Health Authorities Act Comes into Effect Jan. 1, 2001

Communities will have a stronger voice in health-care decision making starting Jan. 1, 2001, when Bill 34, the Health Authorities Act, comes into effect.

"We are moving forward with our commitment to bring health-care decision making closer to the community level," said Health Minister Jamie Muir. "The new district health authorities will replace the current regional health board structure Jan. 1, bringing greater accountability for health-care decisions, as well as fiscal management."

District health authorities will be governed by a volunteer board of directors. Two-thirds of the members will be nominated by community health boards. Health authorities will also be required to include community health board health plans as part of their regional business planning.

The legislation also ensures greater financial accountability. The district health authorities will be required to provide the Minister of Health monthly and quarterly financial statements and audited year-end financial statements. Required annual reports will include updates on the implementation of business plans.

The sections related to financial reporting and business planning will be enforced by departmental policy until April 1. The legislation for these sections comes into effect in the spring because the sections are based on the district health authorities being in place for a full fiscal year.

The majority of CEO appointments for the district health authorities have already been announced. It is anticipated that announcements for the remaining districts will be made the first week of January 2001. In districts where the CEOs are not in place, a clinician or administrative leader will serve until a CEO is hired. An orientation workshop for the board chairs and members was held at the end of October.

Eight of the new district health authorities will be responsible for smaller regions than the former regional health boards. The ninth, the Capital Health District, is based on boundaries of the former Central Regional Health Board.