the province.
3.2 Expand participation in Alberta's Electronic Health Records.
3.3 Work tri-laterally with the Alberta Medical Association and
health regions to implement changes to improve primary health
care:
- 24 hours
a day, seven days a week access to primary care services;
- greater
use of multi-disciplinary teams;
- improved
coordination and integration with other health care services;
- ncreased
emphasis on health promotion, disease and injury prevention,
including chronic disease management (e.g., diabetes).
3.4
Ensure appropriate access to health services in rural and remote
areas.
3.5 Develop and implement guidelines for emergency health, trauma
services and obstetrical services.
3.6 Promote options for continuing care that allow Albertans to
'age-in-place.'
3.7 Complete Broda report implementation through strategies focused
on:
- quality
of long-term care services;
- coordinated
access to long-term care services; and
- consolidation
and modernization of legislation relevant to long-term care.
3.8
Protect Albertans from catastrophic drug costs.
Measures
GOAL
4: Improved health service outcomes.
What
it means
Albertans expect the best possible care and outcomes
every time they use the health system. As part of its leadership
and assurance role, the Ministry establishes quality standards for
safety, accessibility and effective use of resources. This role
also includes ensuring compliance. The Ministry continually updates
standards and develops new initiatives in response to technological
advances, demographic changes and other factors.
Strategies
4.1 Promote quality standards for health services,
such as patient safety.
4.2 Use information from the Health Quality Council of Alberta
to improve performance of Alberta's health system.
4.3 Help Albertans with chronic health conditions maintain optimum
health through appropriately managed and coordinated care.
4.4 Ensure Albertans receive health services from the most appropriate
facilities or providers.
4.5 Refine mechanisms to deal with health care concerns and complaints.
Measures
CORE
BUSINESS THREE: Lead the health system.
GOAL
5: Health system sustainability.
What
it means
Alberta's
complex health system is challenged by continuous change, rising
costs, steady growth and increased public expectations. A sustainable
health system must meet these challenges today and in the future
while remaining affordable to the taxpayer. Maintaining quality
and public confidence while slowing the growth of provincial health
care expenses in relation to provincial revenues are key requirements
for a sustainable health system. Attaining health system sustainability
requires the collaboration of stakeholders and especially the Alberta
public who use the system. Public communication and education strategies
under Goal 1 will help Albertans become more effective partners
in managing public health care. Collaboration with Alberta Infrastructure
is needed to ensure Alberta’s infrastructure supports health
and wellness service delivery.
Strategies
System
Management
5.1 Lead the Health Sustainability Initiative, which strengthens
collaboration, integration and coordination across government
ministries to enhance the sustainability of the public health
system.
5.2 Provide leadership in federal-provincial relations to maintain
Alberta's ability to meet local health needs.
5.3 Collaborate with health authorities and other partners on
integrated policy and planning initiatives.
5.4 Implement multi-year performance agreements with health authorities
that promote innovation, collaboration and set out performance
expectations and deliverables.
5.5 Collaborate to evaluate alternative ways to finance programs
not covered by the Canada Health Act, including cost-sharing approaches
for a wide range of services.
Health
Workforce
5.6 Work with key stakeholders on plans and initiatives, such
as the Rural Physician Action Plan, to educate, recruit and retain
the needed health workforce.
5.7 Increase flexibility of the health workforce within the provisions
of the Health Professions Act.
Technology
5.8 Improve processes to evaluate effectiveness and cost and coordinate
implementation of new health care technologies, including drugs.
5.9 Implement integrated information systems, including the Electronic
Health Record, that will support research and improve clinical
and management decision-making.
5.10 Lead implementation of health information management best
practices, including privacy and security.
5.11 Implement Information Management/Information Technology Governance
Council processes and structures to guide health sector investments
in strategic information management and information technology.
Measures
GOAL
6: Ministry organizational excellence.
What
it means
Albertans
want to know the Ministry is working efficiently and it will continue
to provide excellent service. To do this, the Ministry must work
in partnership to use available human, financial and technological
resources in the best possible way and foster the culture of a learning
organization.
Strategies
6.1
Improve the department's leadership and the quality of its contribution
to Cross-Ministry Initiatives.
6.2 Deliver high quality information and client service through
Ministry direct operated programs.
6.3 Cultivate a supportive work environment that encourages teamwork
and shared responsibility.
