Category: Social Issues: Health

Title:Valuing the invaluable: rethinking and respecting caring work in Canada.
uthor(s):Valiani, Salimah
Subject:Health issues – programs, services
Publisher:Ontario Nurses’ Assocation
Place of Publication:Toronto
Date of Publication:2011
Abstract:

Valuing the Invaluable: Rethinking and respecting caring work in Canada, was written by ONA staff economist Salimah Valiani, PhD. It quantifies the penalty that is imposed on those doing carework in Canada. Valiani’s analysis links the growth of unpaid and paid overtime being worked by RNs to the nursing shortage and the undervaluing of these professionals. Between 1997 and 2008, the annual aggregate unpaid overtime worked by public-sector RNs in Canada virtually doubled, from 51,200 to 99,000 hours. The number of hours of overtime worked weekly by Canadian RNs has quadrupled since the late-1980s. This research clearly quantifies the extent of the nursing shortage that has had such an impact on nurses’ workloads and quality patient care.

Language:English
Series:Research Paper No. 1
Material Type:Report

F. SOCIAL ISSUES/F.02 HEALTH/2011 valuing_the_invaluable.pdf

Title:Evaluation of the services provided under the Protection of Children Abusing Drugs Act: year two summary report.
Corporate Author: Alberta Health Services
Subject:Children – health|split|Health issues – alcohol and drug abuse
Publisher:Government of Alberta
Place of Publication:Edmonton
Date of Publication:2009
Abstract:

The Protection of Children Abusing Drugs (PChAD) Act and the services directed by it are in response to a community-identified need resulting in the implementation of a service that is linked to research and best practices. The PChAD Act was passed by the Alberta legislative assembly in May 2005. The act came into effect July 1, 2006. Prior to this time, there was no authority to require services for children under the age of 18 who declined voluntary addiction treatment services.
The purpose of the act is to give parents and guardians another option to help their children, under the age of 18, whose alcohol or other drug use has caused significant physical, psychological or social harm to themselves, or physical harm to others, and who are refusing voluntary addiction treatment services. The act allows a parent to apply for a court order to confine the youth for a period of not more than five days to a protective safe house (PSH) for detoxification, assessment and development of a discharge treatment plan.
Two years of evaluation were conducted to determine the implications of the PChAD program in terms of the services delivered and the impact of these services on youth and their families. The findings from the first-year evaluation are documented in a summary report (AADAC, 2007) and technical report (Pivotal Research, 2007). This report summarizes the findings from the second year of evaluating PChAD services.

Language:English
Material Type:Report

F. SOCIAL ISSUES/F.02 HEALTH/2009 evaluation_services_pcada.pdf

Title:Vision 2020: the future of health care in Alberta : phase one.
Corporate Author: Alberta Health and Wellness
Subject:Health issues – health in Alberta|split|Health issues – planning, policyPublisher:Government of Alberta
Place of Publication:Edmonton
Date of Publication:2008
Abstract:

VISION 2020 identifies a path forward for Alberta’s health system, describing how health care will be delivered in a strong, sustainable way by the year 2020. It builds on, and goes beyond, the studies and work done to date to improve access and quality – from the Mazankowski report in 2001, to a recent review of health service delivery. VISION 2020 provides direction on how to improve the delivery of services across the whole health system including public health, acute and continuing care, delivery of pharmaceuticals, ambulance services, health system governance and accountability.
Vision 2020 sets the course for a health system that is first and foremost geared toward the needs of the patient, or in other words, is patient-focused. It recognizes we all have a role to play when it comes to our health. This includes accepting more responsibility as individual Albertans for maintaining our own good health through actions like proper diet and exercise, or by stopping smoking. It also includes recognition that individuals have a responsibility to ensure they access the health-care system in an appropriate way.
Vision 2020 is not about the private delivery of health services. It is about a stronger, more efficient and sustainable publicly-funded health system.

