CANOE -- CNEWS - Politics: Tories: May be long wait to cap wait times

CANOE -- CNEWS - Politics: Tories: May be long wait to cap wait times: "OTTAWA (CP) - There could be a long wait time for the new Conservative plan to cap medical wait times. Health Minister Tony Clement acknowledges it will take a lot of work with provinces to implement the 'care guarantee' that his party promised during the election campaign.
The purpose of the guarantee is to ensure that patients get care within clinically acceptable time limits even if that means they must be sent to another province or country.
Details of the proposal have not been spelled out.
'It's not one of those ones where I can sort of waltz into the House of Commons and slap a bill down and say, 'OK, problem solved,' ' Clement said in an interview.
'This one takes a lot of collaboration with the provinces and territories. This is one where you're going to have to have people rowing in the same direction in order to make some progress.'
Manitoba Health Minister Tim Sale has already spoken against the notion of care guarantees, saying none of the provinces have extra capacity in the key areas where the most pain is.
David Spencer, a spokesman for Ontario Health Minister George Smitherman, said his province already has a wait times strategy, including a program for out-of-country treatment. "

Timely Medical Alternatives Inc.

Timely Medical Alternatives Inc.

Before you hit send...

Before you hit send...

The power of e-mail . beaware you might be on Candid camera worldwide . QJ

Laugh for Better Blood Vessels - RealAge Tip of the Day

Laugh for Better Blood Vessels - RealAge Tip of the Day: "Laugh for Better Blood Vessels



Laugh your way to better blood vessel function by watching a funny flick.
Laughter relaxes blood vessels and increases blood flow -- the exact opposite of what your blood vessels do when you are stressed. In a small study of healthy men and women with normal blood pressure, watching a funny movie increased blood flow by about 22 percent. If funny movies aren't your style, spend time with the people who tickle your funny bone.

RealAge Benefit: Laughing often can make your RealAge up to 8 years younger. "

A childless culture

A childless culture: "Canadian families do not make babies like they used to. A dramatic decline in fertility in recent decades, combined with an aging population, has the potential to transform every aspect of Canadian society, from schools and housing to social attitudes toward family. In this, the first of a four-part series, the National Post examines the far-reaching implications of the fertility crisis."

Ont. considers presumed consent for organ donations

What do you think ? An intrusion or a right for a good government cause? QJ

Ont. considers presumed consent for organ donations: "TORONTO -- The question of whether to make Ontario the first jurisdiction in Canada to allow hospitals to harvest organs from dying patients who don't register an objection is proving a weighty one for the province's elected officials.
New Democrat member Peter Kormos introduced a private member's bill Thursday that would presume consent for organ donations from any dying patient who hasn't already made their wishes clear. "

Man ready to go to U.S. to extend his life

It is all about Life and death choices - the man wants to live not more excuses from the health system which is supposed to be universal and free . What great value from his tax contribution . Discusting - this non delivery of universal care myth in Canada, QJ

Man ready to go to U.S. to extend his life: "Man ready to go to U.S. to extend his life
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Font: * * * * Pamela Cowan, Leader-Post
Published: Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Even as he underwent chemotherapy Tuesday afternoon, a desperate Swift Current man was planning to go to the United States to get a cancer drug that the Saskatchewan government has yet to approve.
'I don't think I can wait any longer,' said Bob Loeppky, 64. 'I have to look at other options so I'll either go to Minot, (N.D.) Great Falls (Mont.) or the Mayo Clinic in Rochester (Minn). It will depend on the travel connections.'"

B.C. eyes mixed health care

Finally choice and a step in the right direction QJ

B.C. eyes mixed health care: "VICTORIA - The British Columbia government signalled yesterday it will introduce major health care reforms -- including examining European models that offer a blend of publicly and privately delivered services -- to stem escalating costs that have made the existing system unsustainable.
In a Throne Speech with a heavy focus on health care, Premier Gordon Campbell's Liberals pledged to update the Canada Health Act on their own, if necessary."

12 Ways to Make Your RealAge Younger

12 Ways to Make Your RealAge Younger: "Below are the top 12 Grow Younger� strategies designed to make your RealAge younger. For personalized recommendations, take the RealAge test. "

Building the perfect dream team

Building the perfect team starts with you
Sieg Holle BS MBA

(Jan 2006) You can't do everything well. Actually, I'd go one further than that: there are a lot of things you shouldn't even think of doing yourself! I've met and consulted with many of the country's top-performing business advisors, and if they share one trait in common, it's this: they choose to focus only on those activities that make them the most successful, the most productive, and the most motivated. They delegate everything else, and that is part of the reason for their success.

