The province’s Health Minister says the main aim of the Health Accord was how to improve quality and access to health care, especially in rural Newfoundland and Labrador.
The Health Accord released its recommendations on changes to the health care system, but none of the province’s 23 health centres are facing closure.
Instead, changes are being recommended that will improve access to primary care, providing the best possible care depending on geographic location and ready access to a range of health care needs.
Minister John Haggie says the recommendations are focused on meeting the needs of patients when they need them, rather than having to rely on emergency room care.
The challenge now says Haggie is determining how much government investment can be made, and how fast it can happen, to start the change.