HALIFAX, NS, Jan. 29, 2025 /CNW/ - As Canada's health ministers meet today and tomorrow, organizations representing the country's nurses and physicians are unanimous: governments must do everything in their powers to support health care workers and keep them caring for patients.
The recent federal interpretation letter is a step in the right direction to encourage collaboration between health providers and incentivise the creation of team-based care. When health professionals work together and fully utilize their knowledge, skills and expertise, they can care for more patients, share workloads, and improve the overall experience for both patients and providers. But there is more work to do to retain and support these dedicated professionals.
The health care system is first and foremost a human resources system, and only a healthy workforce can deliver a healthy system of care. While recruitment is part of the solution, it won't solve the issue on its own. We must take care of the people that are already in the health system so that they can keep caring for Canadians.
We urge health ministers to implement the following solutions:
- Implement team-based care as the main model of primary care across the country, optimizing every health professional's contributions to improve access and patient outcomes
- Work toward eliminating time-consuming and repetitive administrative tasks
- Optimize the use of evolving technologies, such as AI to streamline administrative tasks and enhance patient care
- Connect all point of care to empower patients with their health information and streamline inter-connectiveness between providers
- Support and invest in virtual care within the publicly funded system
- Improve accountability and transparency in the health care system so that Canadians better understand how their health dollars are being spent
While this meeting is critical to advance the country's health care needs, we reiterate the importance for decision makers to keep communication channels open throughout the year in order to build collaborative relationships.
Quotes
"People are the most important element of the health ecosystem. Supporting, retaining and investing in health care workers and helping them thrive at work is crucial to delivering quality care for Canadians. We cannot afford to lose more caregivers."– Dr. Joss Reimer, President, Canadian Medical Association
"Canadians are counting on us to ensure they have the care they need. From the decision makers to the health care providers, we have a responsibility to work together to protect and enhance our public health care system." – Linda Silas, President, Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions
"With six million Canadians lacking access to a regular family doctor, we are at a critical juncture for our health care system. We need bold action to reduce barriers and invest in solutions that make Canada's health care system stronger and more sustainable. "– Dr. Carrie Bernard, President, College of Family Physicians of Canada
"Canada's health system thrives when every health professional works to their full potential within team-based models of care. By working together collaboratively and optimizing skills and collaboration, we can ensure Canadians receive the care they need, when and where they need it." – Dr. Kimberly LeBlanc, President, Canadian Nurses Association
About the CMA
The Canadian Medical Association leads a national movement with physicians who believe in a better future of health. Our ambition is a sustainable, accessible health system where patients are partners, a culture of medicine that elevates equity, diversity and wellbeing, and supportive communities where everyone has the chance to be healthy. We drive change through advocacy, giving and knowledge sharing – guided by values of collaboration and inclusion.
About the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions
The CFNU is Canada's largest nurses' organization, representing frontline unionized nurses and nursing students in every sector of health care – from home care and LTC to community and acute care – and advocating on key priorities to strengthen public health care across the country. We are relentless advocates for the health and safety of our members and the patients that we care for from coast to coast.
About the College of Family Physicians of Canada
The College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) is the professional organization that represents more than 45,000 members across the country. The College establishes the standards for and accredits postgraduate family medicine training in Canada's 17 medical schools. It reviews and certifies continuing professional development programs and materials that enable family physicians to meet certification and licensing requirements. The CFPC provides high-quality services, supports family medicine teaching and research, and advocates on behalf of the specialty of family medicine, family physicians, and the patients they serve.
About the Canadian Nurses Association
The Canadian Nurses Association is the national and global professional voice of Canadian nursing. Our mission is to advance the nursing profession to improve health outcomes in Canada's publicly funded, not-for-profit health system. CNA is the only national association that speaks for all nurses in all sectors and practice settings across all 13 provinces and territories. We represent unionized and non-unionized nurses, retired nurses, nursing students, and all categories of nurses (licensed and registered practical nurses, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, and registered psychiatric nurses).
SOURCE Canadian Medical Association
To schedule an interview or for further information, please contact: CMA Media Relations: [email protected], Elena Gabrysz, 514-839-7296, Eric Lewis, 506-566-1671
Share this article