Regionalization was executed in the provinces and territories of Canada to move the responsibility from individual hospitals to regional boards of governance (Downie, Caulfield, & Flood, 2011). Based on the textbook reading, regionalization was put in place to take the power out of the politicians hands and back into the people of the community. Regionalization not only encompassed hospitals but also included public heath, home care and long term care (Downie, Caulfield, & Flood, 2011). In my opinion, the concept of regionalization is giving a voice to the people and allowing them to direct their healthcare across the lifespan. With regionalization legislation explicit terms are put into place to strengthen greater government control and accountability
…show more content…
With a greater understanding of regionalization, the argument that regionalization is detrimental to government accountability can be discussed. By having regional boards to manage conversations regarding the health care system could result in deflecting criticisms when cuts to funding and services occur. With regionalization in place there are multiple stakeholders involved. In my opinion, regionalization could aid in focusing more on what that particular region needs in terms of health care and not just generalizing. Throughout my degree, a large focus has been on patient centered care, this means putting the patient at the center of their care and acknowledging them as a person first (Starfield,2011). Personally, I think this is something that should be considered when discussing regionalized health authorities and the move towards centralized control. I currently work within the health authority and the move to centralized control has caused a shift in delivery of health care. Although I am only one point of view in this situation, most of the talk I hear is around budget …show more content…
Cutting the resources that are already in place or limiting them to detrimental to individuals within the health care system. An example of this would be cutting people’s job within the rehabilitation portfolio. Although health care professionals such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists and recreation therapists may not have medical degrees they play an important role in patient care and quality of life. Of course physicians are critical to patient care but ensuring all of the health care team is available to patient’s is key. Personally, a worry with moving to centralization is cuts to services that those in government positions may not see as important because they themselves are not in the shoes of patients who need care. If we are going to move to centralized control and be successful we need to ensure the health authority works as a unit along with the government. This means considering what each community has to offer and their needs. I think centralizing could be a good thing but as a whole we have a long road head to provide optimal, quality health care for
With a greater understanding of regionalization, the argument that regionalization is detrimental to government accountability can be discussed. By having regional boards to manage conversations regarding the health care system could result in deflecting criticisms when cuts to funding and services occur. With regionalization in place there are multiple stakeholders involved. In my opinion, regionalization could aid in focusing more on what that particular region needs in terms of health care and not just generalizing. Throughout my degree, a large focus has been on patient centered care, this means putting the patient at the center of their care and acknowledging them as a person first (Starfield,2011). Personally, I think this is something that should be considered when discussing regionalized health authorities and the move towards centralized control. I currently work within the health authority and the move to centralized control has caused a shift in delivery of health care. Although I am only one point of view in this situation, most of the talk I hear is around budget …show more content…
Cutting the resources that are already in place or limiting them to detrimental to individuals within the health care system. An example of this would be cutting people’s job within the rehabilitation portfolio. Although health care professionals such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists and recreation therapists may not have medical degrees they play an important role in patient care and quality of life. Of course physicians are critical to patient care but ensuring all of the health care team is available to patient’s is key. Personally, a worry with moving to centralization is cuts to services that those in government positions may not see as important because they themselves are not in the shoes of patients who need care. If we are going to move to centralized control and be successful we need to ensure the health authority works as a unit along with the government. This means considering what each community has to offer and their needs. I think centralizing could be a good thing but as a whole we have a long road head to provide optimal, quality health care for