Gerrard introduces bill to move toward patient centered care

WINNIPEG –Manitoba Liberal Leader Dr.Jon Gerrard today introduced legislation that would move to a patient-centered health care system by giving patients the legal right to timely access to quality health care.

“We need to change from the very wasteful, poor quality, long wait list system of the NDP to a system in which people can get a guarantee of quality care when they need it,” said Dr.Gerrard.  “This bill will replace the current NDP system based on bureaucracy with a Liberal approach that puts the patient at the center of care.”

Bill 220 – The Right to Timely Access to Quality Health Care act will ensure that all Manitobans have timely access to quality health care and be fully informed about their medical situation.

‘Timely access’ and ‘quality care’ are both defined based solely on scientific evidence on a case by case basis.  In addition to scientific evidence, the likelihood of the disease progressing, complications arising and the occurrence of extreme pain or long-term chronic pain is taken into consideration when determining the timeliness of the care delivered.

In terms of the quality of care, evidence that the care provided will improve the individual’s quality of life, the health care will be more beneficial than harmful and that the care provided is the best possible care based on international standards are all taken into account.

“Improving timely access to quality care is one of many things that needs to be done to overhaul our ailing health care system this bill will go a long way in weeding out inefficiencies in the current system by forcing all parties involved to get their act together,” Dr.Gerrard said.  “The essence of an effective health care system is one which provides quality care for Manitobans in a timely fashion”

The Liberal bill also calls for all patients to have the right to be informed about their own medical situation by being made aware of all available treatment options, being able to participate actively in decisions about which treatment to receive, being able to access information on the qualifications of their attending health care practitioners as well as being able to receive compassionate care and communicate in confidence with health professionals.