January 2014
| Business World Magazine | 99
innovative programs.
It doesn’t own the ambulances or aircraft,
nor does it run the hospitals where some
emergency patients eventually wind up for
further treatment. EHS is designed after the
public utility model where government be-
comes a good purchaser of services.
Key foundational principles include a
failsafe system design, third-party validation
through multiple accreditation processes,
performance and evidence-based/informed
programs, health system partnerships, pub-
lic accountability, performance incentives,
healthy public-private relationships and a
focus on innovation.
Most importantly, the end result of the
system design in Nova Scotia is the benefits
to patients served.
This includes consistent and quality care,
quality equipment, system accountability
and appropriate oversight. Benefits to the
province include quality care to citizens, fi-
