Ministry Overview
Purpose of Ministry
The Ministry of Health is responsible for British Columbia’s health system, with a mandate to guide and enhance the province’s health services to ensure British Columbians are supported in their efforts to maintain and improve their health. The B.C. health system is one of the province’s most valued social programs as it touches all British Columbians’ lives — at some point virtually every person in the province will access some level of health care or health service. Furthermore, good health is critical to overall well being because it enables people to enjoy their lives to the fullest, take advantage of education and employment opportunities, and participate fully in society and the economy.
The ministry has been leading a redesign of health services in the province to ensure our health system meets the needs of the population now and in the future. The ministry works closely with health service providers throughout British Columbia to design and deliver services to assist people across their life spans, from health promotion and protection programs to maternity services to surgical procedures to end-of-life care.
The Ministry of Health provides leadership, direction and support to our service delivery partners, such as health authorities, physicians and other health professionals, who directly deliver the majority of health services in British Columbia. The province’s six health authorities are the main organizations responsible for local health service delivery. Five regional health authorities are responsible for delivering a full continuum of health services to meet the needs of the population within their respective regions. A sixth health authority, the Provincial Health Services Authority, is responsible for ensuring British Columbians have access to a coordinated network of high quality specialized health services, such as cancer care, specialized cardiac services and transplant operations. Performance agreements between the ministry and each health authority are used to detail health authority responsibilities and the ministry’s expectations for service delivery.
Vision, Mission and Values
Vision
A health system that supports people to stay healthy, and when they are sick provides high quality publicly funded health care services that meet their needs.
Mission
To guide and enhance the province’s health services to ensure British Columbians are supported in their efforts to maintain and improve their health.
Values
A set of beliefs, consistent with the principles of the Canada Health Act, defines our organizational behaviour:
- Citizen and patient focus which respects the needs and diversity of all British Columbians.
- Equity of access and in the quality of services delivered by government.
- Access for all to quality health services.
- Effectiveness of delivery and treatment leading to appropriate outcomes.
- Efficiency, providing quality, effective, evidence-based services in a cost-effective way.
- Appropriateness, providing the right service at the right time in the right place.
- Safety in the delivery of health services to minimize the risks to the health and safety of British Columbians.
Ministry Goals
Goal 1:
Improved Health and Wellness for British Columbians.
British Columbians are supported in their pursuit of better health through health protection and promotion and disease prevention activities.
Goal 2:
High Quality Patient Care.
Patients receive appropriate, effective, quality care at the right time in the right setting. Health services are planned, managed and delivered in concert with patient needs.
Goal 3:
A Sustainable, Affordable, Publicly Funded Health System.
The public health system is affordable, efficient and accountable, with governors, providers and patients taking responsibility for the provision and use of services.
