March 12, 2002

Alan Dolman, Chairman

Interior Health Authority

2180 Ethel Street,

Kelowna, BC V1T 3A1   Via e-mail    pdf 

Dear Mr. Dolman: 

Re: Reorganization of Healthcare – a new direction.

The Premier and the government are seeking a new model, new methods and systems to manage healthcare, reduce excessive spending, and to control cost. Issues that are vital for BC’s comparable advantages and hence, BC’s ability to attract and stimulate investment in economic production that ultimately control the socioeconomic factors that secure good health.  

This is to inform you and the Ministry of Health that Intelliet and a European corporation are forming a division that will offer the European company integrated clinical and financial IT system and management solutions for healthcare in North America. Managed by a Canadian and European team, the plan is to locate the division in the Kelowna area and start operations within the first half of this year.   

With more than 10,000 employees and net sales in excess of 1.2 billion euros, the corporation is a leading provider of integrated IT management and outsourcing services in Europe. In addition to supporting service and training, ongoing development of the healthcare system, as well as other systems for Forests and other sectors that may also be located in the Okanagan.  

The development is a result of an initiative taken by P&A; starting with P&A’s discussion paper  “Regional Health Care” submitted to OSHR and to the BC and Federal Ministries of Health in 1994.  Later research carried out within the Okanagan Institute for Strategic Development (OISD), has also contributed to the development.  

As a footnote: problems in the allocation mechanism, and subsequent problems in Healthcare, Forests and Fisheries was the decisive reason for a group of people to form OISD.  That is also the reason why VentureBC, an Industry Canada initiative, has taken an anchoring stake in Intelliet’s development  -- as the issues affect the investment and liquidity flow in the economy and in particular affect SMEs.   

The European corporation recognized the research and preceding work. Subsequent discussion between OISD, P&A, VentureBC, and the European corporation, has lead to the planned establishment of the division in North America, and an initial focus on the healthcare sector. 

To paraphrase Albert Einstein, “The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them.”                                                                                                                                    …….2

We feel it is significant that neither Intelliet, nor OISD nor P&A have participated in or received any advantage from the existing system.   

The reorganization and modernizing of healthcare will require a new IT and administration model.  Intelliet offers an unbiased approach and new thinking into issues such as:  

·        establishing consumption (C+Q+Q1) in order to manage excess  

·        controlling costs – redirecting spending 

·        utilizing public health, education, information and the socioeconomic factors that secure good somatic and mental health 

·        moving the first line of responsibility for good health from government and the doctor’s office to the individual – through education and information 

·        promoting preventive behavior - implementing incentives that promote good health 

·        providing the public with online patient advice (diagnostic) system, “do I need and when do I need to see a doctor or a nurse?” 

·        providing physicians and nurses with an integrated and secure patient information and diagnostic   system,     

·        implementing new incentive models for physicians, nurses and staff   

·        minimizing spending on trivial conditions and needless medication    

·        prioritizing centralization – what is important is proper care and treatment not location   

·        ensuring those who need, get and have access to timely qualified care by paramedics, nurses and doctors  

·        utilizing and capitalizing on spin-offs from the healthcare system in the IT and other sectors

 We would like to propose a meeting to discuss what Intelliet and the new division can offer the Interior Health region, the healthcare system and ultimately the BC economy at large.   

I have sent a copy of this to the Honourable Colin Hansen Via e-mail and Fax 1.250.356.9587  

 Yours truly,

 

Kell Petersen

 

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