In September 2000, each of Canada’s provinces and territories committed to performance-based management by agreeing to report on a number of common indicators, thereby ensuring accountability in Canada’s health care system. As with MTCU’s CIPMS, common data allows for the comparison of performance and the opportunity to learn between programs individually and provincially. Monitoring overall provincial results enables the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) to evaluate the impact of this initiative on the health of Ontarians.
An excellent example of the MOHLTC’s commitment to the process of performance-based management is the development of a client-centred system of services and supports in the mental health system, which will be monitored through a Mental Health Accountability Framework. It is comprised of the following components:
According to the MOHLTC’s Mental Health Accountability Framework document, the next steps in implementing their system include the development of outcomes-based performance measures, data collection requirements, benchmarks and standards for service user outcomes, services and supports. Their programs and organizations will be accountable through measurable and evidence-based results to demonstrate that their funding is effectively and efficiently achieving their predetermined goals or outcomes, thereby contributing to meeting system-wide goals.
The goals of this framework are extremely similar to CIPMS as it is currently being implemented in Ontario’s literacy organizations. “Through a continuous process of setting expectations, monitoring performance, reporting on outcomes, and making improvements, organizations/programs and services/supports can be as efficient and effective as possible and can contribute to meeting system-wide goals.” Endnote 33