Electronic Health Records are a critical component of the future of health care in Canada.
Electronic records will help improve patient care and reduce health care costs significantly. Patients and medical professionals will have access to a patient’s medical history, including laboratory results, past treatments, prescription drug profiles and immunization records.
The previous Liberal government understood the significance of electronic records and established Canada Health Infoway to develop nationally compatible standards and communication technologies.
With an initial investment of $1.2 billion, Infoway’s goal was to fully implement electronically compatible health records for 50 percent of Canadians by 2010.
Despite building on our initial investment, it appears the Conservative government is failing to provide the necessary leadership to ensure we actually achieve this goal.
Earlier this month, Dr. Jeanne Besner of the Health Council of Canada testified before the Parliamentary Health Committee that the federal government is not on track to meet Infoway’s goal. Data indicates that about 5 percent of Canadians had an interoperable electronic health record as of March 2007, Besner said.
When I personally raised Besner’s concerns with the federal health minister, instead of outlining steps the government would be taking to achieve the goal, Minister Tony Clement chose to criticize the province of Ontario.
The minister’s disappointing response is reflective of this federal government’s preference to attack rather than to work collaboratively with the provinces on shared responsibilities.
The Conservative government has habitually attacked the province of Ontario at any opportunity and by doing so again in this case, they are failing to move forward in a timely way an essential component of the federal Wait Times Strategy.
Their own report on wait times issued in 2006 stated clearly that the sooner electronic records are widely in use “the sooner we will see better management of wait lists and patient care in general.”
The federal government should be stepping up to the plate and providing genuine leadership to ensure Infoway achieves its 50-percent goal. It should also put plans in place so that ultimately 100 percent of Canadians benefit from electronic health records.
Health care is always a top concern for Thornhill residents, particularly wait times, emergency rooms and preparing for the impact of an aging population.
Each of these concerns will be improved by the full and timely implementation of electronic records.
I strongly encourage the Conservative government take the necessary steps to achieve this important goal.
I will continue to press the federal government to fulfill its responsibilities in the best interests of the health of Canadians.
