The Department of Health and Community Services is responsible for the overall strategic direction and priorities for health and community services throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.
Under its mandate, the Department works to provide leadership, coordination, monitoring, and support to Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services – the new provincial health authority – and other entities that deliver health care programs and services across the province. It also ensures the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of the health care system.
As well, the Department is responsible for effectively administering and providing funding for insured medical and hospital services, dental and pharmaceutical services, and the purchase of seats and bursary programs for students in select health professional or technical fields, to build capacity and help create a stable health workforce.
Mandate
The mandate of the Department of Health and Community Services is to provide leadership and direction for effective and efficient delivery of health and community services.
Primary Clients
The Department, in particular works with Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services, and other entities funded by the Department. The Department also works collaboratively with stakeholders such as educational institutions, research centres, community-based organizations, Indigenous organizations and governments, municipalities, regulatory bodies and agencies, boards, and commissions. As well, the Department engages in partnerships and collaborative initiatives with the Federal Government, other provincial and territorial governments, and a wide array of health-related organizations.
Vision
The Department of Health and Community Services’ vision is for individuals, families and communities to achieve optimal health and well-being.
Lines of Business:
- Policy, Planning, Program Development and Support
The department provides a leadership role for developing policies, legislation and plans in the following areas:- Programs under a legislative framework
- Communicable diseases
- Environmental health (including tobacco control, drinking water quality and sanitation)
- Hospital Insurance Plan
- Medical Care Plan (MCP)
- Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Program
- Personal care homes
The department is also responsible for 17 pieces of legislation related to the regulation of health professions. The department works with regulatory bodies to interpret the legislation and regulations and to facilitate amendments as necessary.
- Programs not under a legislative framework
- Aboriginal health
- Chronic disease control
- Emergency preparedness
- Health sector workforce planning
- Immunizations
- Intervention and support services for persons with disabilities
- Long-term care and community support services
- Mental health and addictions services
- Parent and child health
- Wellness and health promotion
- Programs for which the department establishes funding and/or operational delivery standards:
- Ambulance services
- Clinical Safety Reporting System
- Dental Program
- Home support
- Medical Transportation Assistance Program
- Residential services for persons with select disabilities
- Special Assistance Program
- Special Child Welfare Allowance
- Transition houses
- The department works with the post-secondary education system to ensure that professional education and training programs for the health and community services field reflect the needs of the system. The department also provides funding for select training programs.
- The department ensures that regional health and community services are planned according to the needs of the population; the strategic directions of the provincial government; and, within the fiscal capacity of the health system. This includes determining the need for, and placement of infrastructure, equipment, services and staff.
- The department represents provincial priorities in the development of intergovernmental (Atlantic and federal/provincial/territorial) strategic directions and initiatives.
- The department works with the Newfoundland and Labrador Centre for Health Information to obtain health information and research, conduct program evaluations and develop electronic health information systems.
- Programs under a legislative framework
- Monitoring and Reporting
Regular monitoring and evaluation of legislation, programs, plans and funding outcomes are important to maintain the effectiveness of the health and community services system.- The department monitors and evaluates:
- Adherence to guidelines and best practices and/or funding and service delivery standards;
- Health and community services legislation;
- Implementation of funding and outcomes for regional health authorities and other entities funded by the department; and
- Selected policies, programs and services.
- In addition, the department has made commitments to publicly report on several areas that it monitors. These areas are as follows:
- Access to services
- Disease control
- Health status
- Healthy behaviors
- Human resources
- Population health
- The department monitors and evaluates:
- Provincial Public Programs and Services Administration
While the department does not directly deliver most health care services, there are some programs for which the department provides direct supervision, control, and service delivery as follows:- Bursaries and incentives to students in select training programs according to established criteria
- Distribution and storage of vaccines
- Grants for select community agencies
- Medical transportation assistance to eligible individuals
- Payment and remuneration for medical services, dental services, drug programs, and other similar programs
- Printing, storage and distribution of health related materials
- Records of immunizations
- Selected information technology initiatives
- Storage and distribution of National Emergency Stockpile
Adobe® Acrobat® Reader software can be used for viewing PDF documents. Download Acrobat® Reader for free