The Drummond Report is hot off the press here in Ontario — and it could lead to sweeping health care changes in an effort to cut costs.
Of the 105 health care related recommendations, Economist Don Drummond calls for Local Health Integration Networks to be beefed up with more funding and take on more responsibility.
Drummond also suggests Ontario’s 36 Public Health agencies be folded into the LHIN’s — with public health becoming the sole responsibility of the province.
Grey-Bruce Health Unit Director of Operations and Program Development Chris Munn spoke Friday about the proposals.
Munn says they would continue to operate pretty much the same on a day-to-day basis — but the big picture could change considerably.
Munn says they would have to take a look at making decisions at the municipal or county level — and if they were in a LHIN structure, would have to keep ties with local health organizations and other partners.
Munn notes the goal is to shift the focus from acute care in hospitals to chronic care and prevention — thus keeping people healthy and saving money.
He feels the proposal is very positive for Public Health networks, because their main mandate, after all — is to keep people from getting sick.
Munn adds we’re all aware of the skyrocketing cost of health care, and he hopes some of these proposals will help curb that — while creating a healthier Ontario.
