A new Office of Health System Renewal is being established to provide focused leadership and accelerate efforts to build a sustainable health-care system in New Brunswick.

Health Minister Madeleine Dubé announced that the co-leads of the office will be Rino Volpé, former chair of the boards of directors of the Vitalité Health Network and the New Brunswick Health Council; and John McGarry, former chief executive officer of the River Valley Health Authority.

"These very capable and experienced individuals will be mandated to lead change and deliver results,” Dubé said. "The Department of Health currently demands about 40 per cent of the provincial government's overall budget, and this is predicted to continue to rise. It is imperative to act now to increase efficiency and accountability, streamline administration and adopt health innovations."

The system-wide change will be fuelled through collaboration with established boards, agencies, organizations and health-service providers. The office will work under the direct authority of Premier David Alward and the minister of Health. It will work directly with the deputy minister of Health; the chief executive officers and chairs of the four key health agencies; and representatives of health-service providers.

The initial priorities identified through the government renewal process are:

• an organizational review, leading to management efficiencies within the health-care system;
• monitoring the regional health authorities’ progress in implementing the cost per weighted case initiative;
• a review of shared services, including participation in a feasibility study of integrating FacilicorpNB operations with the new Department of Government Services;
• identification and implementation of health innovations and best practices most promising to health renewal in New Brunswick; and
• monitoring and accountability of health renewal results.

Paul Couturier of Edmundston has been appointed chair of Vitalié Health Network's board of directors, effective immediately. He has extensive experience as a manager in the private sector and in the health-care field. He is currently the executive director of a nursing home in the Edmundston area.

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