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We are pleased to announce the publication of Excellence in Canada’s Health System — Principles for Governance, Management, Accountability and Shared Responsibility. This publication is the result of a joint initiative of CCAF and the Canadian Healthcare Association.
Members will have received an UPDATE Bulletin relating to this joint project last year, as CCAF and CHA entered into a consultation phase with their respective memberships in relation to an earlier discussion paper that has now led to this publication.
Canada’s health system, its current positioning and its future direction are the focus of significant national discussion. The importance of this discussion, and its evolution, is underlined and punctuated by several studies and events. Among them: the Romanow and Kirby reports; the insightful research and analysis work of many non-profit organizations; and, major policy institutional, resource decisions taken by governments. How the system and its parts are governed — and how accountability to the public is demonstrated — are key aspects of this discussion.
This publication outlines a set of principles to guide thinking and practice in relation to the governance, management and accountability of the health system. It seeks to support the efforts of the wide range of stakeholders to work together and to achieve excellence in providing adequate, timely and cost-effective health services to the Canadian public. It is addressed to those who most directly influence how health services are planned, delivered and evaluated. It seeks to contribute to the current national discussion about these matters — and to the actions that will follow from this discussion.
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PRINCIPLES FOR GOVERNANCE, MANAGEMENT AND ACCOUNTABILITY —
- Canada’s health system is best served by coherent direction, informed decision-making and clear goals that are shared among those responsible for making decisions.
- The health system’s ability to achieve its strategic direction depends on having the necessary leadership and resource capacity.
- Health system partners need to understand, explain and manage the risks associated with providing or not providing a particular health service.
- Health system partners need to demonstrate commitment to public transparency and accountability. They do this by explaining to, and involving the public in, what they plan to do, how well the system is performing, and the implications of both.
- Health services need to be managed within a framework of articulated ethics and values that is communicated and understood within organizations and across the system.
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PRINCIPLES FOR SHARING RESPONSIBILITY IN THE SYSTEM —
- Health system partners need to understand their roles and responsibilities – and governance and management arrangements and practices need to be in place to support the effective discharge of their duties.
- The conditions under which one partner gives direction to another need to be clear to all parties. Mechanisms for giving direction, and the conditions under which they are used, need to be explicit and understood by all parties.
- The processes for appointing or electing individuals need to be predictable, easy to understand and transparent, and result in effective governing bodies.
- Procedures for approving plans and budgets need to be clear and respectful of the legitimate interests of all parties.
- Health system partners should have the information they need to fulfill their respective roles and responsibilities. The principles and standards for providing information and reporting on performance also need to be clear and understood.
- Health system partners need to set clear conditions and criteria governing their respective rights and responsibilities. They also need to provide for validation of the performance information reported by and to each other.
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If you would like further information relating to this publication or the Foundation’s other research activities, please contact:
David Moynagh
Director of Research
Tel: (613) 241-6713 ext. 229
Email: dmoynagh@ccaf-fcvi.com
or
Michael Eastman
Executive Director
Tel: (613) 241-6713 ext. 232
Email: meastman@ccaf-fcvi.com
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