Healthcare 2030: A Future Health Service for the Western Cape

Western Cape Minister of Health, Theuns Botha, introduced the final draft of the Healthcare 2030 – the strategic framework for increasing the wellness of the Western Cape population and the creation of a better health service on 9 October 2013.

Western Cape Minister of Health, Theuns Botha says “This document sets out the vision, values and principles that will guide the Department over the next 16 years. The document presents a strategic framework for the Department together with a set of planning parameters and tools that can be incrementally applied.”

Minister Botha said “In our planning we are faced with the challenge that the Western Cape is one of the largest recipients of in-migration from other provinces and beyond. This has been confirmed by the Census 2011. The growth from 2001 to 2011 for WC is 28,7% and is only second to Gauteng. We will be making a representation to National Health and Treasury that the province will be compensated adequately in the equitable share allocation of the budget for the significant increase in population growth of the province.“

The public will have a final opportunity to comment on the contents of the final draft before it is submitted to the Western Cape Cabinet for approval in December.

Focus of the plan
The plan focuses on the steps required to address the burden of disease, increase the wellness of communities and ensure patient-centred quality care. The plan has four pillars:
• a person-centred approach,
• Integrated provision of care, that is various health professionals working in a cohesive manner with the patient
• Continuity of care, that is continued support for the patient
• A life course perspective, meaning a holistic approach and treating patients throughout their lives, not once-off interactions

Minister Botha said: “The aim is to treat the patient holistically, make them aware of how their decisions influence their health status and to improve their quality of life overall.”

As part of the plan the department will also strengthen its advocacy role through wide engagement with other departments and stakeholders outside of government, focussing specifically on:
• Reducing Infectious diseases such as HIV/TB
• Improving healthy lifestyles
• Preventing injuries and violence
• Improving maternal and child health
• Strengthening women’s health
• Improving Mental Health
This is because the Western Cape Government recognises that it cannot tackle these challenges alone. A whole of society approach is needed that includes all three spheres of government, the private sector, civil society, communities and citizens.

Development of the plan
The 2030 plan builds on the comprehensive service plan of Healthcare 2010 by further strengthening community-based services (CBS), primary health care (PHC) and district hospitals and looks at how the department will work within this platform.

The framework was developed by focusing on three main areas:
• Changes, including opportunities and threats in the external environment; such as advances in technology and change in availability of resources
• Building on the lessons learnt from the Comprehensive Service Plan (CSP) of 2010; and
• Fresh thinking about a re-imagined future.

“These areas have provided a compelling context for change and created an exciting opportunity to take the Department to new heights,” says Prof. Craig Househam, Western Cape Head of Health.

Several factors have been taken into account in the redevelopment of the strategy such as demography, socio-economic determinants of health, burden of disease and its associated risk factors. The plan’s objectives are also in line with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the 2030 National Development Plan (NDP), and the provincial strategic objective to improve wellness.

“The Department will build on the strong foundation, direction and many other achievements of the Comprehensive Service Plan (CSP) and learn from the lessons in its planning and implementation towards 2030,” said Prof. Househam.

The World Health Organisation framework was also used as a guide for the plan’s approach to Wellness.

“The process of developing the 2030 strategy has already begun to energise, excite and engage our staff and strategic partners. Comments on the first version of the 2030 strategy document were incorporated into the second version,” said Prof. Househam.

The draft document was circulated for public comment in 2012. Stakeholders, staff and the public were invited to engage with the department at specially convened sessions in geographic service areas. Forty-two written submissions were received which raised interesting, relevant and creative ideas.  This final draft is again released to provide the public with a final opportunity to comment before the plan is submitted to the Provincial Cabinet in December 2013.

The document is available at http://www.westerncape.gov.za/assets/departments/health/healthcare2030.pdf