On behalf of the Ministry of Health Services, I am pleased to present the 2004/05 – 2006/07 Service Plan.

This year's plan provides information on the ministry's longer-term objectives, priorities and strategies for the health system, as well as performance measures that will be used to gauge our progress in improving health and patient care for British Columbians.

This year's plan builds on the strategic direction articulated in the previous plan. It describes the core business areas, which focus on the services delivered by health authorities, care providers and other partners, and stewardship over those services by the Ministry of Health Services.

In this service plan, we highlight key objectives and priority strategies that will redesign service delivery to improve health and patient care and better meet patients' needs. These focus on:

• Helping British Columbians to maintain and improve their health — and to prevent illness and injury.
• Improving chronic disease prevention, management and primary care.
• Supporting the appropriate use of hospitals and health services.
• Building integrated care networks among health professionals and facilities.

These priority redesign strategies reflect the commitment of this government and its service delivery partners to create a publicly funded health system that provides high quality, accessible care — and that is sustainable for the future.

Honourable Colin Hansen
Minister of Health Services