Health Minister Dustin Duncan named a three person advisory panel on Thursday that will be tasked with recommending changes to the boundaries of Regional Health Authorities (RHA) across Saskatchewan.
“I want to be clear: while panel members will provide advice that will lead to fewer health regions and less administration, the overall goal of this is to continue to improve front line patient care for Saskatchewan residents,” Duncan said in a statement.
The panel members are from across the province, and have expertise in a diverse range of healthcare related fields.
The panel members are:
- President and CEO of Pinnacle Financial Services and former chairperson of the Cypress Regional Health Authority Tyler Bragg (Swift Current)
- CEO of the Physician Recruitment Agency of Saskatchewan Dr. Dennis Kendel (Saskatoon)
- Chairperson of the Prince Albert Parkland Regional Health Authority Brenda Abrametz (Prince Albert)
In addition to RHA boundaries other items up for review include RHA board structures and accountability, services that could be delivered more efficiently, and identifying ways to enhance how health system performance is measured.
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No specific time frame was given on how long it will be before the panel brings forward its recommendations, but Duncan said the panel is hoping to avoid a “drawn out” process.
Consultations will be held with stakeholders like healthcare providers and union groups. The general public can write in submissions as well.
Dr. Kendel said one of the main goals of the panel will be looking at ways to provide better value for the people of Saskatchewan, and how best to redirect resources.
“Things like infrastructure, how many regions do you have and the cost inherent in that. It’s possible that on examination there could be cost savings and you can take some of that money and apply it to new opportunities,” Kendel said.
He added that the panel will also build on existing work, such as examining on how best to use resources such as diagnostic imaging like MRIs.
“Quite frankly, in some instances with some modalities as many as 30 per cent of those studies may not be appropriate,” he said.
“It’s not that people are doing them with malintent, it’s just that we don’t keep abreast of the changing science.”
NDP Health Critic Danielle Chartier said the panel is made of capable individuals, but takes issue with the government’s track record on consultation in past health initiatives like Lean.
“It’s my hope that they will be given the proper mandate and time to consult with the regions, front-line health workers, and people of the province, instead of just being used as justification for a pre-determined conclusion,” she said.
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