2003/04 – 2005/06 SERVICE PLAN Ministry of Health Planning

Core Businesses

The two Ministries of Health share three core businesses:

• Stewardship and Corporate Management
• Services Delivered by Ministry, and
• Services Delivered by Partners

Core Businesses for the Ministries of Health

This service plan is structured around the two core businesses for which the Ministry of Health Planning has direct responsibility: "Stewardship and Corporate Management" and "Services Delivered by Ministry" in relation to the Vital Statistics Agency. For reporting brevity, the remaining core business "Services Delivered by Partners" is reported only in the Ministry of Health Services Service Plan. However, the reader is reminded that the strategies shown under stewardship and corporate management in this service plan are intended to support our partners in achieving the 15 health system priority strategies discussed under "Services Delivered by Partners" and "Services Delivered by Ministry" in the Ministry of Health Services Service Plan. These 15 priority strategies for the health system are also listed on page 5 of this plan.

Resource Summary by Core Business

Ministry Structure

To fulfill its stewardship function the Ministry of Health Planning is organized under the following areas:

Planning, Policy and Legislation

This division, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health Services, health authorities, providers, and others, develops planning approaches and tools, policy, legislation and intergovernmental positions to strengthen health system management. The division also establishes the broad accountability framework for the entire health system, develops specific standards for quality and access and leads the planning of health human resources.

Strategic Change Initiatives

This division develops long-term plans in collaboration with health authorities and other key providers. It also oversees specific projects designed to improve quality, access or efficiency. Working with staff from both Ministries of Health, other ministries of government, health care providers, administrators and researchers, the division leads planning initiatives, undertakes time-limited management projects and provides project management expertise for all areas of the health ministries.

Office of the Provincial Health Officer (PHO)/Population Health and Wellness

The functions and duties of the Provincial Health Officer, detailed in the Health Act, stem from its central role of watching over the health of British Columbians. It provides independent advice to government on health issues, monitors and reports on the health of the people of B.C., identifies the need for legislation or a change of policy or practice respecting health in British Columbia, and works with regional medical health officers and the B.C. Centre for Disease Control to fulfill their legislated health protection and disease control mandates. The information the office collects also feeds into the ministry's long-term planning and strategic change initiatives by calling attention to urgent and emerging health issues.

This business area also includes the Population Health and Wellness Division. The division develops and evaluates major provincial strategies and works with the health authorities to protect and improve the health of British Columbians and reduce future demands for health care services.

Vital Statistics Agency

The Vital Statistics Agency provides a system for the registration and certification of vital events for the Province of British Columbia. The agency mandate is established in a number of pieces of legislation including the Vital Statistics Act, the Marriage Act and the Name Act. The agency fulfills a direct public service role by producing vital event certificates and documents to the public. The agency also provides vital event data, statistical reports and health status indicators to support the needs of the ministry, the provincial and federal governments, and regional health care administrators and researchers in managing health-care initiatives.