TORONTO (June 10, 2019) – Canada’s health leaders gathered at National Health Leadership Conference (NHLC) in Toronto today to dig into the critical health system issues that need to be addressed by federal, provincial and municipal governments and decision-makers to transform the health system.
Former Quebec Premier Dr. Philippe Couillard cited the need to create a national, universal insurance program for prescription pharmaceuticals through a negotiated improvement of the current public/private mix as a priority issue to be addressed to improve the health of Canadians.
Julie Drury, Chair of the Patient and Family Advisory Council at the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, focused on the need for a federal digital health strategy and increasing patient involvement and leadership in health system transformation.
Dr. Danielle Martin, Executive Vice-President and Chief Medical Executive at the Women’s College Hospital and author of the book “Six Big Ideas to Improve Health Care” called on decision-makers to step up initiatives to address the social determinants of health through measures such as creating a guaranteed basic income for Canadians.
“The spirited debate that took place here at the NHLC is the kind of discussion Canadians need to see from their decision-makers and parliamentarians,” said Paul-Émile Cloutier, President and CEO of HealthCareCAN, the national voice of action for healthcare organizations and hospitals. “With the federal election looming, we need our political leaders to engage with patients, care providers, health leaders and the general public in a dialogue on how best to transform the health system for future generations.”
“Our conference’s debate provides health leaders with an engaging platform to drive system-wide changes and improvements to healthcare services,” said Alain Doucet, President and CEO of the Canadian College of Health Leaders, a national, member-driven, non-profit association that strives to provide the leadership development, tools, knowledge and networks that members need to become high impact leaders in Canadian healthcare.
The 2019 Great Canadian Healthcare Debate, moderated by André Picard, Health Reporter and Columnist for The Globe and Mail, showcases patient, clinician, health leader and political perspectives on the areas each debater believes to be crucial to ensuring an effective, accessible and sustainable health system for current and future generations.
NHLC is the largest national gathering of health system decision-makers in Canada, including representatives from health regions, authorities and alliances; hospitals; long-term care organizations; public health agencies; community care; mental health and social services; government, education and research organizations; professional associations; and consulting firms and industry. More than 700 health leaders attended this year’s event. For more information, visit www.nhlc-cnls.ca.
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Media contact:
Steve Wharry, Communications Lead, National Health Leadership Conference
613-241-8004 x205 │ cell: 613-761-8400 | swharry@healthcarecan.dev2.inter-vision.ca
