At their AGM this month, the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) accepted and approved a report on health care transformation and the need to modernize Medicare - particularly in light of the aging society. Among other things, the report focused on improving population health, patient satisfaction and value for investment.

The report calls for a re-examination of the Canada Health Act to help close accessibility gaps in continuing care and develops a policy framework under five pillars:

• Build a culture of patient-centred care
• Enhance access and improving quality of care
• Improve patient access along the continuum of care - outside acute care facilities
• Help providers help patients with adequate supply of health human resources
• Establish accountability/responsibility at all levels

At their annual meeting earlier this month, Canada's Premiers identified "ballooning health costs" are the elephant in their Winnipeg meeting room". Quebec Premier Jean Charest put it bluntly, "Canada has a problem. The cost of health care is rising very rapidly."

According to national media reports BC Premier Gordon Campbell agreed health care costs remain "a significant issue" that must be addressed if the system is to survive.

At the conclusion of their meeting, Mr. Charest, Mr. Campbell and the 11 other Canadian Premiers made a commitment to start talks with the federal government with a view to renewing a multi-billion dollar federal health funding deal that expires in 2014.

In their 2009 Action Plan update for the BC Health Minister, the BC Care Providers Association encouraged the provinces to get the federal government more involved in the issue and make the challenges associated with our aging society more of a federal priority.

New plans for Carlton Gardens will provide up-to-date residential care facility for Burnaby seniors.

Fraser Health and Chartwell Seniors Housing REIT have announced plans to completely redevelop the aging Carlton Gardens into a modern, up-to-date residential care facility for seniors. The new 128-bed facility, which will open in 2012-2013, will be Burnaby's most modern facility and will provide the highest level of care possible to its residents.

"Our government is committed to supporting the development of housing that meets the complex and changing needs of our seniors," said Richard T. Lee, MLA Burnaby North. "The new Carlton Gardens will offer the care that Burnaby seniors need to allow them to remain in their community, close to family and friends."

Chartwell will invest approximately $27 million in the two-year redevelopment project that will include closing and demolishing the current 142-bed facility to make way for a brand-new construction. Fraser Health will provide $7.4 million annually to fund 116 residential-care beds at the site. The other 12 residential-care beds will be private-pay making up the maximum total of 128 beds permitted by City of Burnaby development regulations. Fraser Health will purchase an additional 26 beds from other providers so there is no reduction in the number of funded beds.