From 4 to 1: Regional health authorities to be folded into single board
CBC
The 2022 Newfoundland and Labrador provincial budget included sweeping changes to health care — but it isn't yet clear how those changes will affect patients.
Newfoundland and Labrador spends more per capita on health care than any other province, and it will spend even more this year. The government plans to spend about $3.4 billion on health care in 2022, representing 38 per cent of this year's budget.
All four regional health authorities are being integrated into one, which will govern the whole province. During her budget speech, Finance Minister Siobhan Coady said the amalgamation is being done to avoid duplication and provide consistency.
"It will improve decision-making with streamlined processes, effective reporting structures, data management and accountability," she said.
The 2021 report by the premier's economic recovery team recommended integrating Eastern Health, Central Health, Western Health and Labrador-Grenfell Health into one provincewide health authority, but this is the first concrete step in that direction.
Health Minister John Haggie said Thursday the amalgamation will take 12-18 months, and most of the changes will involve administration, rather than front-line workers.
"This is about back end. This is not about health-care provision at the front end," Haggie said.
PC opposition health critic Tony Wakeham, former CEO of Labrador-Grenfell Health, said the government needs to ensure the new provincial health authority doesn't neglect rural parts of the province, particularly Labrador.
"It's critical that Labrador be recognized for the uniqueness and the challenges that it has in terms of health-care delivery," Wakeham said.
Interim NDP Leader Jim Dinn said he isn't convinced the amalgamation will save money in the long run.
"It's going to come down to the devil in the details. What do you mean by efficiencies? And how is that money going to be reinvested?" Dinn said.
Haggie did not say where the new health authority will be headquartered, but said it will emphasize local input.
"As an MHA from an area outside of the Avalon and having spent several decades in health care myself, that is something I want to make sure to address up front in the governance structure."
Haggie said the CEOs of the regional health authorities were told about the amalgamation on Wednesday evening — and they saw the changes coming. He said the Health Department will be looking for a new CEO to govern the new provincial health authority.
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