Health sector releases new strategic plan

The newly formed NL Health Services has released a oneyear roadmap aimed at addressing four strategic issues in the provincial health-care system.

A strategic plan released by the four amalgamated regional health-care authorities outlines the plans to improve the quality and accessibility of health-care delivery across the province.

“The strategic plan being presented is a one-year plan and represents the immediate work identified as we establish a single provincial health authority while simultaneously continuing all healthcare services throughout the province,” said chair Robert Andrews in a news release.

One of the issues being addressed first is modernizing health services to fit the future needs of the population.

The authority is looking to re-design its organizational structure and implement a more digitally reliant system for more efficient and collaborative data tracking by April 2024.

Staffing issues are also on the table, with an increased focus on physician recruitment and retention, especially in category B emergency rooms and working with unions to form transition agreements.

Next, NL Health Services hopes to improve access to care in underserved and rural communities by re-designing how community and hospitalbased services are delivered, with an April 2024 goal of improved online booking and cancellation navigation and more programs using the online booking service.

The overall quality of health care is also under the microscope, with a forthcoming quality action plan to ensure anyone receiving care currently is getting the correct service in the right place at the right time.

"As we transition to years two and three of this planning cycle, we will solidify our organizational strategy based on continued and extensive engagement with our staff and partners,” said Andrews.

“The challenges before us are enormous, but we are confident that the professionalism and talent of our workforce makes us more than up to the task.”