TASK FORCE ENDS

Task Force Revitalization Process

Since the resignation of the CTFPHC scientific panel in April 2005 (see press release below), the Public Health Agency of Canada has taken the lead in the development and execution of a strategy to revitalize the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care. An in depth consultation and contributions from a Stakeholders’ Advisory Committee have contributed to the revitalization process. It is anticipated that announcements will be made in late 2006 or early 2007.

Until such time as revitalization occurs, visitors to the CTFPHC website in search of reviews and recommendations on particular preventive actions should attend to the date of the review and assess its currency

Click here for the Press Release

Click here for the Website Implications

PRESS RELEASE – June 20, 2005

CANADIAN TASK FORCE ON PREVENTIVE HEALTH CARE ENDS

London, ON. - Due to a lack of provincial and federal funding for the past three years, all eight members of the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care (CTFPHC) have resigned. As a result they will produce no new or updated reviews or recommendations to family doctors, specialist physicians, other health professionals, and policymakers on preventive health care issues facing Canadians.

"The CTFPHC work has been critical to Canada's primary health care system and the lack of government support to continue its work will create a significant gap in Canada's Health Care System," says Dr. John Feightner, Chair of the CTFPHC and professor of family medicine at The University of Western Ontario's Schulich School of Medicine. "We have been working with the Public Health Agency of Canada and key stakeholders to develop a new Task Force model, which has been an important first step for the future. It is now time for the Agency to take immediate action to implement and provide appropriate funding for this model to ensure support is available to health care professionals and policymakers on health care issues affecting Canadians."

The team made up of clinician-researchers systematically reviewed the evidence for clinical prevention and made recommendations regarding what was effective and what was not. A wide range of health care practitioners have relied on its recommendations on issues such as osteoporosis, breast cancer screening and prevention, and hormone replacement therapy. Prior to disbanding, the CTFPHC panel completed reviews on obesity prevention and treatment, preventing falls in long term care settings, and the impact of exercise on day-to-day function in older adults.

The College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC), the national health organization responsible for the training and ongoing education of family physicians, supports the call for a renewed commitment of government funding for the Task Force. The College is concerned about the impact that a continued delay in funds will have on the work of the Task Force, so important for the health care provided by family doctors to Canadians.

"Family doctors rely on the clinical practice guidelines and recommendations of this Task Force to provide the best evidence-based preventive care for their patients," said Dr. Alain Pavilanis, President of the CFPC. "Immediate assurances of appropriate funding will ensure that this resource is not lost. And with an increasing focus on disease prevention and health promotion by the new Public Health Agency of Canada, support for the work of the Task Force is an important element in helping family doctors to continue to deliver the highest standard of care to Canadians."

CTFPHC was a national organization. It was funded through a federal/provincial/territorial agreement until three years ago when the provinces unilaterally pulled out of the funding strategy which supported the Task Force.

For more information, please contact Dr. Feightner at (519) 850-2511, ext. 86013.

WEBSITE IMPLICATIONS

Due to the circumstances outlined above, once the reviews recently completed by the CTFPHC are posted on the website, no new reviews or recommendations will be produced until the situation is resolved. At present the CTFPHC office is committed to maintaining the website. Any modifications in the services currently provided on the website will be posted subsequently.

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