Moment with the Mayor: Kindersley Health Services Needs Assessment

Hi Neighbours:

There was a good turnout for the release of the Kindersley Health Services Needs Assessment Report on June 11. Council held a Special Meeting of Council at the Elks Hall to hear a summary of the report and then passed a motion to support its recommendations.

Lawrence Beaudry, the lead consultant with Western Management Consultants (WMC), did a terrific presentation.

An implementation plan has been developed. The core of the implementation plan is what is currently termed as the 'Community Advisory Network.' (CAN) The purpose of the network, once it is fully operating, is to provide oversight to the implementation of the recommendations and provide strategic input.

The report outlines the following recommendations:

1     .       Primary Health Care Service Plan – The Heartland Health Region should lead the development of a comprehensive Primary Health Services Plan that builds on the work completed in the PHC Services Assessment Project.

2     .       Priority Service Enhancements – Make targeted investments in selected high priority service areas, including: Women’s Health, Mental Health and Addiction Services, Therapies, Chronic Disease Prevention and Management, Day Surgery and Obstetric Surgical Services.

3     .       Establish and Affirm Governance, Decision-Making, and Accountability Structures

4     .       Review Physician Compensation Model

5     .       Human Resources Recruitment/Retention Strategy

6     .       Performance Measurement and Evaluation

7     .       Stakeholder Engagement and Communications

It is the hope of Councillor McTaggart and I that the Town can step away from health care in 9 months and be assured and confident that the CAN is effectively overseeing the implementation of the recommendations, ensuring the stability and sustainability of the delivery of health services in Kindersley, and providing vision and strategic input. Potential models include Meadow Lake, Cudworth, and Wakaw.

Council’ s motion also requests that the Government of Saskatchewan’s Minister of Health and the Heartland Health Region work cooperatively and expeditiously toward implementing the report’s recommendations.

Please write or phone if you would like me to discuss a particular topic. If you have any questions or comments, drop me a line at the town office or email me at mayorenns-wind@kindersley.ca. You can also check out my blog at http://mayorjohn.blogspot.ca/. I appreciate your feedback.