The Health Action Plan:
Medical Equipment
September 11, 2000
Coordinated action to upgrade medical equipment and invest in
new technologies is a key component of the Health Action Plan agreed to by all
First Ministers.
Hospitals have had difficulty in upgrading and acquiring new
equipment - such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines - to meet the
needs of Canadians. One of the consequences has been longer waiting lists for
medically-needed services.
Health care providers have made clear that there are also
other equipment needs. For example, these could include the need to replace
bedside monitors or lifting devices to improve the quality of care and working
conditions for nurses and other health care personnel.
Accordingly, under the Health Action Plan, the Government of
Canada will set aside $1 billion in 2000-01 and 2001-02 that provinces and
territories can use to acquire and install needed medical equipment. $500
million of this can be drawn down this fiscal year.
This investment will help reduce waiting lists and provide
timely, appropriate access to diagnostic and treatment services through the
publicly-funded health system.
Provinces and territories will have the flexibility to set
priorities within their own systems. It is expected that they will identify
their priorities in collaboration with health care managers, hospital
associations, regions, and health professionals.
Governments have committed to reporting to Canadians on how
they have invested these funds and on improvements in access to services,
including reduction in waiting times.
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