Of course, it took time for these top performers to realize they couldn't reasonably do everything in their practices. Then they had to think a good deal about how they were going to give up control of various tasks and duties without eroding brand integrity. In many cases, this was the single most difficult challenge they had to overcome on their way to the top of their profession. Then they had to find the right people to give those responsibilities to. All of this took time, a good deal of strategy, and a multitude of teams. But make no mistake. The results have far surpassed their wildest expectations.

Let's assume that you share something in common with these top performers: you see big opportunities for your business practice. To capture these opportunities, you've come to realize that you need to give up control over certain tasks in order for you to take advantage of these opportunities. Do you see yourself assembling a team that will not only get the job done, but will get it done so well that existing clients and customers will never think of leaving, and new clients will be beating down your door to meet with you?
How are you going to do it? How do you find the right people? How can you determine whether these people have the "right stuff" that will take your business to the next level? What can you do to get them up to speed on how you intend to build your business?


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All of these are good questions. And all of them can be answered by thinking of team building as a strategic process, rather than something that just "happens." At the centre of this process is an understanding that a top performing team is comprised of three components, or "sub-teams."

(a) The Team Director or leader: The visionary leader who ensures all elements of the team are working together according to plan, and motivates team members to continually further business goals;
(b) The strategy team: Helps the Team Director set appropriate short-term and long-term business goals and formulate the core team;
(c) The core team: Individuals who excel at their specific tasks necessary for the business to accomplish its goals, yet can work together to achieve the Team Director's vision.

With this concept in mind, you can see team building is more than simply matching an individual to a job description. Rather, it's a systematic search for appropriate people who can competently help you through a new phase of growth.
Let's take a look at each of these sub-teams, in order to better understand their roles and how they work together. Keep in mind that while large, established business have a single person filling each of these roles, it's entirely possible that one or two people may wear several hats in any of these sub-teams (in fact, that's how most business people start out in the business).

The Team Director- Team leader
This is the leader of the business, and the most important member of the team-in other words, you. A team cannot function properly if they don't understand the vision for the business. They can't support you if they don't know your style and approach. As team leader, this is your primary responsibility-to align your team with your process and your business vision in order to achieve your business goals. If for whatever reason you feel you lack the skills to successfully communicate a business vision to team members, you must find a partner who has these skills.

The Strategy Team of advisors
Once you've clarified your role as Team Director, you need to establish a Strategy Team (I've heard some consultants refer to this group as the "growth team"). The strategy team is the group that directs big-picture business strategy, identifying business-building opportunities and defining long-term growth goals. This is the team that steers the business toward its success, helping you to assemble the ideal team which will take you where you want to go. It also monitors your progress towards those goals on a regular basis.
In addition to you, the Strategy Team can include one or all of the following:

Business coach: A like-minded, experienced expert who understands the operating challenges of the business, and can help capitalize on new opportunities
Professionals: HR professionals, business consultants, etc., who bring upper-level strategy and thinking to specific business challenges
Branch manager: A guide to help you utilize the firm's strategic and marketing resources to build your business
Peers and mentors: A set of business owners and entrepreneurs from both inside and outside the financial industry
Marketing associate: Your internal marketing expert, who has a natural "knack" for co-ordinating and systemizing marketing efforts
Industry wholesalers: Select outside of company representatives who have demonstrated themselves as an excellent resource for strategic marketing and business-building ideas
Client focus group: A small group of trusted clients who can give you honest, objective feedback on what you're doing right and what needs improvement

The Core TeamThese are the people who get the job done day in and day out. While the strategy team deals with higher-level strategy, your core team delivers management and client service systems. In addition to you, the common positions are:

Business manager: Who ensures business processes and systems are running smoothly and who handles day-to-day issues with team members
Executive assistant: A versatile, detail-oriented assistant who can keep the team leader organized and ensures that all constituencies follow procedures
Junior advisors: These are your advisors-in-training; junior staff members who show promise and can be molded in your image
Associate advisors: Well-trained and qualified advisors who handle specific areas of your business , and may have a small group of their own clients
General administration assistant: Who deal with paperwork, general client requests, and general office duties
Professional centres of influence (COIs): Accountants, lawyers, private bankers, and other professionals who can function as "partners" on specific client accounts
In-house specialists: brand managers, and other experts who perform specific tasks for your clients
Marketing associate: A key position which executes day-to-day marketing tasks and long-range marketing projects (co-ordinating the client newsletter, setting up media appointments, booking seminars, etc.)
Marketing writer/designer: Outside brand-building and positioning experts who can help you attract ideal clients and distinguish yourself from the competition
Vendors: Printers, caterers, vendors, gifting-experts, and other companies who you can count on to support your client service process and deliver world-class service to your top clients

At first glance, this list seems a bit daunting. But what's even more daunting is the prospect of doing all of this yourself. If you can't find a way to delegate these tasks, that's exactly what you'll be doing.

