May 17, 2004

More than 900 members of the primary health care sector have gathered in Winnipeg to examine the future of primary health care at a conference officially opened today by Premier Gary Doer.

The conference, called Moving Primary Health Care Forward: Many Successes, More to Do, offers participants interactive sessions on several topics including the determinants of health, information management and community perspectives on primary health care. Other items include group working sessions and presentations by primary health care experts from around the world.

"Manitoba is a leader in the field of primary health care and we’re excited to be hosting this important forum," said Doer. "Bringing together health care providers, administrators and other stakeholders allows us to share ideas and successes as we work together to ensure sustainable change in our health system."

Confirmed speakers at the conference include broadcaster Rex Murphy and Roy Romanow, head of the Commission on the Future of Health Care in Canada.

"This conference builds on the work and ideas outlined by Mr. Romanow in his report on the future of health care in this country," said Health Minister Dave Chomiak. "Manitoba Health has already put a number of innovative and creative ideas for our primary health care system into place, and we will continue to develop and implement changes that will benefit all Manitobans."

Primary health care refers to the first level of contact where services are mobilized to promote health, care for common illnesses and manage ongoing health problems. Primary health care often begins with the family physician or community health nurse. It emphasizes health promotion and illness prevention, and links patients needing more specialized care to other services.

Primary health care extends beyond the traditional health sector and includes services that can affect health including social services, housing and education.

Primary health care initiatives recently introduced by Manitoba Health and its partners include:

• New Primary Health Care Access Centres — These centres, including Access River East in Winnipeg, integrate both health care and social services in one convenient location and offer communities a new way to access the care and support they need.

• Health Links — This is a toll-free, 24-hour/seven-day-a-week telephone service which allows skilled nurses to offer health information and support to people who require help. They may also provide information on how to access further care, such as visiting an urgent care centre or an emergency department.

• Advanced Practice Nurse Practitioners — Since September 2003, advanced practice nurses, working with designated physicians and other health care providers, have been providing targeted services and enhanced access to primary health care for residents in two northern districts of the Interlake Regional Health Authority.

"Supporting healthy lifestyles and providing appropriate services when health care is needed allows us to make more efficient use of our primary health care resources," said Healthy Living Minister Jim Rondeau. "Through programs and partnerships with other services and organizations, we are continuing to improve the health of Manitobans."

Other nations, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Belgium and New Zealand, are also represented by delegates attending the three-day event.

The conference is sponsored by the Health Canada Primary Health Care Transition Fund. More information on the National Primary Health Care Conference is available at http://www.phcconference.ca/.

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• Roy Romanow, commissioner, Commission on the Future of Health Care in Canada

• Ruth Wilson, MD, professor of family medicine, Queen’s University; Director of Ontario’s Family Health Network: "Implementing Primary Care Renewal in Ontario: Barriers and Facilitators"

• Jennifer Zelmer, vice-president of research and analysis, Canadian Institute for Health Information, and Pat Martens, researcher, Manitoba Centre for Health Policy: "Information Management and Primary Health Care"

• Terry Tafoya, PhD, executive director, Tamanawit, Seattle, Wash.: "Intersectoral Action, Determinants of Health"

• Charles Boelen, MD, international health systems consultant, France: "Integration Across the Continuum"

• John Bibby, North Bradford Primary Care Trust, U.K., and Ghislaine Young, nurse practitioner/partner, Westcliffe Medical Centre, U.K.: "Accountabilities and Primary Health Care: The United Kingdom Experience"

• Rex Murphy, journalist, broadcaster and commentator: "Community Perspective/Citizen Participation"

• Brian Postl, MD, CEO, Winnipeg Regional Health Authority

• Paul Grand’Maison. MD, Sherbrooke University, Sherbrooke, Que.

• Michael Rachlis, MD, health policy analyst, Toronto, Ont.

• Gil White, family physician, acting executive director, Primary Health Services Branch, Saskatchewan Health

• Steven Lewis, health policy and research consultant, Saskatoon, Sask., adjunct professor, University of Calgary