Former federal Minister of Health Jane Philpott is urging Canadians to vigorously challenge the failures of our current health system by calling for a national “Canada Primary Care Act”. In her new book, entitled “HEALTH FOR ALL, A Doctors Prescription For A Healthier Canada” Dr. Jane Philpott urgently advocates for a “Primary Care Home” solution for all Canadians. Each primary care home would also be a natural anchor for palliative care, home care and mental health care,….ideally supported by community paramedics. It would serve a population of 10,000-15,000 citizens seven days a week.
Borrowing from provincial school system structures, where students are automatically registered in the local school where they live, so too would all citizens be automatically registered with their “primary care home” in the neighbourhood/district where they live. From a multidisciplinary team all residents would have access to primary care, homecare, palliative care, and mental health care, that is…universal primary care.
The main features of this new model are:
1. The model is designed for the whole population of a geographic region.
2. Patients are attached to the whole team.
3. Doctors (and others) are paid by salary or by the shift.
4. Accountability is built in.
5. The workforce is expanded through learners and volunteers.
6. Services are expanded through the use of community partners.
In her manifesto, Health for All, Dr. Philpott examines not only the clinical components of health but the equally important spiritual, social, and political, yes political, determinates of health. Yeaaa! She expands upon her personal, professional, and international life experiences that have shaped her belief in how “a primary care home” for every Canadian will revolutionize our so-called national health system and bring health care to all. Dr. Philpott’s words are more powerful than mine. She says, “We need to focus our attention on one big thing. If we could pick one grand national project that would have the greatest impact on health care, it would be the construction of a robust system for universal access to primary care.”
Upon reviewing this book my advice is don’t just read it… do it!