Funding Targets Shared with District Health Authorities

The province is holding the line on the budgets of the nine district health authorities and the IWK for the coming year.

By asking them to manage with the same amount of funding they received last year, government is balancing the need to protect and provide better care sooner, with the plan to live within the province's means.

"Delivering better health care is important to Nova Scotians," said Health and Wellness Minister Maureen MacDonald. "That is why we are protecting health care within this budget."

Like all other departments and publicly-funded organizations, districts and the IWK are also expected to manage and control any cost pressures.

"Managing with the same amount of funding, after years of funding growth, is challenging," said Ms. MacDonald. "But given that health care costs have almost doubled in 10 years, and that health accounts for 42 per cent of the provincial budget, it is a challenge we must meet to protect patient care now and into the future."

As the district health authorities plan their budgets, they are expected to protect patient care as well as mental health and addictions services as work continues on the mental health strategy. They must also ensure the government's Better Care Sooner action plan can be implemented.

"We are confident that districts can meet this challenge. They are providing great leadership in identifying ways to save millions of dollars by doing things differently while protecting and improving care," Ms. MacDonald said.

"We appreciate getting to see the number early because that definitely helps with budget planning" said John Malcom, CEO of the Cape Breton District Health Authority. "We are also looking at all areas of operations to reduce expenses and control spending. All health authorities and the IWK are working together to find innovative solutions."

Initiatives such as the recent move to a single group purchasing organization for all district health authorities and the IWK, administrative reductions on travel and consultants, and more appropriate use of diagnostic testing will help save money while not impacting patient care.

"We are taking the time to plan to deliver better care sooner, while living within our means," said Ms. MacDonald.