Provincial-Territorial Envelope Initiatives
Nova Scotia
$17,073,265
Objective:
To increase the proportion of Nova Scotians who have access to primary health care organizations/networks which provide a defined set of comprehensive services using a population health approach with increased emphasis on health promotion.
Activities:
There are four main primary health care activities being undertaken by Nova Scotia's Department of Health:
- Shifting the focus of primary health care from family physicians in solo or group practice to collaborative primary health care teams that involve many different primary health care providers offering a defined range of comprehensive services to a defined population;
- Developing a cultural shift among primary health care providers that supports a population health approach, collaboration and an enhanced role for health promotion;
- Changing the primary health care funding system so that primary health care professionals are remunerated by means that are not volume-driven; and
- Preparing the primary health care system for the future implementation of an electronic health record that easily facilitates sharing of information among primary care providers, and between the primary, secondary and tertiary health care systems.
Nova Scotia's Department of Health is also enhancing its primary health care evaluation capacity and conducting provincial and regional workshops to raise awareness to effectively address the primary health care needs of culturally diverse populations.
Expected Results:
- Established and strengthened primary health care networks/organizations;
- Enhanced 24/7 access to essential primary health care services;
- Increased interdisciplinary collaboration among primary health care providers;
- Enhancement of information systems within primary health care models in preparation for electronic health records; and
- Evaluation of PHCTF funded initiatives.
Nova Scotia's primary health care renewal initiatives are transitional in nature and will not require sustained funding. Ongoing costs related to the operation of primary health care networks and organizations will be the responsibility of district health authorities in the province.
Contact:
Paula M. English
Manager, Primary Health Care
Nova Scotia Department of Health
PO Box 488
Halifax, NS B3J 2R8
Tel: (902) 424-8881
Fax: (902) 424-3243
Email: englispm@gov.ns.ca
 www.gov.ns.ca/health/primaryhealthcare/
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