September 11, 2000

Coordinated action to ensure better access to standardized health information and use of information and communications technologies, is a key component of the Health Action Plan agreed to by all First Ministers.

Patients frequently find they have to repeat their health care histories to doctors, nurses and other providers, often during times of crisis. A system that is patient-centred and enables sharing of information among providers would help to ensure that health professionals have access to information they need to provide the best possible care in a timely manner.

While new technologies are readily available to facilitate such information sharing, the health sector lags behind virtually all other sectors of the economy in adopting these new technologies. And where hospitals and regions are developing health information systems, they are not necessarily compatible.

Accordingly, under the Health Action Plan, the Government of Canada will invest $500 million immediately through an independent corporation to develop and ensure the use of common, pan-Canadian information standards and compatible. communications technologies.

This investment will help:

•  Reduce duplication of effort;
• Improve the efficiency and ability of the system to exchange information between providers;
•  Improve access to services through such technologies as telehealth; and
• Enable better planning and performance measurement.

In developing such standards, stringent protection of the privacy, confidentiality and security of personal health information will be our top priority.

This would represent the first step in a coordinated approach in establishing what is sometimes called Canada's Health InfoWay.

Governments will report publicly on the progress that has been made to ensure better access to standardized health information and use of information and communications technologies