By Sarah Boucaud, Outreach Assistant, Global Health Office



Now or Never: Innovation in Health Care, a series of new planned public forums in Halifax was off to a great start this past Tuesday, September 30th, 2014. The Spatz Theater at Citadel High School was buzzing with community members, health care professionals, students, and leaders waiting to hear Dr. Danielle Martin speak on issues of access and sustainability of the Canadian health care system. A family physician, academic, Vice President Medical Affairs and Health System Solutions at Women’s College Hospital in Toronto, and an avid supporter of the public health care system, Dr. Danielle Martin is well known for taking on a U.S. Senate committee and defending Canada’s health care system.

The session also included the comments, thoughts and questions of panelists, including: Laura Fraser, staff reporter, The Chronicle Herald; Dr. Kathleen MacMillan, director, school of nursing, Dalhousie University; Dr. John Sullivan, QEII cardiovascular surgeon, president, Doctors NS; Gerry Post, patient / community activist.

Dr. Danielle Martin expressed three ideas for transforming health care, founded in evidence and worthy of the iconic nature of the Canadian health care system:

1) 20 Drugs to save a nation: A national drug program to fund 20 prescription drugs not available through Medicare.

2) Doing more with less: Innovations, such as applying queuing theory to health care, to address system issues and improve access.

3) Basic income: Toping up income for individuals below a certain income threshold in order to start addressing the fundamental social determinants of health.

Dr. Danielle Martin also presented to students, trainees and fellows during a luncheon the following day. Through a physician’s lens, she spoke of the need for health care professional leadership in addressing system issues and bridging the gap between health care professionals and administration.

Her candid, thought provoking sessions, stimulated discussion and will encourage progressive conversation. Each session was followed by questions and comments, only supporting Dr. Danielle’s views that Canadians look to their health care system as a source of pride, but also recognize that there is room for much improvement.

With a beginning like this, there is much to anticipate from this new series of public forums!

More information on this session can be found in the Chronicle Herald story; Health care fixes focus of meeting.