Oct. 5, 2017 (Ottawa) – In response to the devastation of the opioid crisis affecting Canadians, HealthCareCAN is unveiling today a series of best practices that our members have put in place to help address this public health emergency. Titled “Responding to the opioid crisis: leading practices, challenges and opportunities”, the report highlights leading practices in harm reduction; prevention and surveillance; and treatment, with opportunity for national scale and spread. It also summarizes the unique challenges hospitals and healthcare organizations face in response to this crisis. The report also identifies a number of activities that HealthCareCAN members and partners could undertake to address the opioid crisis.
“We know that the opioid crisis is of great concern for our members and we are committed to doing everything we can to contribute to the collaborative response to one of the biggest public health threats facing Canada in recent years. In compiling these best practices from hospitals and health care organizations from across the country, we are hoping to bring forth practical solutions and provide examples of the kind of progress that is possible to reduce the harm associated with opioid addiction,” said Paul-Émile Cloutier, President and CEO of HealthCareCAN.
This document contains key insights emerging from a June 12, 2017 invitational roundtable of
HealthCareCAN members and other selected stakeholders with the Hon. Jane Philpott, former Minister of Health. The invitational event was attended by more than 30 health leaders from across the country. In addition to highlighting emerging practices, and potential areas for action, the roundtable addressed the opioid crisis in terms of its intersection with the needs of vulnerable populations; including the unique needs of Canada’s Indigenous peoples, and the specific challenges facing paediatric and rural populations.
“It is important to recognize that no single intervention will provide a ‘magic solution’ solution to the challenges that Canada faces. But the compilation of best practices constitutes a first step in bringing collective experience and wisdom for health leaders as they consider plans to meet the needs of patients dealing with opioid abuse and addiction,” added Mr. Cloutier.
Today’s release of this report is part of HealthCareCAN’s commitment in the Joint Statement of Action which stems from the Opioid Summit held last November in Vancouver. The Summit engaged a smaller group of approximately 40 health professional organizations, regulators and decision-makers with the authority to commit to taking specific concrete actions to address on problematic opioid use. Clear timelines were included in a Joint Statement of Action to Address the Opioid Crisis in Canada that was signed by all summit attendees including the federal, provincial and territorial Ministers of Health.
“We are confident that the new Minister of Health, the Hon. Ginette Petitpas Taylor, will continue to give this issue the attention and resources it requires. We look forward to continued collaboration with governments and other partners in addressing the opioid crisis and improving the health of all Canadians,” concluded Mr. Cloutier.
HealthCareCAN is the national voice of healthcare organizations and hospitals across Canada. We foster informed and continuous, results-oriented discovery and innovation across the continuum of healthcare. We act with others to enhance the health of the people of Canada; to build the capability for high quality care; and to help ensure value for money in publicly financed, healthcare programs.
– 30 –
Media contact:
Lucie Boileau, Director of Communications, Marketing and Government Relations
lboileau@healthcarecan.ca │ 855-236-0213/613-241-8005 x 205 │Cell: 613-462-5604