Government of Canada awards U of S $1,196,000 to foster team approach to health care

Posted May 30, 2005


The following release was issued by the Government of Canada.

Government of Canada awards U of S $1,196,000 to foster team approach to
health care

SASKATOON - On May 27, Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh announced a federal
contribution of $1,196,000 over three years to the University of
Saskatchewan to help foster a team approach to health care.

The University will develop a program to train future health care
professionals to work in teams in the areas of mental health in children,
the transition of elders from hospital to community, chronic illness in
middle-aged adults, and community health in Aboriginal communities.

"The training developed with this funding will teach future health care
providers from different disciplines to work together to meet patient's
needs," said Minister Dosanjh. "This approach is expected to give the people
of Saskatchewan better access to care from the appropriate professional at
the appropriate time, and help to reduce wait times. It is also expected to
enhance patient satisfaction and safety."

The interprofessional education program at the University will involve
students in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, nutrition, education, physical
therapy, psychology, social work, environmental studies and early childhood
education. Practice settings from across the province will also be involved
including Saskatoon, Regina Qu'Appelle and Prince Albert Parkland Health
Regions, Battlefords Tribal Council and Student Wellness Initiative Toward
Community Health.

"I have no doubt that this project will ultimately improve the health of
communities, families and individuals across the province," said Minister
Dosanjh. The project will lead to the sharing of best practices and increase
the number of health care professionals who have been exposed to
interprofessional education, he noted.

The University of Saskatchewan project is one of 11 projects across the
country to which Health Canada is contributing $13 million under the
Interprofessional Education for Collaborative Patient-Centred Practice
initiative. It is part of the Pan-Canadian Health Human Resources Strategy,
which also includes initiatives to improve health human resources planning
and increase the recruitment and retention of needed health care providers.

The strategy is consistent with the commitment to renew the health care
workforce which First Ministers made last September in the Ten-Year Plan to
Strengthen Health Care. The Strategy annually allocates $20 million in
federal funding to create a stable health care workforce with the right
number and mix of health professionals, and a renewed and revitalized health
system which provides care to Canadians when they need it, wherever they
live in this country.

-30-

Media Enquiries:
Adele Blanchard
Office of Minister Dosanjh
Minister of Health
(613) 957-0200

Public Enquiries:
(613) 957-2991