Blog

Mr. Speaker, I wish to inform the house that a new Office of Health System Renewal is being established. This new office will provide focused leadership and accelerate efforts to build a sustainable health care system that will support an enhanced quality of life in New Brunswick. 

 

Rino Volpé, former chair of the boards of directors of the Vitalité Health Network and the New Brunswick Health Council; and John McGarry, former Chief Executive Officer of the River Valley Health Authority, will be the co-leads of this new office.

 

Mr. Speaker, these very capable and experienced individuals will be mandated to lead change and deliver results. The Department of Health currently demands about 40 per cent of the province’s overall budget and is predicted to continue to rise. It is imperative to act now to increase efficiency and accountability, streamline administration, and adopt health innovations.  

 

The system-wide change will be fuelled through collaboration with established boards, agencies, organizations and health service providers.  

 

The Office will be working under the direct authority of Premier David Alward and has a mandate from me as the Minister of Health. The co-leads will work directly with the Deputy Minister of Health, CEOs and chairs of the four key health agencies and representatives of the health service providers.

 

The initial priorities identified through the government renewal process are:

 

• Organizational review leading to management efficiencies within the health care system

• Monitoring the regional health authorities’ progress in implementing the cost per weighted case initiative

• Review of shared services including participation in a feasibility study of integrating FacilicorpNB operations with the new Department of Government Services

• Identification and implementation of health innovations and best practices most promising to health renewal in NB

• Monitoring and accountability for health renewal results         

 

Mr. Speaker, I also wish to advise the members of the house that Paul Couturier has been appointed chair of Vitalité Health Network's board of directors, effective immediately. Mr. Couturier has extensive experience as a manager in the private sector and in the health care field. He is presently the executive director of a nursing home in the Edmundston area.

 

In closing Mr. Speaker, I wish to thank Misters Volpé, McGarry and Couturier for their support and interest in our province’s health care system. It is a system that all New Brunswickers cherish and it is imperative that we find ways to make it sustainable for future generations of New Brunswickers. 

 

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.