Saskatchewan Government's Patient First Review
The Patient First Review that was released on October 15, 2009 provides the new framework for the future of health care in Saskatchewan. The report made 16 recommendations of a “more patient-centered system that delivers better value to taxpayers.” The aim is to “make the Patient First philosophy a reality in every workplace.”
At the October 21, 2009, Throne Speech, the government announced it has already begun to take action on the Patient First recommendations. Their plan of eliminating the surgical backlog has been introduced to shorten surgical wait times in the province to three months over the next four years.
In order to guide this work the Ministry has formed two working groups: The Executive Sponsorship Group and Guiding Coalition. SUN was invited to participate on both of these committees. Debbie Prevost, Regina Base Hospital Representative, SUN Board of Directors, has been appointed to the Guiding Coalition and Larry LeMoal to the Executive Sponsorship Group. SUN’s presence on the Executive Sponsorship Group and Guiding Coalition, and our front line work as a Union, provides us with a tremendous opportunity to be part of decisions at a senior level.
Other related initiatives of the Ministry and Employers that are taking place in and outside of the SUN/Government Partnership table include Releasing Time to Care™, Quality as a Business Strategy and Research to Action (the nurse-patient ratio project in the Saskatoon Health Region). All of these provide opportunities for SUN to advance the role of RNs/RPNs/RN(NP)s coordinating patient centered care.
At a meeting with Dan Florizone, Deputy Minister of Health, SUN received a presentation of the Ministry’s strategic directions for the health sector. We were advised the Patient First Review had been the basis of the strategic directions and was the framework to transform the health care system. The focus of this strategic direction will be on the health of the individual, providers, sustainability and the health of the population. RHAs and agencies will be aligned with these strategic focus areas. The Ministry has indicated that in order to achieve their strategic directions, targets will be set for employers to achieve.
In order for SUN to provide members with support during this fast paced change, and to ensure that SUN continues to be an integral part of the health care system, the SUN Board of Directors determined the need to provide senior support for this work. As a result, the previous Government Relations/Strategic Analyst position in SUN was converted to Director, Patients and Families First & Government Relations and is headed by Lawrence (Larry) LeMoal.
There has been a lot of patient, public and government support to solve the nursing shortage. We have started to do just that through the SUN/Government Partnership. Now it is time for SUN to dedicate resources to support our members as we work to ensure that patients are getting the care they need.
Patient First Report: http://www.health.gov.sk.ca/patient-first-commissioners-report
Report on the Patient Experience: http://www.health.gov.sk.ca/Default.aspx?DN=435c79e0-67cf-47ff-a8e0-b5149de16db8
