News Release
2009-44
March 18, 2009
For immediate release
SAINT JOHN, N.B. - The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, federal Minister of Health, and the Honourable Michael Murphy, Minister of Health for New Brunswick, today announced further progress on the Patient Wait Times Guarantee with support being provided for a pilot project in New Brunswick aimed at reducing wait times for radiation therapy.
The project, which began in March 2008, uses a patient-centred approach involving both of the province's cancer centres and the New Brunswick Cancer Network which will help meet individual needs and circumstances. It uses information technology to better track patients' progress and to facilitate them receiving radiation therapy in a timely manner.
The Government of Canada is investing more than $1 billion towards the advancement of Patient Wait Time Guarantees which will facilitate the best outcomes for patients by offering alternate care options where wait times are exceeded. This includes up to $30 million for pilot projects that will support provinces and territories in testing innovative approaches to Patient Wait Time Guarantees.
Today's $5 million investment in reducing waiting times for radiation therapy, made at the Radiation Oncology Centre at the Saint John Regional Hospital, complements other pilot projects that are underway. In total ten projects in eight jurisdictions are being implemented across the country under the Patient Wait Time Guarantee Pilot Project Fund. They are contributing to further progress in the government's ongoing commitment to ensure timely access to health care. Strengthening health care is a long-term challenge that requires a combination of leadership, partnership and foresight from all of us -- patients, health care providers and governments.
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Media Enquiries:
Health Canada
(613) 957-2983
Josée Bellemare
Office of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq
Federal Minister of Health
(613) 957-0200
Meghan Cumby
New Brunswick Department of Health
457-3522
Public Enquiries:
(613) 957-2991
1-866 225-0709
