Vision for a brighter future - Beyond bandaids to building resilience for children's care
The state of children's health in Canada is cause for concern as noted in the most recent report from the Standing Committee on Health that was released yesterday. There has been consensus across provinces about the state of healthcare particularly as it relates to children and the much needed investments to keep our standing in the national and international rankings at an appropriate and acceptable level. Canada was once considered a model for children’s healthcare services, ranking in the top ten and now we have slipped in international standards below 30th (UNICEF Report Card16, 2020) Children’s Healthcare Canada also released a report, Beyond Bandaids: Delivering Care Fit for Kids, that also highlights the measurable decline in Canada’s international ranking.
As a health care leader, I had the opportunity to present to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health on this important topic last year. I shared my perspective as it relates to issues with children in the community, supports for children with medical complexities and their transitions into adulthood. The focus on the health and well being of children is needed, particularly vulnerable children, youth and adults as they age. There are long waitlists for care across sectors and investments are needed. These reports are critical for us to all review as they discuss many topics relating children's physical, mental, developmental and social well being and our role as a society in addressing the gaps that exist.
There's no doubt the pandemic has certainly further eroded our services and supports, and we are seeing long waits for surgical procedures, critical shortages of healthcare professionals, inequities in services, eating disorders, the impacts of social determinants of health on children's overall wellbeing and the need to really prioritize individuals who are at risk because of their socioeconomic circumstances.
The recommendations in these two reports provide a path forward for us to ensure that we raise the bar. The status quo is not acceptable. Our system is stressed and will continue to need investments to support the population growth across the country. www.childrenshealthcarecanada.ca/en/child-health-advocacy/Right-Sizing/Beyond-Bandaids-Report.pdf; https://www.ourcommons.ca/DocumentViewer/en/44-1/HESA/report-18/
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1ySusan, thanks for sharing!
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1yI’m old enough to remember that when federal transfer $$$ to provinofor health, education, etc had yo be spent in that area. Every penny had to be accounted for and no spending allowed the 12th of fiscal year (March). Also, these public sector areas could raise money and not exceed $5M in reserves. Any $$$ left had to be returned with explanation why it wasn’t spent. Sound like good budgeting. In 1994 Federal PC changed the whole system. Federal dollars sent to provinces monthly. Deficits now allowed, provinces started transfer $$& from one department to another and then here in Ontario there was “let’s create a crisis” …etc. $$$ that should have gone to health etc was held back for tax cuts. We are were we are because of the damage done. No ones accountable for a penny anymore. Look our family Ontario place turning into a private spa. Our generation has helped to destroy our world class universal health care that Tommy Douglas created. Shame on us. Seniors living in shelters. Senior Homelessness at it’s highest in our history.
Healthcare Consultant, Board Director
1yCanada seems to be declining on many fronts. So sad.
Canadian health care even doesn’t deserve the 100th position, many developing countries has a better healthcare system then Canada