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Former senator Diane Griffin appointed chair of Health P.E.I. board

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CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — Former senator Diane Griffin has taken over as chair of the Well being P.E.I. board, following the resignation of Summerside lawyer Derek Key.

In a media assertion, Well being Minister Ernie Hudson introduced her appointment on Jan. 23, efficient instantly. Griffin served as senator for P.E.I. between 2016 and 2022 and served as a municipal councillor in Stratford for 10 years earlier than that.

In an interview with SaltWire Community on Jan. 23, Griffin stated she was approached about taking over the place within the second week of January. She stated she took eight days to consider the choice.

“It set me again on my heels. I actually wanted a while to consider this and examine it and discuss to a few of the key figures within the system, get my very own head round this earlier than I may give a solution,” Griffin stated.

“In fact, it is a problem, however I believe well being care is absolutely vital to Islanders, as we all know. So, I made a decision to simply accept the problem.”

The Well being P.E.I. board supplies oversight of the well being authority and is tasked with conducting a yearly analysis of the CEO. The board isn’t immediately concerned within the day-to-day operation of well being care, Griffin stated.

Griffin stated she is conscious of health-care challenges in P.E.I. and stated these challenges are shared by each different province and territory. The province is dealing with a scarcity of nurses and docs; presently 26,577 Islanders lack a household physician or nurse practitioner.

“In fact, it is a problem, however I believe well being care is absolutely vital to Islanders, as we all know. So, I made a decision to simply accept the problem.”
Diane Griffin

However Griffin additionally recommended health-care negotiations between Ottawa and the provinces may very well be grounds for optimism.

“My prediction is that Prince Edward Island can be among the many first of the provinces to signal the brand new funding settlement with the federal authorities. I do know it isn’t the magic bullet. However it’s an amazing begin as soon as that occurs,” Griffin stated.

Griffin stated P.E.I. is usually an early mover on new federal-provincial agreements due, partially, to its small measurement and its capacity to be “extra nimble” than different provinces.

For 2 years, Canadian premiers, together with P.E.I. Premier Dennis King, have argued the federal authorities ought to enhance its share of health-care funding from 22 per cent to 35 per cent. In current weeks, a number of premiers, together with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, have publicly suggested a deal on elevated health-care funding may come this winter.

Key’s critiques

However lots of the P.E.I.’s health-care challenges contain points that aren’t solely about cash.

In his resignation letter, dated Dec. 6, 2022, former Well being P.E.I. board chair Derek Key warned of “failures in health-care supply within the province,” suggesting the province wanted to construct a well being system that offered extra respect to all staff whereas constructing a “tradition of accountability in any respect ranges.” 

Key additionally argued the well being authority be given extra arms-length independence from cupboard and urged the premier to permit Well being P.E.I. to manage hiring, recruitment and compensation of well being employees. 

Griffin stated she had learn Key’s letter however had not but spoken to him immediately.

“I am enthusiastic about pursuing additional the remark relating to a tradition of accountability as a result of there’s a large accountability framework doc,” Griffin stated.

“I suppose on the finish of the day I must do some additional investigation on all of this.”

Griffin stated she plans to be taught extra concerning the “nuts and bolts” of the health-care system.

“I haven’t got a vested curiosity within the system, however like all Prince Edward Islanders I am involved that we’ve an excellent high quality system obtainable to everybody once they want it,” she stated.
 



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