Times & Transcript columnist Norbert Cunningham expects that healthcare will once again be one of three dominant issues as the provincial election nears, alongside the economy and education. He says all 11 provincial elections since 1972 have focused on those three topics, revolving around discussions, healthcare studies, strategies and policies. He points to a recent New Brunswick Health Council report stating that the key to improving primary health services is to clarify "who would be responsible for the overall planning, funding and management of primary health services." It also discusses an accountability framework and performance targets to allow the province to measure the quality of primary care services. Cunningham says he finds it tiresome that the healthcare system is still muddled about who's responsible for planning, funding and management of primary care, and that there's no process to measure whether the system is delivering the quality services expected. He contends that accountability can be enforced at the ballot box, and that broad healthcare reforms would bring the system up to speed with the latest research, technologies and best practices. Cunningham adds that having an independent body like the NBHC is positive, and mentions a recent column from retired health services executive and planner Jim Wolstenholme that argues that many rural hospitals in the province need to be "repurposed." He calls on the public to demand that politicians pay attention to the issues facing the healthcare system that will require co-ordinated, and measured, action across the system.
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