Canada's nurses and doctors push for national standards in care

VICTORIA, Jan. 16, 2012 /CNW/ - While in Victoria for the Council of the Federation meetings, the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) and the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) welcome the provincial Premiers' commitment to building the best publicly-funded national health care system, an innovation agenda and dialogue with the federal government.

"There should be no have-not Canadians when it comes to health," said Dr. John Haggie, president, CMA. "Canada needs to once again hold its pre-eminent position as a world leader in health and health care. We are heartened by the Council's desire to work with health care providers and include those for whom the system exists - Canadians."

"All levels of government need to make a pan-Canadian, patient-centred, sustainable health-care system a priority," said Dr. Judith Shamian, president, CNA. "Prime Minister Harper says he's willing to work with provinces and territories if they can identify a coordinated approach. We certainly hope the provinces and territories will adopt a common set of health-care reform principles to guide the way for health care in the future. "

As the premiers focus their discussions on their innovation agenda, Canada's doctors and nurses urge them to include the unique perspective of the frontline providers, those who provide health care to Canadians.

"We look forward to both levels of governments working together in providing comparable high-quality levels of health services across the country," said Dr. Haggie. "We want governments to race to the top, not the bottom.  Canadians deserve nothing less," added Dr. Shamian.

Furthermore, to truly transform the health care system, our elected officials must adopt a long-term perspective so that Canadians are the healthiest population and have the best health care system in the world by 2025.

The Canadian Nurses Association is the national professional voice of registered nurses in Canada. A federation of 11 provincial and territorial nursing associations and colleges representing 143,843 registered nurses, CNA advances the practice and profession of nursing to improve health outcomes and strengthen Canada's publicly funded, not-for-profit health system.

The Canadian Medical Association is the national voice of Canadian physicians. Founded in 1867, CMA's mission is to serve and unite the physicians of Canada and be the national advocate, in partnership with the people of Canada, for the highest standards of health and health care. The CMA is a voluntary professional organization representing over 74,000 of Canada's physicians and comprising 12 provincial and territorial medical associations and 51 national medical organizations.

For further information:

or to arrange an interview, please contact:

Kate Headley, External Communications Coordinator
Canadian Nurses Association
Telephone: [phone], ext. 561
Cell: 613-697-7507
E-mail: [e-mail]
Website: www.cna-aiic.ca

Lucie Boileau, Manager, Media Relations 
Canadian Medical Association
Tel: [phone] ext. 1266
Cell: 613-447-0866
E-mail: [e-mail]
Website: www.cma.ca