Right service, right place? Doctors want review of N.L. health care facilities

The Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Associationsays it's time for a comprehensive review of health care services in the province to determine if facilities are located in the right place.

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Locations for many services were chosen in the 1960s, according to the association which represents doctors and a lot has changed since then.

"Given the large number of changes that have occurred in the population, in the disease burden of the population and of coursenow the financial situation, we think it's time to look at where facilities are located, the roles that they play and the distribution of health services," said the NLMA'sexecutive directorRobert Thompson.

All of thiscries out for a review of some kind to make sure we are poised for a better health system in the future.- Robert Thompson

Over the last 40 or50 years, Thompson said, the population has shifted to urban areas, especially on the Avalon Peninsula.

People are aging, and there is a lot more chronic disease, he added.

"All of this, in addition to the financial circumstance, cries out for a review of some kind to make sure we are poised for a better health system in the future."

Without a review of the big picture, government could end up making "ad hoc decisions" about where to cut or spend money, Thompson told the St. John's Morning Show Tuesday.

The association has organized a conference in St. John's Wednesday, Oct. 19, where health care professionals, educators, unions and regional health authorities willdiscuss the subject.

They will also look at a review done two years ago in Tasmania, an Australian statewhich Thompson saidis similar to Newfoundland and Labrador.

He said that island is now implementing changes which include having only one tertiary care facility, but a range of other health services located closer to communities.

Changes coming to streamline care

Apart from the need to review facilities in this province, Thompson said changes coming soon shouldstreamline health care.

An electronic medical records system is finally ready to be implemented.

"This year we'll begin starting installations and aim for a high rate of adoption," he said.

"One of the biggest benefits will be all of the hospital tests anddiagnostic images, hospital reports, will be dumped real time into your family doctor's offices."

A program called E-Consult is also being launched, Thompson said, to make it easier for family doctors to work with specialists and reduce the backlog of patients waiting to see them.

"It's hard to talk to specialists on the phone and just get a quick opinion on whether or not a consultation for their patient is necessary," Thompson said.

"We're setting up a program where a roster of specialists will be available on a regular basis to respond to email transmissions of email, video, pictures, whatever a family doctor wishes to send, and get a quick opinion to manage that patient."