JUNE 2003 - Alberta Centre for Injury Control & Research

SUMMARY AND IMPLEMENTATION
RECOMMENDATIONS
Alberta’s injury challenge is significant. This Alberta Injury Control
Strategy describes the specific challenges and identifies the key directions
that the province needs to take to make Alberta a safer place to live. Now
specific steps must be taken to bring the strategy to fruition. The following
recommendations address the next steps to be taken.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPLEMENTING THE ALBERTA
INJURY CONTROL STRATEGY
• Enhance provincial coordination and collaboration Enhance provincial
coordination and
collaboration
Authorize and approve the Alberta Centre for Injury Control and Research
with a provincial mandate and broad stakeholder endorsement for injury
control coordination and collaboration support. The ACICR, funded by
Alberta Health and Wellness, is viewed as another “health” organization
with no funding from other government ministries to support its mission and
operation. The ACICR has taken a facilitative approach in working with
stakeholders across the province by supporting stakeholders with specific
requests and expert resources as available. Some stakeholders are not
familiar with the ACICR. With policy support from all provincial
government ministries and other stakeholders, the profile and coordination
role of the ACICR can be enhanced. The preferred coordination and
collaborative role to be taken by the ACICR needs to be agreed upon by
stakeholders in injury control, including the role of the ACICR in the
Alberta Injury Control Strategy.
• Develop and sell the business case Develop and sell
the business case
Preventable injuries cost Albertans billions of dollars annually in both direct
and indirect costs. Evidence exists on effective interventions to prevent
injuries and to manage injuries effectively when they occur. Through the
coordinated leadership of ACICR and other stakeholders, develop a
compelling business case to reinforce the cost benefits of effective injury
prevention programs, followed by effective treatment, management and
rehabilitation services. Such evidence will be critical to obtaining support
for implementation of the Alberta Injury Control Strategy.
• Develop an implementation plan Develop an
implementation plan
Entrust the coordinating body of ACICR and a broadened advisory body of
stakeholders to develop a plan for implementing the Alberta Injury Control
Strategy. The plan needs to identify specific injury priorities and initiatives
on an annual basis, designating and obtaining agreements on specific
stakeholder responsibilities and accountabilities.
Making Alberta the Safest Place to Live
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