Goals, Objectives, Strategies and Results

Overview

This section provides details of the Ministry's plans to meet the challenges and deliver on the priorities articulated earlier in the document. The first part of this section outlines the Ministry's alignment with and support of Government's overarching strategic goals and priority initiatives for British Columbia. Next is a summary table which provides an overview of the Ministry's performance plan for 2007/08 – 2009/10. Following the overview table is the full performance plan which includes details of the goals, objectives and strategies the Ministry will pursue and the results it intends to achieve.

Linkage to the Five Great Goals

Government has set out five overarching goals to guide the work of ministries in achieving the full potential of British Columbia. The Five Great Goals for a Golden Decade focus on literacy and education, healthy living and physical fitness, supports for disadvantaged populations, environmental stewardship and job creation. Detailed descriptions of the Five Great Goals can be found in the Government's Strategic Plan, available at http://www.gov.bc.ca.

The work of the Ministry of Health is guided by the Government's Five Great Goals. The Ministry's primary contribution to achieving the goals can be found in the goals focused on healthy living and physical fitness (Goal 2), providing supports to disadvantaged groups (Goal 3), and improving the province's air and water quality (Goal 4). Following is an overview of the key initiatives for B.C.'s health system that support the attainment of the Five Great Goals.

The Ministry of Health will:

• Support government's ActNow BC initiative through which all ministries and all sectors contribute to supporting British Columbians to make healthy lifestyle choices in their schools, workplaces, homes and communities.
• Strengthen health protection programs to prepare for and respond to major public health risks such as SARS, West Nile virus, influenza, meningitis, and natural or accidental emergencies.
• Continue to deliver expanded immunization programs for children and seniors.
• Work to continue to reduce inequalities in health status among British Columbians, with a particular focus on improving Aboriginal health and wellness.
• Provide citizens with health information and advice 24 hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week, with translation services in over 130 languages through BC HealthGuide and BC NurseLine.

The Ministry of Health will:

• Expand home and residential care options for seniors and persons with disabilities, including completing the commitment to build 5,000 net new residential care, assisted living and supportive housing spaces in partnership with BC Housing and community affiliates by December 2008.
• Continue to enhance mental health and addiction services across the province, and participate with other ministries, health authorities, BC Housing, municipalities and community organizations to develop and implement strategies to address mental health, addictions and homelessness.
• Work with the Ministry of Children and Family Development and the Ministry of Education to better integrate services for children and youth with special needs.

The Ministry of Health will:

• Work with ministries across government on the ongoing implementation of the Drinking Water Protection Act to ensure safe, quality drinking water for British Columbians.
• Work with ministries across government to protect and enhance the province's air quality by moving ahead on the recommendations of the Provincial Health Officer's Report on Air Quality in British Columbia.

Cross Ministry Initiatives

Government has also identified a number of key cross ministry initiatives to support achievement of the Five Great Goals. Each of these initiatives requires the efforts of multiple ministries to be successful. In 2007/08, the Ministry of Health will work with other ministries across government on the following initiatives:

ActNow BC

ActNow BC, led by the Ministry of Tourism, Sport and the Arts, combines cross government and community-based approaches to promote healthy living choices for British Columbians. The programs and initiatives champion healthy eating, physical activity, ending tobacco use, and healthy choices during pregnancy.

The Ministry of Health provides numerous health promotion initiatives in support of the ActNow BC program to help British Columbians live healthy and active lives.

StrongStart BC

StrongStart BC is a government cross ministry initiative to support the healthy development and early learning of children (birth to six). Priorities for the early years include early diagnosis for hearing, sight and dental problems; booster seat awareness; informing parents of the link between early childhood physical education and skill development; new "StrongStart Centres" for early childhood education; and language and cultural opportunities for Aboriginal children.

Crystal Meth Strategy

Government's Crystal Meth Strategy, led by the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General, targets the use and production of crystal meth through an integrated framework that strengthens partnerships amongst communities, service providers and law enforcement agencies. The Crystal Meth Secretariat was established in 2005 to support new and continuing initiatives based on prevention, treatment and enforcement.

The Ministry of Health supports these coordinated efforts through prevention and addiction treatment programs delivered through health authorities.

2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games

All provincial ministries, agencies and Crowns have been working together to ensure every available opportunity to develop sustainable economic legacies are explored and pursued so that businesses and communities in British Columbia receive benefit from the Games.

The Ministry of Health is contributing to B.C.'s preparations for hosting the world at the 2010 Games. The Ministry is chiefly involved in ensuring emergency preparedness programs are in place and in planning for the effective use of emergency services, such as the B.C. Ambulance Service, during the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Regulatory Reform

British Columbia continues to make regulatory reform a priority across government, making it easier for businesses to operate and succeed in British Columbia, while still preserving regulations that protect public health, safety and the environment. A citizen-centred approach to regulatory reform will reduce the number of steps it takes to comply with government requirements or access government programs and services.

The Ministry is continuing to support government's commitment to reduce the regulatory burden and develop a modern regulatory framework. The Ministry will continue to identify reduction and reform opportunities, and focus on improving regulations to ensure they are consistently results-based, cost-effective and flexible, and promote competitiveness and innovation.

Citizen-Centred Service Delivery Initiative

Citizen-centred service delivery is a government-wide initiative to coordinate information, programs and services so that they can be presented to citizens in a way that takes their needs into account from beginning to end. The vision is to make it possible for citizens to access the government information and services they need in a simple and timely manner with a phone call, a mouse click or a visit to a service centre, no matter how many programs or ministries are involved in their request.

Ministry of Health Goals

In setting its objectives and priorities the Ministry is guided by three overarching goals that focus on improving people's health and wellness, providing needed health care and services, and ensuring the health system is managed efficiently so it is sustainable now and in the future. These goals are:

British Columbians are supported in their pursuit of better health through health promotion and disease prevention activities.

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.

The public health system is affordable, efficient and accountable, with governors, providers and patients taking responsibility for the provision and use of services.