The provincial government and NL Health Services is adopting principles outlined in the health and education accords and is introducing a new model to improve health services for children and young people.

The new digital approach, unveiled Friday at Daybreak Family and Child Centre in St. John’s, is more integrated to improve coordination and flow of health information.

That includes a two-phase approach starting with a 211 service for parents and caregivers of children and young people, and CorCare, which will be launched in the spring using specific assessment tools to determine what services are needed and an appropriate care plan.

NLHS CEO Dr. Pat Parfrey says the work involved will help patients and their parents navigate the system more efficiently.

“We’re now providing a means to be able to navigate a complicated system that’s been siloed for years. And we’re able to, through 211, navigate the system through the central intake.” He says from there, they can direct children to the services they need, whether it’s social, medical or both. “This is an approach to try to create efficiencies, get rid of wait lists and get the child the service that they need as fast as possible.”