As part of PHSA, we operate within the context of a larger mental health and substance use care system in which several organizations and stakeholders play key roles:
- Ministry of Health
- Ministry of Mental Health and Addiction
- Ministry of Child and Family Development
- Ministry of Public Safety and the Solicitor General
- B.C. Office of the Auditor General
- Regional health authorities
- Criminal justice system
- Community partners and agencies
- Unions
- WorkSafe BC
- Patients, clients and families
Working with PHSA, BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services supports these provincial health care goals as defined by the Ministry of Health:
- Support the health and well-being of British Columbians
- Deliver a system of responsive and effective health care services across B.C.
- Ensure funding is managed effectively
In support of these goals, and in alignment with the PHSA, BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services has six directional priorities for 2019-2022:
We will design and deliver the highest quality of care across all our programs, implementing new and innovative approaches, and improving continually. We will actively engage with our clients and their loved ones to deepen our understanding of what matters most to them in their care experience, and we will provide seamless care from the moment of referral through to transition back into the community.
Monitor performance and continuously improve the quality and safety of our programs in accordance with the BC Quality and Patient Safety Framework.
Listen and learn from clients and families to understand their lived experience and to partner with them in planning, design, research and practice.
Strengthen and promote the role of clinical and organizational ethics in patient care.
We acknowledge our responsibility to protect our clients, staff and community from threats to their health and safety. We will develop and implement policies to manage threats, respond quickly and effectively to emergencies, and ensure the safest environment for everyone.
Ensure the health and safety of clients and staff during pandemics and outbreaks.
Evaluate and improve the effectiveness of our response to the opioid emergency and integrate evidence-based services into operations.
Protect the health and safety of clients and staff during natural disasters (i.e. earthquakes, flood, wildfires or other disasters).
We appreciate the importance of people and will invest in our individuals and teams to help them achieve their highest level of their competency, promote their development, and provide what they need to reach their full potential. We want all our people to find purpose and satisfaction in their contribution to the mission of BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services.
Develop strategies for recruitment, development, and retention of staff, physicians and leaders by creating and implementing workforce plans.
Develop and implement a competency framework and annual education plan across BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services and provide opportunities for staff to develop specialized expertise in their unique areas of practice.
Build a culture that promotes and ensures the physical and psychological health, resiliency, and well-being of all physicians and staff.
4. Advance, apply, and share knowledge
We will strengthen our efforts to generate and share knowledge, promote evidence-based care, and collaborate with our academic partners to provide the best possible care to our clients. We will develop new ways of finding and sharing information, learn from our clients’ experiences of care, contribute to new and relevant research, and promote a culture of learning and reflection across BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services.
Generate new knowledge about mental health and substance use through focused clinical, health systems, and population health research.
Generate and spread knowledge of effective practices, system improvements and population-based approaches by improving access to the most current research, program standards, guidelines, and data on improving clinical care and service delivery.
Improve academic partnerships and affiliations and expand opportunities for student internships, practicum placements, fellowships and other initiatives.
We will improve the quality of care, access to services, and responsiveness to clients through virtual health. This will allow our services to have an even greater impact, and enhance the experience of clients and their loved ones.
Improve access to care for complex populations by expanding the use of virtual mental health, substance use and primary care services.
Evaluate crisis lines and provide recommendations for a future model of service delivery and technology platform.
Implement the Cerner electronic health record across BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services.
In collaboration with our partners, we will enable the health care system to better serve people with complex needs. We will increase our engagement and leadership presence provincially, nationally and internationally, and will contribute to evidence-based care to advance the field of mental health, substance use and correctional health.
Expand health literacy initiatives in collaboration with our partners and strengthen our approach to addressing structural stigma related to mental illness and substance use in the health care and criminal justice systems.
Partner with clients and families, government, regional health authorities, the First Nations Health Authority, housing, criminal justice, and other stakeholders to improve and streamline the system of care.
For more information on the strategic direction and priorities of BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services, download and read the BCMHSUS 2019-2022 directional plan.
Our strategic priorities and directions are directly related to our place in the provincial continuum of care for British Columbians with mental health or substance use concerns. This continuum includes various levels, or tiers, of care for people according to their needs. Most people need only lower-tier services available through their regional health authorities. These might include consultations with family doctors and specialists, counselling, psychology, and residential treatment for mental health and substance use issues.
A lesser number of people need higher-tier, specialized services because they suffer from more complex and severe mental health and substance use concerns. Their needs go beyond what the local health authorities offer.
Our strategic priorities and direction serve these clients and patients, who need the most specialized services available.
This diagram helps
illustrate our place on the continuum:
To learn more about our systems
work in B.C., including the care continuum, visit Leading the Response to the B.C.
Auditor General.
This
diagram helps illustrate our place on the continuum:
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