Message from the Minister
and Accountability Statement
I am pleased to present the 2007/08 – 2009/10 Service Plan for the Ministry of Health. This plan outlines the strategic priorities
and key initiatives for the health system over the next three years.
The Ministry of Health along with B.C.'s health authorities and a hundred thousand dedicated health professionals are committed
to delivering high quality health services to British Columbians. Our work is done in support of our government's Five Great
Goals for a Golden Decade that highlight healthy living and a quality health system as key priorities for British Columbia.
Our vision of a modern health system is one that assists British Columbians across their life span, whether they need support
to stay healthy, get better from an illness or injury, live with and manage a chronic disease or disability, or cope with
the end of life.
Providing quality health services and ensuring the health system is sustainable for our children and grandchildren are of
primary importance to the Ministry. Accordingly, in September 2006 Premier Campbell launched the Conversation on Health. In
2007 the Conversation on Health will continue to engage British Columbians in a discussion about health service priorities.
The Conversation on Health is providing a valuable opportunity for government to hear about the health issues and solutions
that matter most to British Columbians, and will guide us in our efforts to renew and improve our health system for today
and ensure that we have a sustainable system for our children and grandchildren in the years to come.
Our 2007/08 – 2009/10 Service Plan also focuses on a number of initiatives that build on our Pacific Leadership Agenda to
improve the health of British Columbians and renew our public health care system. One of our top priorities is to improve
the health of the First Nations population through the implementation of the First Nations Health Plan. Another priority is
to fulfill our commitment to build 5,000 net new residential care beds and assisted living units; we have now built over 2,500
net new beds and we will complete our 5,000 bed commitment by the end of 2008. We will also continue to work to enhance mental
health and addiction services, reduce waiting times for surgeries, particularly for hip and knee replacements, and ensure
that our hospital emergency departments serve people in a timely manner. In addition, we will continue to expand educational
and recruitment programs to ensure there are enough health professionals and health workers to help meet the needs of British Columbians
now and in the future.
The Ministry of Health 2007/08 – 2009/10 Service Plan was prepared under my direction in accordance with the Budget Transparency and Accountability Act. I am accountable for the basis on which the plan has been prepared. All material fiscal assumptions and policy decisions as of February 14, 2007 have been considered in preparing the plan and I am accountable for achieving the specific objectives in the plan.
Honourable George Abbott
Minister of Health
February 14, 2007