Keep in mind that top performers all face the same issues that you do — including the harvesting of big opportunities. And they all found a way to get there. Top performers recognize that becoming the Team Director is the secret to success: they treat team building as a strategic process, one that demands serious planning, a multitude of teams, and a good deal of time investment and commitment .
(12/19/05)
Sieg Holle is the creator of the Earn-it program group, an organization that helps individuals build world-class, global marketing practices through innovative concepts, tools, and systems since 1989. Contact holcrest@worldchat.com or 1-519-754-0018 for more information about building your wealth through innovative business strategies.

FCPP Publications :: Dr. Mark Godley, Founder, Maples Surgical Clinic, Winnipeg

It is all about choice QJ
FCPP Publications :: Dr. Mark Godley, Founder, Maples Surgical Clinic, Winnipeg: "Frontier Centre: In Manitoba and beyond, you have become a symbol for the idea that we should expand healthcare choices for consumers. Was that planned or an accident?
Dr. Mark Godley: Initially our plan for the opening the Maples Surgical Centre in Winnipeg was built on the backbone of a contract with the Worker�s Compensation Board, back in 2001. Subsequently, we had no intention of leaving once we had set up our facility here. We have always felt that we had a role to play in the delivery of healthcare to all Manitobans.
FC: Why do you think we have such long waiting lists for healthcare procedures?
MG: Like the problems with any monopoly, like the Soviet Union and other Communist-bloc countries had, when you take away competition, you take away innovation and efficiency and creativity. When you combine all that together, you have a system that has a recipe for a lack of productivity. Only when we see the delivery of healthcare being provided through a competitive, free marketplace will we see the patient coming to the top of the pyramid.
FC: Did we make a crucial structural error in public policy when the parameters for the Canada Health Act were written?
MG: I think the Canada Health Act is very noble. But I believe there isn�t a government in Canada today that follows it at every level of functioning. I believe we could strive towards the principles and the values of the Canada Health Act only by changing our current system.
FC: Have you followed what happened in Sweden when they split the purchaser of healthcare from the provider?
MG: I haven�t followed the Swedish model very carefully. I do know that it was initially a success, and I do know that in other OECD countries such as Switzerland where there is a split betwee"

Company plans private health care for Ont. this summer

Company plans private health care for Ont. this summer: "Company plans private health care for Ont. this summer
Across Canada by 2007

Don Copeman, president and founder of Copeman Healthcare, plans to open private clinics in Toronto, London and Ottawa. He launched his first clinic in Vancouver and plans several more.

Published: January 12, 2006
TORONTO -- A private health-care company announced Wednesday that it plans to move into Ontario this summer and every major Canadian city by 2007, but the province's health minister threatened heavy fines if the company contravenes legislation. "

Grits without honour

winnipegsun.com - Editorial - Grits without honour

If the Liberal Party of Canada had a shred of honour or decency left in it, Finance Minister Ralph Goodale would have tendered his resignation as a cabinet minister on Wednesday night, and it would have been immediately accepted by the PM.
Goodale's department is the subject of an RCMP investigation into whether there was a leak about changes to income trusts that allegedly resulted in a spurt of insider trading on the stock market before the announcement was officially made. Prime Minister Paul Martin said yesterday that he's standing by his embattled finance minister. "He is a person of the greatest integrity, and he will not be stepping down," Martin said.
If he's a person of such great integrity, however, then it's all the more reason why he should step down. Because, unlike the Liberals, we still believe in concepts like ministerial accountability and the greater good. And there's the bigger issue of the overall integrity of the government.
Goodale simply must resign as finance minister while his department is under criminal investigation.

winnipegsun.com - Editorial - The waiting game

winnipegsun.com - Editorial - The waiting game: "The Doer government continues to do everything in its power to try to prevent the privately-owned Maples Surgical Centre from succeeding in Manitoba.
The Maples opened its doors in Winnipeg in 2001. And from the very first day of its operations, the NDP has been trying to shut the facility down"

winnipegsun.com Politics again -what about the ustomers?

