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External Review of the Federally Funded Pan-Canadian Health Organizations – Implementation Phase

Development of an implementation plan (July - December, 2018)

On March 27, 2018, the report of the external review of the federally funded pan-Canadian health organizations (PCHOs) was released. In it, Drs. PG Forest and Danielle Martin made clear that while these organizations have made significant contributions over the years, the suite of PCHOs needs to be reconfigured and/or remandated in order to meet the needs of Canada's health systems in the future. The report set out four possible scenarios for change, rooted in five major themes: (1) drugs and pharmaceutical policy; (2) data, information, reporting and digital health; (3) quality, innovation and system transformation; (4) partnerships for health; and (5) process improvements.

Recognizing the importance of taking thoughtful and measured action in reconfiguring and/or remandating the suite of organizations, Health Canada has established an Implementation Steering Group (ISG) consisting of three respected Canadian health system leaders: Ms. Leslee Thompson, Dr. Jean-Louis Denis, and Mr. Stéphane Robichaud. The role of the ISG is to develop a proposal and detailed implementation plan for reconfiguring and/or remandating the PCHO suite, building on the work of Drs. Forest and Martin.

The ISG will be undertaking this work over the summer and fall of 2018, with the forward path to be announced by the Minister in early 2019.

Related information

About the ISG members

Background on the External Review

On October 3, 2017, the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, federal Minister of Health, launched an external review of the eight federally funded pan-Canadian health organizations (PCHOs). This review will be undertaken by two recognized health policy experts, Dr. Pierre-Gerlier Forest and Dr. Danielle Martin. They have been asked to explore the future role of these organizations in light of a number of critical challenges and priorities facing the health system.

The PCHOs have provided a national leadership role on a broad range of pan-Canadian health care priorities. With a renewed federal interest in health care, now is an opportune time to explore how this suite of organizations can best advance federal and pan-Canadian health care goals in the future.

Over the fall and early winter, the external advisors will conduct a forward-looking, evidence-based review and will engage with representatives of the PCHOs and other interested parties, such as provincial and territorial governments and experts. A summary report of their key findings will be made public in spring 2018.

Individuals and organizations interested in sharing their views with the external advisors will be welcome to submit written input in response to key questions being considered by the advisors. Information on how to share your views will be posted here in the coming days.

In the meantime, enquiries on this review can be directed to the Health Canada Secretariat supporting the external review.

  • Update: March 27, 2018

    The final report is now available.

  • Update: October 12, 2017

    Interested individuals and organizations are now able to provide input on the issues under review. For the key questions on which the advisors are interested in hearing your views and instructions on how to submit written input, please go to the Guidelines and Questions for Stakeholders. The period for consultations will close at 11:59 pm EST on November 24, 2017.

  • Update: October 25, 2017

    The external advisors have now had their first meeting with the Reference Group. The membership includes:

    • Ewan Affleck
    • Nadine Caron
    • Jean-Louis Denis
    • Dennis Kendel
    • Gregory Marchildon
    • Kimberlyn McGrail
    • Jim Mitchell
    • Stephanie Ngo
    • Ingrid Sketris
    • Milton Sussman
    • Holly Witteman
    • Jennifer Zelmer
  • Update: January 11, 2018

    The consultation phase that launched on October 12, 2017 is now closed. Thank you to all who took the time to provide input as part of this process. To date, the external advisors have conducted interviews with over 130 individuals and organizations and received over 160 written submissions from provincial and territorial representatives, stakeholders and the public. This input will be carefully considered in the weeks ahead.

    The external advisors have now formally begun their deliberations and the drafting of the report, with a view to concluding their work over the next few months.

Related information

About the external advisors

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