News Release
2007-41
April 11, 2007
For immediate release
Nunavut joins with Canada's New Government to announce Patient Wait Times Guarantee
YELLOWKNIFE - The Honourable Tony Clement, Federal Minister of Health, and the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Nunavut Minister of Health and Social Services, today announced that Nunavut has agreed to establish a Patient Wait Times Guarantee for some types of diagnostic imaging, to be supported by $4.5 million in federal Budget funding. Nunavut will also be eligible to benefit from the $400 million in new funding for Canada Health Infoway, and the $30 million for pilot projects as announced in Budget 2007.
"We are proud that Nunavut has joined the other territories and provinces who have taken up Canada's New Government's offer to move forward and initiate a Wait Times Guarantee," said Minister Clement. "This important advance in Canada's healthcare system is now available from coast to coast to coast."
With a population of just 30,000 people spread over one-fifth the land mass of Canada, Nunavut faces unique challenges in providing health care services to its residents. Nonetheless, Nunavut has committed to establishing a wait time guarantee in certain types of diagnostic imaging, such as video assisted ultrasounds. The Government of Nunavut will undertake pilot projects to improve timely access to diagnostic imaging which will assist in laying the groundwork for the establishment of a guarantee in 2010.
"Our commitment to reducing wait times advances the Government of Nunavut's overall goal of building Healthy Communities," said Minister Aglukkaq. "The pilot projects will enhance the diverse range of primary health care services now available in each community and help ensure patients receive the right care, at the right time, by the right provider."
This announcement marks another step forward by Canada's New Government as it continues to work towards ensuring that all Canadians receive medically necessary care and treatment within clinically acceptable wait times.
Canada's New Government is providing up to $612 million in a Patient Wait Times Guarantee Trust, and $400 million for health information technology through Infoway, an organization which is making significant progress in working with provinces and territories to implement electronic health records. In addition to these investments, $30 million over three years will go to provinces and territories for pilot projects related to establishing guarantees.
"Canadians want their territorial, provincial and federal governments to work together to ensure that timely treatment is available for them and their families. Today's announcement, like the others, shows that a patient wait times guarantee is achievable when all governments work collaboratively," said the Honourable Jim Prentice, Regional Minister for Alberta and the Territories. "Canadians expect us to work together in their best interest."
Today's announcement complements a number of previously launched pilot projects toward achieving timely access to better care. These include three which are designed to test guarantees for prenatal and diabetes care in selected First Nations communities, while a fourth is a national paediatric pilot project to address wait times for children in need of surgery.
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Media Inquiries:
Carole Saindon
Health Canada
(613) 957-1588
Rita Smith
Office of the Honourable Tony Clement
Federal Minister of Health
(613) 957-0200
Nancy Campbell
Health and Social Services
Government of Nunavut
(867) 975-5714
Public Inquiries:
(613) 957-2991
1-866 225-0709
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