Charting the Future Direction of National Microbiological Reference Services in Canada

[Table of Contents]

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Governance and Leadership

Strong consensus surrounded the belief that LCDC should play a leadership role in strategic planning, marketing and system "management." Their role should encompass collecting, analyzing, and disseminating information, becoming in part a repository of information. As was reported in previous topics, better access to and communication of information is seen as a key characteristic of the new system.

LCDC was recognized as a natural leader for Canadian public health, and as such, must pursue a more visible and active public role.

The workgroups identified the need for an independent, high profile, national public health advocate, but also emphasized that LCDC should embrace an ongoing advocacy role. They, together with the key players, must sell the benefits of an effective public health system, directly and through the media.

LCDC was also recognized as a natural leader to facilitate the establishment of public health goals and priorities, and setting standards for surveillance and investigation. In all of these activities, however, LCDC must invite the input from a broad cross-section of stakeholders.

Participants called for:

18. An Advisory Council/Committee to facilitate input, direction, and leadership.

19. Input into public policy and priority setting. LCDC should take a leadership role in the development of public policy and priority setting, with input from an Advisory Council/Committee. A "Policies and Priorities" agenda could be delivered to the Deputy Minister's of Health at their annual conference.

20. National surveillance procedures and processes. LCDC, with input from stakeholders, should establish procedures and processes for surveillance including the definition of roles of key players.

21. Development of a business plan. A business plan should be developed that would include a review of the current legislation governing public health.

22. A national, visible advocate for public health. LCDC should take on an advocacy role to sell public health services, processes, and the value of both.

23. A code of Public Health ethics relating to the ownership of strains, samples, data, information, publications, etc.

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