The 10 member Saskatchewan Health Authority board of directors is holding their first meeting, as the new provincial health authority officially launched following the proclamation of The Provincial Health Authority Act.
“The board of directors is excited to officially get started on the work of the Saskatchewan Health Authority,” said Dick Carter, Saskatchewan Health Authority Board chairperson. “During the past several months, we have had orientation sessions and met with various stakeholders to get a full understanding of the Saskatchewan health care system. This has prepared us for our responsibility to provide strategic guidance and for our role as stewards of the Saskatchewan health care system. We have a remarkable opportunity to improve the quality of care patients receive across our province.”
The Special Board Meeting was focused on formalizing the Board governance processes and resolutions that support legislated requirements as a new entity. There are multiple legislative provisions that require or enable a delegation, appointment or designation by the Board. Among the resolutions required are:
Designation of the head of mental health services for the Saskatchewan Health Authority pursuant to The Mental Health Services Act, along with affirming all licenses granted by previous regional health authorities in Saskatchewan for mental health approved homes pursuant to The Mental Health Services Act.
Designation of the head of the Saskatchewan Health Authority for the purposes of The Local Authority Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
Delegating authority to public health officers that are employed or under contract to the Saskatchewan Health Authority in accordance with section 10 of The Public Health Act, 1994.
The board of directors will also be adopting the Saskatchewan Health Authority General Bylaws and Practitioner Staff Bylaws approved by the Minister of Health along with the Authority’s Governance Charter.
“Today marks the first day of operations as one unified organization, but it is just the beginning,” said Scott Livingstone, Saskatchewan Health Authority chief executive officer. “The work to coordinate system-wide transformation to improve patient care will be a multi-year journey. We will continue to engage patients, health care providers, partners and communities at every step along the way.”
Livingstone emphasized that this change will not have a direct impact on health services. In fact, the transition to a single health system in Saskatchewan has been made to improve the delivery of health services to all Saskatchewan residents. When visiting the local health centre, patients will continue to see the familiar faces of health care professionals that they know and trust, and they will continue to receive excellent, high quality health services when they require them.
