CAOT-BC represented BC occupational therapists at the 12th Annual Healthcare Conference: Western Canadian Summit: Bending the Cost Curve through Innovation, on June 18-19, 2012 in Kelowna, BC.
The recurring themes of the conference were simple, the current health system is unsustainable and that changes must occur in the near future that lead to a sustainable system with patient-focused funding. Other key themes included prevention and early management of chronic health conditions, improving poulation health, enhancing patient and provider experiences and reducing the cost of providing health care.
Speakers at the conference were key leaders and decision makers in the Western provinces and included Graham Whitmarsh (Deputy Minister of Health, Province of British Columbia), Norm Letnick (MLA Kelowna, and Chair, Standing Committee on Health), Chris Mazurkewich (COO, Alberta Health Services) and Susan Antosh (CEO, eHealth Sasakatchewan), to name a few.
I was fortunate enough to meet and speak with both the Deputy Minister of Health and the Chair of the Standing Committee on Health and will be following up with both of them regarding how the occupational therapy community can work with government to provide feedback on the BC government's Health System Strategy Map as well as provide education about how occupational therapy is a key health profession that must be included in the plan for the benefit of all British Columbians. I will post details of communcations to and from these departments in upcoming blog postings.
In the meantime, I encourage all occupational therapists to review the BC government website www.thinkhealthbc.ca . Download and review the "Innovation and Change Agenda" and enter the "Discussions" link to post your own ideas and suggestions. This is an excellent opportunity to advocate for our profession and if you do post on this website, please copy your feedback and add it to the comments section of this blog topic so that other therapists can see what messages we are sending to the government.
-Giovanna
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