​Hoshin Kanri/Strategic Deployment

The 2016-17 Health System Plan represents a collaborative approach to achieving better health, better care, better value and better teams through a focus on emergency department waits and patient flow, appropriateness of care, access ot specialists and diagnostics, mental health and addictions primary health care and seniors.  The 2016-17 Health System Plan was developed through the strategic planning process referrred to as Hoshin Kanri, which features a collaborative approach to determining strategic priorities and how to achieve them through the engagement of all levels of staff in a process referred to as "catchball."

Provincial priorities are focused on the 100 Year Strategies:  Better Health, Better Care, Better Teams and Better Value.  These enduring strategies are based on the Institute of Healthcare Improvement's (IHI) Triple Aim.  Provincially, one Hoshin,  or breakthrough improvement goal, was identified for 2016-17:

  • To improve access for patients and reduce ED waits by 60%, necessary improvements in key areas (primary health care, specialist consults, diagnostics, mental health & addictions, long term care, home care and acute care) will be achieved by 2019. 

Regional priorities are aligned with the strategic goals and improvement targets established in the 2016-17 Health System Plan. The provincial breakthrough initiatives guide the strategic priorities of the Kelsey Trail Health Region.

Pandemic Planning

Pandemic influenza is not just a health issue but will have implications for every sector of society. The health sector has its own contingency plan for pandemic influenza but other sectors like municipalities, businesses and crown corporations must prepare their own plans for the continuation of essential community services during a pandemic.

Each province and territory has its own legislation which mandates provincial and municipal governments to have emergency plans to deal with emergencies and disasters, including human diseases. It is the legislative responsibility of every municipality to have an emergency plan (Emergency Planning Act 1989-90). Governments in Canada have “Due Diligence” obligations to plan for the protection of their populations. Most of the municipalities have emergency plans however, it is important to understand the difference between an influenza pandemic and other emergencies or disasters.