Proposed changes to Regional Health Authorities Act worrisome

Bathurst, Wednesday, November 22, 2017 – Vitalité Health Network is very concerned by the changes proposed by the Government to the Regional Health Authorities Act as part of its Bill 5, An Act Respecting Extra-Mural Services.

The Government is taking the legislative route to grant itself rights and responsibilities it does not currently have and that are devolved upon regional health authorities.

According to the Chairperson of the Network’s Board of Directors, Michelyne Paulin, the Government is taking the legislative route to grant itself rights and responsibilities it does not currently have and that are devolved upon regional health authorities. “It is clear to us that the steps being taken to privatize the Extra-Mural Program will weaken the governance authority of our Board of Directors and the Network’s responsibilities with regards to health care administration and delivery,” she stated. “We are therefore very preoccupied and disappointed with the turn of events in this entire issue of privatization, especially since we were just informed that Premier Brian Gallant declined our request to meet him in person,” she added.

Ms. Paulin is particularly concerned about the potential repercussions of Bill 5 on the entire health system because of its very broad definition of extra-mural services. According to the bill, these services will include:

  • Occupational therapy services in schools, daycares and outpatient settings;
  • Physiotherapy services in schools, daycares and outpatient settings;
  • Services for medical assistance in dying;
  • Specialized therapeutic and nursing services;
  • Nursing services;
  • Occupational therapy services;
  • Physiotherapy services;
  • Clinical nutrition services;
  • Respiratory therapy services;
  • Social work services;
  • Speech-language pathology services for persons with a health care need requiring provision of the services in their home setting.

These services are essential to the health care continuum that we provide and want to continue to provide to our population, both in hospital settings and at home. “The Network needs to keep their administration to maintain accountability from all stakeholders,” Ms. Paulin concluded.

We need to realize that the proposed changes are not only opening the door to Medavie to privatize the Extra-Mural Program. Based on the proposed bill, any ‘person’ under an agreement with the Minister of Health will therefore be able to provide health care services. This time, it is Medavie. Which company will be next?

The Network also regrets that changes are being made to the Act without the regional health authorities being consulted and without a public debate with the population. “Decisions that have an impact on the province’s entire health system seem to be made right from the top and without taking into consideration the opinion of those immediately concerned,” stated Gilles Lanteigne, President and CEO of the Network. “We need to realize that the proposed changes are not only opening the door to Medavie to privatize the Extra-Mural Program. Based on the proposed bill, any ‘person’ under an agreement with the Minister of Health will therefore be able to provide health care services. This time, it is Medavie. Which company will be next?” added Mr. Lanteigne.