winnipegsun.com: "WCB pulls clinic's MRI patients
The Workers Compensation Board has stopped sending clients to the Maples Surgical Centre for MRIs, prompting accusations from the clinic's director that his facility has fallen victim to politics"

winnipegsun.com - Editorial - We're still waiting

winnipegsun.com - Editorial - We're still waiting: "Suspiciously, no benchmarks were provided for the fifth area the feds and provinces agreed to target -- access to diagnostic tests such as CAT scans and MRIs.
This is particularly disturbing because CAT scans and MRIs are vital diagnostic tools for three of the four other areas targeted for wait times reduction -- cancer treatment, cardiac disease and hip and knee replacements.
Thus, setting benchmarks for how long it should take to treat a patient after he or she is diagnosed is meaningless if the diagnosis is unduly delayed in the first place because the patient had to wait too long for a CAT scan or MRI.
Doctors have also warned that as the provinces shift around budgets to meet demands for improvement in these five targeted areas, wait times for other procedures will inevitably start to grow as they are starved for funding.
Our concern is that this so-called strategy to reduce wait times is starting to look more and more like a strategy to look busy while failing to reduce wait times. And that federal and provincial politicians will again do what they always do when it all falls apart: blame each other. "

winnipegsun.com - Tom Brodbeck - Public solidly supports private MRIs

winnipegsun.com - Tom Brodbeck - Public solidly supports private MRIs: "Canadians know that the government monopoly system isn't working well and they're beginning to accept the fact that, in some cases, taxpayers should be able to spend their own money to get care for themselves and their families.
It's no different than what every other developed country in the world has -- a mix of universal health care with private options. "

MRI choice- What is the problem?

The right of health choice debate - It comes down to service not government dictate QJ

winnipegsun.com - Manitoba - What's the problem?: "'When did we lose our freedom in this country?' said Corlett, who says he just wants to get better and return to work.

'Why do they have to control us?'

Corlett needs an MRI so his doctor can make a diagnosis and decide whether he needs surgery or not.In the meantime, he can't even lift his arm, much less work on airplanes.'I can't work because they don't have work for a one-armed person,' said Corlett.Like many patients who will use The Maples clinic, Corlett didn't have to pay out-of-pocket for his MRI. Instead, his insurance company did. Like many Manitobans, Corlett has private disability insurance and it's in his insurance company's best interest to get him an MRI as quickly as possible so he can be treated and return to work.In fact, the insurance company was planning to fly him to Calgary for an MRI until The Maples announced it would be providing MRIs.'Why do I have to go to Calgary when we've got one in Winnipeg?' said Corlett.Precisely.How can government possibly have a problem with this? Government sends Workers Compensation Board patients to clinics for preferential treatment.Why can't a private insurance company send one of its clients to a clinic, too?The Supreme Court of Canada ruled in a recent Quebec case that government cannot prevent people from buying private insurance and using it to obtain medical services if government is not providing that service in a timely fashion.Clearly, the Manitoba government is not providing elective MRIs in a timely fashion.So I'd say The Maples clinic has the blessing of Canada's top court.

Besides, if people like Corlett aren't getting their MRIs in Manitoba, they'll go out-of-province for them and they'll take their money with them"

winnipegsun.com - Manitoba - Private clinic to do MRIs today

winnipegsun.com - Manitoba - Private clinic to do MRIs today: "The Maples Surgical Centre is planning to switch on Manitoba's first private MRI today after the clinic received word late yesterday that it has received accreditation from the College of Physicians and Surgeons.
'It's official,' Dwayne Venter, general manager of the private clinic, told the Sun. 'It's been confirmed and we are slating patients from 10 o'clock on (today).'
The Maples will be the first clinic in Manitoba to provide MRI scans outside of the government health-care system. The fee for patients is $695 a scan.
But the clinic says it will be able to provide the service within 48 hours or less.
That's in sharp contrast to the three- to four"

Other parties dismantling medicare 'by stealth

Other parties dismantling medicare 'by stealth: "Other parties dismantling medicare 'by stealth
' NDP: Accuses premiers, too
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Shirley Douglas came out in support of NDP leader Jack Layton yesterday in Regina. She said the health care debate is at a turning point.
Published: Wednesday, December 14, 2005
REGINA - Jack Layton accused Paul Martin, Stephen Harper and three provincial premiers of launching a 'stealth' campaign to foist private health care on Canada, in a fiery speech in which he positioned his party as the only defender of medicare."

Great -how can you dismantle something which does not work-hmm -more rhetoric with little substance -PR