The base budget for Health and Social Services will be increased by $23.3 million in 2001-2002 to respond to rising costs and increased demand for health and social services.
Health and Social Services Minister Jamie Ballem advised that the budget has increased from $285 million to $340 million in the last five years, an increase of 19 percent. "This budget is designed to meet immediate needs and to address critical issues facing the sustainability of our system. First, it will provide adequate and stable funding for front line staff and services. Secondly, it funds improvements in the way services are accessed and delivered. And finally, it provides for strategic investments in wellness and children's health," said the minister.
Hospitals, government manors and home care services will receive an additional $10.5 million this year to address ongoing pressures such as staffing costs, the rising cost of drugs and supplies, and increasing acuity levels. In addition, private nursing homes will receive new funding of $680,000 to assist with rising costs and the growing number of residents who are subsidized by the provincial government.
More than $1.25 million will be added to the seniors drug program this year. Spending on seniors drugs increased 75 percent in the past five years, as a result of increased drug costs and the increasing number of seniors using the program. New funding of $1.6 million will assist ambulance operators with increasing costs, and reduce the cost of out-of-province ambulance services to Islanders.
Investments in the recruitment and retention of health professionals will continue, with an additional $2.2 million budgeted for nursing, and $1.1 million for physician recruitment and retention initiatives.
"Early childhood experiences have a lasting impact on how a person performs in school, their behaviour and coping skills, and their risk for chronic illness in later life. We are pleased to introduce several strategic initiatives to support our new provincial healthy child development strategy," said the minister.
A new provincial autism policy will increase access to early interventions which enable children to participate in their schools and communities, reduce stress on families, and reduce the need for costly long term interventions. New investments of $250,000 will be used to strengthen front line child protection services. Funding for the provincial child care assistance program will increase by $350,000 to meet growing demand as more parents move into the workforce. Funding of $100,000 will support the implementation of the new provincial healthy child development strategy.
New wellness initiatives will assist Islanders to prevent illness, develop healthier lifestyles, and take more responsibility for their own health. "We are concerned about our high incidence of cancer, diabetes, and the fact that we have the highest rate of cardiovascular death in Canada," said the minister. New funding of $100,000 will be made available for a new chronic illness prevention initiative, which will promote healthy behaviours such as exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy body weight and choosing not to smoke." Funding will also be made available for the provincial diabetes strategy, tobacco reduction initiatives, and cervical cancer screening.
New initiatives will be introduced to improve access to services. "This will involve improving the way services are organized, the way people access them, and the way health professionals work together to deliver them," said Minister Ballem.
A new provincial Disability Supports Program will assist persons who have a physical or intellectual disability to overcome barriers, achieve financial independence and a satisfactory quality of life. It will be the first program in the country to remove disability supports from financial assistance programs under the Welfare Assistance Act. "People will be able to work, earn income, and still qualify for the disability supports they need," said the minister.
New federal funding of $700,000 will support new initiatives in primary care. A new provincial crisis response system will be implemented through new investments of $500,000 in mental health services. Access to health and social services in both official languages will increase. Further investments of $1.2 million will be made in the provincial health information system. Funding of $13 million will be allocated to the construction of the new East Prince Health Facility this year.
"Health care remains a number one priority for Islanders, and this budget is meant to reflect the importance we place on health care services," said Minister Ballem. "At the same time, we recognize that longer term solutions are needed to assist Islanders to improve their health and subsequently reduce demand on the system, so that it is sustainable for us, and for future generations."