How can we preserve and protect the Canadian healthcare system for future generations? The Honourable Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care with the Government of Ontario, outlined a three-point plan at an Economic Club of Canada breakfast this morning.
1. Make healthcare more locally driven and better integrated
Matthews pointed to a Toronto initiative involving long-stay patients—those who were admitted to hospital and weren’t able to leave, due to a lack of external support—as an example. This initiative got 37 people out of the hospital and into a more appropriate care situation, saving an estimated $27 million. She also described a Kingston program, in which the local health network helped a group of seniors get access to services such as a supper club, an exercise group and an onsite personal support worker. “That kind of integration just could not happen from around the boardroom at Queen’s Park,” she said, adding that she hopes for a similarly integrated strategy around mental health.
2. Make healthcare more outcome-focused and evidence-based
Matthews cited the Excellent Care for All Act, which aims to put patients first and focus on practices with demonstrable results—for example, investing in preventative measures such as breast cancer screening, smoking cessation and vaccines. ‘It’s not enough to provide care; we have to provide the highest-quality care,” she declared.
3. Take advantage of opportunities in technology through eHealth
Despite significant challenges with e-Health to date, Matthews believes that technology will play a major role in shaping healthcare delivery in the future. “Healthcare tomorrow is going to be connected,” she predicted, “The potential of eHealth is staggering, and we have barely scratched the surface.” Matthews outlined a recent project to share CT scans electronically, explaining that it “transfers images so we don’t have to transfer patients.” While the project implementation cost was more than $2 million, it has so far saved $50 million through avoidance of unnecessary hospital-to-hospital transfers, she noted. “That’s value for money. That’s better care for patients.”
Matthews also expressed her ongoing support for the Canadian healthcare system, which was built on the foundation that we have a collective responsibility to help those who are ill to get the care they need. “Universal healthcare has changed our world for the better.”