Language:English
Material Type:Report

F. SOCIAL ISSUES/F.02 HEALTH/2008 vision_2020.pdf

 

Title:Review of addiction services in Alberta
Corporate Author: Alberta Health and Wellness
Subject:Health issues – health in Alberta|split|Health issues – alcohol and drug abuse
Publisher:Government of Alberta
Place of Publication:Edmonton
Date of Publication:2008
Abstract:

Concerns about the harm associated with substance use and gambling occur at all levels of society within communities throughout the province. At some point in their lives, a significant number of Albertans will experience personal problems related to alcohol, other drugs or gambling. Others will face difficulties because of someone else’s addiction.
In 2007, AADAC initiated an external review of addiction services in Alberta. An expert advisory panel was established, made up of leading experts in the addiction field from Alberta and across Canada. Based on the panel’s recommendation, a team of researchers and clinicians was selected as the independent consultant to conduct the review: the British Columbia Centre for Mental Health and Addiction Services (BCMHAS), which worked in partnership with the Centre for Addictions Research of BC (CARBC) for the purposes of the review.
The review resulted in findings and recommendations, which were reviewed by the expert advisory panel. This report provides an overview of the key findings from the review and has incorporated comments and recommendations of the expert advisory panel.

Language:English
 
Material Type:Report

F. SOCIAL ISSUES/F.02 HEALTH/2008 addiction_services.pdf

Title:Provincial service optimization review: final report.
Corporate Author: Alberta Health and Wellness
Subject:Health issues – programs, services
Publisher:Government of Alberta
Place of Publication:Edmonton
Date of Publication:2008
Abstract:

This report presents findings from a Service Optimization Review undertaken as part of the ongoing mission of Alberta Health and Wellness to provide a patient-focused health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans. The project identified opportunities to increase the quality and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of health care service delivery in Alberta. Current health needs were assessed and projected using a generally accepted and well-researched evidence-based methodology. This report was informed by visits to all nine of the province’s historical health regions, and discussions with over 200 executives and clinicians from Alberta Health and Wellness, Alberta Health Services, the Mental Health Board, the Cancer Board, Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission, the Health Quality Council of Alberta, several primary care networks, Caritas Health, the College & Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta, the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta, the College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Alberta, the Alberta Medical Association, and the College of Physicians and Surgeons. These initial discussions helped define the opportunities and challenges facing the system, and highlight exciting Alberta-grown innovations in health care delivery across the province.

Language:English
 
Material Type:Report

F. SOCIAL ISSUES/F.02 HEALTH/2008 service_optimization_review.pdf

Title:Children’s mental health plan for Alberta: three year action plan : (2008-2011)
Corporate Author: Alberta Health and Wellness
Subject:Children – general|split|Health issues – mental health|split|Health issues – health in Alberta
Publisher:Government of Alberta
Place of Publication:Edmonton
Date of Publication:2008
Abstract:

On April 16, 2008 Alberta Health and Wellness launched a Health Action Plan to improve accessibility to health care and ensure the future sustainability of the health system. The Children’s Mental Health Plan for Alberta: Three Year Action Plan (2008-2011) supports the Health Action Plan by providing direction and funding over the next three years for strategies to improve access to mental health services for infants, children, youth and their families. The Children’s Mental Health Plan also aligns with the Health Action Plan by addressing the needs of children and youth at risk, which contributes to healthy and safe communities.
The development of the Children’s Mental Health Plan was informed by Positive Futures – Optimizing Mental Health for Alberta’s Children & Youth: A Framework for Action (2006-2016) and findings from community and stakeholder consultations. It builds on major initiatives undertaken by the Alberta government, including the Health Workforce Action Plan and the work of Alberta’s Crime Reduction and Safe Communities Task Force.

Language:English

Material Type:Report

F. SOCIAL ISSUES/F.02 HEALTH/2008 children_mental_health.pdf