Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan Announce Significant Investments to Improve Health Care for Patients in Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan Centre for Patient-Oriented Research to improve patient care in the province
SASKATOON, SK, April 18, 2017 /CNW/ - Canadians benefit from a health care system that is responsive to their unique health needs, which is why investments in research targeted to advance patient care are essential.
The Honourable Jane Philpott, Canada's Minister of Health, and Jim Reiter, Saskatchewan's Minister of Health, today announced a major investment in research to improve patient care in Saskatchewan. The Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan announced a combined investment of $63 million in funding and in-kind contributions for the launch of the Saskatchewan Centre for Patient-Oriented Research (SCPOR).
The Saskatchewan Centre for Patient-Oriented Research is a partnership of provincial organizations that provides resources and education in support of patient-oriented research to improve health care services for the people of Saskatchewan. The Saskatchewan Centre will collaborate with its counterparts in other provinces and territories to create a pan-Canadian platform for supporting patient-oriented research through the sharing of information and best practices.
The Saskatchewan Centre for Patient-Oriented Research was developed under Canada's Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR), a pan-Canadian coalition of partners from the public and private sector – all dedicated to the integration of research into care. SPOR is led by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.
Quotes
"I strongly believe that innovation is essential to improving health care. Through initiatives such as the Saskatchewan Centre for Patient-Oriented Research, we are promoting innovation which not only helps to strengthen and grow the middle class, but fosters collaboration, and helps ensure that we address the health care needs of people from Saskatchewan."
-Jane Philpott
Canada's Minister of Health
"The new Saskatchewan Centre for Patient-Oriented Research will support our government's priorities, including improved access to appropriate mental health and addictions services, and better health outcomes for Saskatchewan's Indigenous people. This partnership will help advance our efforts to put our patients first."
-Jim Reiter
Saskatchewan Health Minister
"The investment we are making today will lead to real, tangible improvements in health care that will result in better health for patients, families, and communities across Saskatchewan. Research centres like this one in Saskatchewan are great examples of the power of harnessing partnerships to deliver patient-centered care to Canadians."
-Michel Perron
Vice-President, External Affairs and Business Development, Canadian Institutes of Health Research
"Having the patient at the centre of care or research is a fairly new initiative that has been much talked about. SCPOR makes this happen, so that patients, researchers, clinicians and policy makers come together to design solutions that will positively change care and the health care system for all Saskatchewan peoples."
-Helen Kenyon
Executive Director, Saskatchewan Centre for Patient-Oriented Research (SCPOR)
"This major investment in patient-oriented research will improve the health and care of Saskatchewan people, and in particular will make a difference in Indigenous communities by ensuring that they are part of the research planning from the start."
-Dr. Peter Stoicheff
President, University of Saskatchewan
"The University of Regina is excited to be a part of SCPOR because patient-oriented research is crucial to our scholarship. Our capacity to work with people across the province to improve health outcomes spans our entire institution and we are particularly well positioned to address SCPOR's first research priority: mental health and addictions, areas where we have an established reputation for high impact research and excellence."
-Dr. David Malloy
Vice-President (Research), University of Regina
"Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF) values patient-oriented research as part of our strategic goal to invest in high-impact health research aligned with provincial needs. We are committed to funding truly collaborative teams which will have measurable impacts for patients, families and caregivers."
-Patrick Odnokon
Interim CEO, Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation
"We are delighted to participate in the SCPOR initiative and contribute to the advancement of patient-oriented research. Our faculty are excited to engage patients and families in collaborative research that is focused on improving the quality of care and health outcomes for the citizens of Saskatchewan."
-Dr. Netha Dyck
Dean of the Schools of Nursing and Health Sciences, Saskatchewan Polytechnic
"SCPOR creates opportunities for researchers, patients, health care providers and administrators to collaborate in developing and evaluating evidence-informed improvements to health care. SCPOR is a partnership of health system and academic organizations focused on providing a stronger scientific basis for policy and practice changes within areas prioritized for improvement by the health system."
-Dr. Gary Teare
CEO, Saskatchewan Health Quality Council and co-chair of SCPOR Host Council
"eHealth is committed to engaging with patients on an ongoing basis to improve our programs and services. We are pleased to continue to collaborate with SCPOR and to be a part of patient-oriented research to improve patient care in the province."
-Susan Antosh, CEO, eHealth Saskatchewan
Quick Facts
- SCPOR includes an important Indigenous research and engagement expertise platform which provides guidance and support for researchers working in the area of Indigenous health and ensures Indigenous communities are empowered research partners. Members of Indigenous communities will help identify research needs and priorities. They will also help ensure the research is culturally responsive, informed by Indigenous ways of knowing, and supports the improvement of Indigenous health outcomes.
- The Saskatchewan centre's current focus is on mental health and addictions, in line with provincial and federal health priorities. It also supports other areas of patient-oriented research.
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- Backgrounder
Associated Links
- Canada's Strategy on Patient-Oriented Research
- Saskatchewan Centre for Patient-Oriented Research (SCPOR)
At the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) we know that research has the power to change lives. As Canada's health research investment agency, we collaborate with partners and researchers to support the discoveries and innovations that improve our health and strengthen our health care system.
BACKGROUNDER
Saskatchewan Centre for Patient-Oriented Research
The Saskatchewan Centre for Patient-Oriented Research (SCPOR) was developed under Canada's Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR) with support from the Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan, as well as eight Saskatchewan organizations. SCPOR is one of nine provincial/territorial centres currently funded by the SPOR initiative to build provincial and national capacity for patient-oriented research.
SCPOR includes an important Indigenous research and engagement expertise platform which provides guidance and support for researchers working in the area of Indigenous health and ensures Indigenous communities are empowered research partners. Members of Indigenous communities will help identify research needs and priorities. They will also help ensure the research is culturally responsive, informed by Indigenous ways of knowing, and supports the improvement of Indigenous health outcomes.
While SCPOR provides support for all kinds of patient-oriented research, its current focus is on mental health and addictions. Other SCPOR projects underway include nutrition in long-term care residences, and dementia in rural Saskatchewan.
To ensure research meets the needs of Saskatchewan people, patients will be engaged throughout the research process - from deciding on the research question to sharing results within their communities.
SCPOR's main office is located at the University of Saskatchewan.
Funding and In-Kind Support
- Canadian Institutes of Health Research: $31,350,000
- Government of Saskatchewan and other provincial partners: $31,350,000
- Total: $62,700,000 over five years
Partners
SCPOR has partnered with the Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan, as well as eight Saskatchewan organizations to support, streamline and increase patient-oriented research throughout Saskatchewan. These organizations contribute both funds and in-kind contributions:
- University of Saskatchewan
- eHealth Saskatchewan
- Saskatchewan Health Quality Council
- Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation
- Saskatoon Health Region
- Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region
- University of Regina
- Saskatchewan Polytechnic
About SPOR
SPOR is a national initiative led by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). It is about ensuring that the right patient receives the right intervention at the right time. It is a pan-Canadian coalition of partners from the public and private sector – all dedicated to the integration of research into care. SPOR moves the very best health research innovations into the front lines of health care.
SOURCE Canadian Institutes of Health Research
For further information: Andrew MacKendrick, Office of the Honourable Jane Philpott, Minister of Health, 613-957-0200; Media Relations, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, 613-941-4563, [email protected]; Barbara Colvin, Saskatchewan Centre for Patient-Oriented Research, 306-966-1733, [email protected]
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