6.4 Foster an organizational culture of learning and continuous
improvement.
6.5 Maximize effectiveness of stakeholder networks and relationships.
6.6 Enhance Ministry performance through appropriate systems and
tools.
Measures
EXPENSE
BY CORE BUSINESS
MINISTRY
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
CONSOLIDATED
NET OPERATING RESULT
CAPITAL
INVESTMENT BY CORE BUSINESS
CAPITAL
INVESTMENT BY PROGRAM
APPENDIX:
THE ALBERTA ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE COMMISSION (AADAC)
The
Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission (AADAC) is mandated by
the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Act to operate and fund services addressing
alcohol, other drug and gambling problems, and to conduct related
research.
AADAC is an agency of the Government of Alberta reporting to the
Minister of Health and Wellness. The Commission is governed by a
Board of up to 12 members appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in
Council. The Chair is a Member of the Legislative Assembly. The
Commission Board provides policy direction for AADAC's programs
and services.
LINK
TO GOVERNMENT BUSINESS PLAN
AADAC
is directly linked to government as part of the Ministry of Health
and Wellness and is referenced in the Ministry Business Plan under:
Goal
1: Albertans choose healthier lifestyles.
Strategy:
Ensure that addiction information, prevention and treatment is
available province-wide.
VISION
A
healthy society that is free from the harmful effects of alcohol,
other drugs and gambling.
MISSION
Making
a difference in people's lives by assisting Albertans to achieve
freedom from the harmful effects of alcohol, other drugs and gambling.
CORE
BUSINESSES
Core
Business 1: Information
Goal
1 - To inform Albertans about alcohol, other drug and gambling
issues and AADAC services.
Core
Business 2: Prevention
Goal
2 - To prevent the development of and reduce the harms associated
with alcohol, other drug and gambling problems.
Core
Business 3: Treatment
Goal
3 - To provide treatment programs and services that assist Albertans
to improve or recover from the harmful effects of alcohol, other
drug and gambling problems.
STRATEGIC
PRIORITIES 2004-07
One
of the pillars of the Government of Alberta's 20-year strategic
plan, Today's Opportunities, Tomorrow's Promise, is to make Alberta
the best place to live, work and visit. AADAC contributes to this
vision by delivering responsive and affordable programs and services
that promote healthy living. Through review of external and internal
challenges, AADAC has identified the following strategic priorities
for 2004-07:
-
Ensure the ongoing sustainability of addiction services across
the province.
- Continue
to emphasize youth programs and services for women and families.
- Enhance
research and information services to support prevention and treatment
programming.
- Maintain
a priority on tobacco reduction in Alberta
- Continue
to support employee wellness initiatives.
CORE
BUSINESSES, GOALS, STRATEGIES AND MEASURES
CORE
BUSINESS ONE: Information
GOAL
1: To inform Albertans about alcohol, other drug and gambling
issues and AADAC services.
What
it means
AADAC
provides Albertans with current and accurate information on alcohol,
other drugs and gambling. Information management and dissemination
creates greater awareness of addiction issues and AADAC services,
and is required to support the development and delivery of prevention
and treatment programming. Information and resource materials are
available through AADAC offices and clinics and are accessible on
the AADAC web site at www.aadac.com.
Measures
CORE
BUSINESS TWO: Prevention
GOAL
2: To prevent the development of and reduce the harms associated
with alcohol, other drug and gambling problems.
What
it means
AADAC
provides programs and services that are designed to prevent alcohol,
other drug and gambling problems, and reduce the harms associated
with substance abuse and problem gambling. Prevention strategies
are intended to increase protective factors and reduce risk factors
for the population as a whole, and within specific groups.
Measures
CORE
BUSINESS THREE: Treatment
GOAL
3: To provide treatment programs and services that assist
Albertans to improve or recover from the harmful effects of alcohol,
other drug and gambling problems.
What
it means
AADAC
offers a broad continuum of treatment services that assist Albertans
to improve or recover from the harmful effects of alcohol, other
drug and gambling problems. Treatment is aimed at adults, youth
and their families who are displaying significant problems. Services
include community-based outpatient counselling, day programs, crisis
and detoxification services, short and long-term residential treatment
and overnight shelter. Specialized programs are available for youth,
women, Aboriginal Albertans, business and industry referrals and
persons with opiate dependency or cocaine addiction.
Measures
Go
to: Human Resources and Employment Business
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