Issue 2/03 – 5 February 2003
Strengthened health care services respond to patient
concerns
CF Regular Force and Primary Reserve Force members
give their health service a mixed review in the 2000 Health and
Lifestyle Information Survey (HLIS). But with many medical reforms
taking effect this year, satisfaction rates are expected to rise
as patients see tangible changes at CF clinics across Canada.
“Through Rx2000,” says Colonel Brian O'Rourke,
Director of Health Services Delivery, “we are implementing
major reform to improve the services that we provide in our health
care clinics in Canada.”
This is the first HLIS to ask members about their
use of, and satisfaction with, CF medical facilities and services.
This much-needed information will be used to improve health care
and track satisfaction rates over time.
“The survey provides very important information,
because it is coming from the people we support – our patients,”
Col O'Rourke says. “We need to listen to what they are
saying in order to provide health care that supports their needs.”
From emergency care to primary care, mental health
to health protection, he says, many initiatives are now being developed
or implemented to ensure continuity of care in the CF Health Services
(CFHS). That means the health care needs of every CF member entitled
to care will be met to the highest possible standard – wherever
they are and whenever they need it.
Improved clinic care
 A
new clinic model, currently being trialled at four sites—Edmonton,
Bagotville, Kingston and Esquimalt—will revolutionize the
way entitled CF members receive primary care. The model will strengthen
overall continuity of care while providing health services tailored
to the unique needs of each patient and each unit. Every patient
will be assigned to a specific health care team, giving him or her
access to the same medical professionals at his or her base clinic.
This model allows military health care providers to train and deploy
while a core staff of experienced civilians provides ongoing clinic
care at home base.
The CFHS plans to roll out the new model at all CF
clinics in the next few years after completing a comprehensive evaluation
at the four trial sites.
Clinic care is also being improved through:
- clinic accreditation by the Canadian Council on
Health Services Accreditation to ensure that all CF clinics meet
Canadian standards; and
- streamlined clinic and health record management
through the capability enhancement initiative. This initiative
will also improve quality assurance standards, partner-ships with
the civilian health care sector, and access to pharmaceutical
products.
Standardized emergency care
The CFHS is developing an improved, standardized approach
to emergency care called “pre-hospital care”. It is
provided by ambulance or paramedic services at the point of injury,
before the patient arrives for care at a CF clinic or civilian emergency
department. The CF provides emergency services at remote sites such
as training bases, where the civilian emergency response system
is inadequate. At all other locations, CF members should call 911
in case of emergency.
The new model will also improve the links between
military services and civilian dispatchers. By assigning street
addresses to all CF buildings, for example—a simple solution—civilian
ambulances can get where they need to go.
Strengthened mental health services
CFHS is conducting a major review and reform of mental
health services based largely on the results of the CF/Statistics
Canada Mental Health Survey. Scheduled for release in 2003, the
survey will provide a detailed picture of mental health issues in
the CF and help CFHS determine requirements for mental health resources
and programs.
Dedicated force health protection capability
The new Force Health Protection (FHP) directorate,
established in September 2001, is dedicated to protecting and promoting
the health and well being of CF members at home and on deployment.
FHP will manage three Deployable Health Hazard Assessment
Teams and develop new health promotion programs, such as weight
wellness and stress management. A new partnership with the CF Personnel
Support Agency will ensure effective delivery of Strengthening the
Forces health promotion programs.
Enhanced support for sick and injured members
Case managers now working at most CF clinics across
Canada support members being released from the military for medical
reasons, on a temporary medical category, or who have complex medical
problems. Case managers advocate on behalf of patients, helping
them make a smooth transition from military to civilian life.
CFHS is also working with Veterans Affairs Canada
to fully support the health needs of sick and injured members and
assist in the coordination of pension entitlements.
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