Core Business Areas

The ministry has three core businesses:

• Services Delivered by Partners;
• Services Delivered by Ministry; and
• Stewardship and Corporate Management.

Services Delivered by Partners

B.C.'s health authorities, agencies and direct care providers are the ministry's key partners who deliver the majority of health services to the public. These services span beginning to end of life care, disease prevention to health promotion, and primary to acute care.

Although the ministry does not directly deliver the majority of services that influence health outcomes, it bears ultimate responsibility over the health system. In recognition of this, Services Delivered by Partners is a core business.

Services Delivered by Ministry

The ministry directly delivers a small percentage of the health system's services.

Health Benefit Operations

Health Benefit Operations provides the administrative services for B.C.'s PharmaCare Program and Medical Services Plan. PharmaCare is the province's drug insurance program, which helps British Columbians by providing financial assistance toward eligible prescription drugs and medical supplies. The Medical Services Plan (MSP) covers medically required services provided by physicians and certain supplementary health care practitioners. The ministry is currently engaged in an alternative service delivery procurement process intended to improve client services in Health Benefits Operations (see page 45).

Emergency Health Services

The ministry funds and delivers emergency health services through the Emergency Health Services Commission and the British Columbia Ambulance Service.

Vital Statistics Agency

The Vital Statistics Agency is responsible for documenting important events for B.C. citizens such as births, marriages and deaths.

Stewardship and Corporate Management

As stewards of the health system, the ministry provides leadership to health authorities and other partners. The ministry directs the health system as a whole through service plans, legislation and policy, and sets service expectations through performance agreements with health authorities. It supports the system by using planning and projection tools to forecast services required to meet the health care needs of British Columbians in both the short- and long-term, and by researching and developing standards, guidelines and best practices to ensure services are safe, effective and efficient. The ministry also monitors and evaluates system performance and the health of the population by collecting and analyzing health system data. Monitoring and evaluating the system allows the ministry to take evidence-based corrective action when necessary, and informs future development of service plans and performance agreements.

Corporate management includes managing ministry budgets, human resources and information needs. In order to effectively fulfill the stewardship role, it is essential the ministry manages its corporate functions in the most efficient and effective manner possible.

Core Business Areas for the Ministry of Health Services