New Brunswick looks to Netherlands for senior care ideas

Health officials and care providers grappling with how to deal with an aging population were given a glimpse into the Dutch medical system Wednesday in Moncton.

Keynote speaker Dr. Guus Bannenberg, the CEO of the Dutch healthcare foundation TragelZorg told the government-staged summit on alternate methods of care for seniors that New Brunswick shares many challenges with the Netherlands.

Bannenberg described how the Dutch healthcare system manages patient care and sustainability while dealing with an aging population and associated costs.

The Dutch system has a combination of public and private care providers at a cost of $7,000 per capita. The system also includes a minimum annual payment of $500 out-of-pocket for access to hospital care..

The focus in the Netherlands is on primary care, with the belief being through physicians and community health organizations, the number of seniors being referred to hospitals and specialized care facilities can be better managed and reduce the strain on hospitals.

The Dutch system also includes creating community health cooperatives, and putting health-care technology in patients' homes to monitor and treat their conditions.

Doctors in the Netherlands don't work in their hospitals but keep the focus on treating patients in their homes. Doctors play a key role in determining the seriousness of each patient and as a point of access for receiving higher levels of care.

"I think you have to talk to the doctors and say either you work in primary care or hospitals and get these systems to work together.- Dr. Guus Bannenberg, CEO of Dutch healthcare foundation

"I think you have to talk to the doctors and say either you work in primary care or hospitals and get these systems to work together," said Bannenberg.

It would take at least two to three years to develop a similar model in New Brunswick, he said.

"I think they're very interested in these new ideas, that's the reason why we have this conference today," saidBannenberg. "Of course it takes more time to develop strategies for this.

"New Brunswick has to find [its] own way to find the future."

Victor Boudreau attends

Health Minister VictorBoudreauwas on hand and said while the Dutch system isn't an instant solution to the province's problems with senior care,it's always good to have different perspectives.

"The system is quite different than ours, but there were some similarities in there, I think of the "Home First" strategy, for example so there are some things we're already doing," saidBoudreau.

Boudreauwas intrigued by the Dutch use of community health facilities and the integration of the private sector into the health care system, but admits it's still a touchy subject in this country.

"If somebody outside of government can do a better job at delivering a service than we can and it's going to satisfy the patient's needs, it's going to reduce wait times, than why wouldn't we at least take a look at that?" saidBoudreau.