Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) Health Services held its annual general meeting (AGM) today, hosted by Robert Andrews, KC, Chair of the Board of Trustees, and Dr. Pat Parfrey, CEO. During the AGM, NL Health Services provided an overview of its performance based on its 2024-26 Strategic Plan.

“Over the last year, we have made significant improvements on our path to improve the health and well-being for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians throughout our province,” said Mr. Andrews. “These improvements support a health-care system that is more patient-centred and preventative, measuring success by health results. We have embraced digital solutions and advanced innovative approaches that drive improvements in quality of care and access to services. The accomplishments outlined in our 2024-25 annual performance report are the direct result of the compassion and dedication of NL Health Services’ employees, physicians and volunteers, and I thank them for the high-quality care they deliver each day.”

The 2024-26 Strategic Plan outlines five priority areas for NL Health Services including: Transformation, Our People, Access, Quality and Health Equity. For a list of some highlights of the provincial health authority’s performance in each of these areas, please see the backgrounder below.

“In less than three years, NL Health Services has made significant progress on its journey to reshape the health-care system for the people of the province,” said Dr. Parfrey. “I am proud of the progress NL Health Services has made to achieve the goals outlined in the 2024-26 Strategic Plan. Achievements, both large and small, are taking place throughout all areas. Each day, I see the collaboration, perseverance and continued engagement between employees, physicians, community partners and others to advance shared priorities improving health and health outcomes for all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.”

The Annual Performance Report 2024-25 is available in its entirety on NL Health Services website at nlhealthservices.ca/overview/strategic-plan.  

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BACKGROUNDER

Below is a list of some of the highlights of NL Health Services’ achievements as outlined in its Annual Performance Report.

Transformation

• Began building a modern, province-wide ambulance system, integrating community and private services under one coordinated network to improve emergency response times and patient care.
• Established eight strategic health networks and four service integration teams to improve coordination and standardize care in geographic zones across the province.
• Continued to rollout the new health information system, CorCare, the largest digital health transformation in our province’s history. CorCare will connect patient records across the system for faster, safer, and more efficient care.

Our People

• Introduced, in partnership with the Department of Health and Community Services, new strategies such as financial incentives, career development opportunities, and wellness initiatives to retain and support teams.
• Successfully recruited 93 per cent of the 2024 Bachelor of Nursing graduates from local schools and expanded opportunities for internationally educated nurses to become licensed practical nurses.
• Seven physician incentive programs to help welcome more doctors to communities in the province.
• Used the Health Standards Organization’s Global Workforce Survey to provide a clearer picture of workplace culture and safety and help guide future improvements.

Access

• Made significant progress in 2024-25 by decreasing wait times for inpatient adult addiction treatment by 34 per cent, surpassing our goal of a 10 per cent reduction.
• Increased the volume of joint replacements performed by over 14 per cent as well as coronary artery bypass graft surgeries by eight per cent compared to the previous year.
• Opened a new Acute Care of the Elderly Unit at Western Memorial Regional Hospital in Corner Brook, with a second unit underway at St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital in St. John’s.
• Expanded virtual care services across the province, including in emergency rooms, primary care, and post-operative care, making it easier for people to get the care they need, closer to home.

Quality

• Continued to improve how we engage with the people we serve through Patient and Family Experience Advisors and Community Advisory Committees so that we work towards better health outcomes for the people of the province.
• Launched, in 2024–25, four rapid learning and improvement initiatives which help test and implement changes quickly to improve care and services.
• Introduced new structures to support evidence-based decision-making, including the creation of the Office of Patient-Centred Measurement and a new Quality and Safety Scorecard to track progress and guide improvements.
• Implemented standardized care pathways in key areas like primary care, emergency services, surgery, and seniors’ health to increase consistency and improve outcomes so that people receive the care they need, in the most appropriate setting.

Health Equity

• Opened two new health facilities, the Western Memorial Regional Hospital and the Mental Health and Addictions Centre in St. John’s, each featuring dedicated spiritual healing spaces to support cultural and spiritual well-being.
• Awarded 169 well-being grants, totaling over $147,000, to initiatives that address the social factors that impact health like housing, food security, and community connection.
• Co-hosted well-being fairs and “A Time for Health” events in three zones which aimed to build stronger networks and improve health literacy across the province.
• Exceeded clinical trial enrollment goals, with over 2,400 participants. This work provides more people access to innovative treatments and helping advance health research in Newfoundland and Labrador.