Residents of Vancouver Island are being invited to help shape the future of health care as Island Health (Vancouver Island Health Authority) launches an extensive engagement process to renew its five-year strategic plan.

“We are embarking on a journey to fundamentally change and transform our approach to the health and care needs of our population,” said Dr. Brendan Carr, President and CEO of Island Health. “We need to put more energy into improving and enhancing both the physical and mental health of our population, focus on health promotion and disease prevention, make the most of evolving technology and ensure that we always make the best use of our resources.”

Island Health 2018, as the new Strategic Plan is being called, will serve as a road map for what the organization hopes to achieve over the next five years. Input from Island residents will help Island Health refine its direction and influence the new strategic plan.

“We are consulting extensively throughout the month of November,” said Dr. Carr. “The discussions will include our staff and clinicians, local governments, community groups and members of the public whose input will help guide decisions on how health care is developed and delivered across our region.”

Over the past year, Island Health has analyzed and assessed environmental, population and service trends and forecasts. Through that process, some strategic themes emerged which were tested and refined with staff focus groups over the summer. These themes will lay the groundwork for discussion at the upcoming staff and community consultations.

The Island Health 2018 Strategic Plan is a high-level document that sets the direction for health care services across the health authority to the year 2018. Following the staff and public consultations in November, the plan will be finalized in February 2014 and will go to the Island Health Board for approval in March.

Island Health would like to hear your thoughts about the opportunities and challenges we are facing and about the emerging themes for the future direction of Island Health. Please help by visiting us online at http://www.viha.ca/about_viha/strategic_plan/.

Comox Valley residents are invited to attend a community open house on Nov. 5 from 5:30 – 7:30pm at the Best Western Plus Westerly Hotel in Courtenay.