The Department of Health and Wellness provides oversight to health services in the province in accordance with the Health Services Act. It establishes an accountability framework, standards for health services, performance targets, policy or guidelines for the management of operations and delivery of services and approves business plans and budgets.
The Department also provides leadership in all matters related to public health and health promotion and informs policy to improve the health and well-being of citizens.
Some of the priorities in this mandate are to:
- Enhance primary care through the active recruitment and deployment of skilled front-line workers
- Continue to advance a culture of wellness in the province
- Work with Health PEI to advance service delivery, clinical decision making and adherence to fiscal goals
- Advance rural health delivery, including the implementation of regional district advisory councils
- Work with other social policy departments on a renewed Mental Health and Addictions strategy
Structure and Employees
Population Health Assessment and Surveillance
Population Health Assessment and Surveillance provides advice and expertise to the Chief Public Health Office, Deputy Minister, and Minister on key health issues in PEI.
The unit is responsible for monitoring and reporting on health status and health trends in PEI. The unit supports evidence-based decision making, and promotes continuous improvement by generating, analyzing and interpreting information. The scope of the program and services within the section are: production of technical population health reports, interpretation and analysis of national reports to make information relevant to PEI surveillance of communicable and non-communicable diseases, population research, development of population health databases, and evaluation of health initiatives.
Environmental Health
Environmental Health protects the health and safety of Islanders and visitors through education, inspections of public and private services and facilities, and consultation regarding environmental health risks. The main focus of the Environmental Health section is prevention of illness as it relates to specific program areas including food safety, water safety, enteric disease prevention and control, milk processing, restricting youth access to tobacco and electronic smoking devices, and smoke-free places.
Health Promotion
Healthy living can lead to better overall health. Islanders can reduce their risk for illness by making healthier choices daily and working together to create supportive, healthy environments at home, work and in our communities.
Healthy living is a shared responsibility and all Islanders have a role to play. The following sections will guide you to many provincial and national resources to help you and your family make healthy lifestyle choices.
Communicable Disease Program
The Chief Public Health Office is mandated by the Public Health Act and the Notifiable Diseases and Conditions and Communicable Diseases Regulations to control certain communicable diseases in PEI. The Communicable Disease Program contributes to this mandate through policy development, disease surveillance, case follow-up, contact tracing, immunization and education.
Financial Services
Financial Services Section provides financial planning, and analysis services with respect to program creation, policy creation, and program spending for the Minister, Deputy Minister, and management of the Department. The section also provides assistance and advice relating to budgetary, financial, policy, and administrative matters on programs, projects and services.
Human Resources
Human Resources is part of the PEI Public Service Commission and has been assigned to provide direction, leadership, advice, coaching, and support to the Department of Health and Wellness with regard to all aspects of human resources (HR) and labour relations (LR) management. It ensures policies and programs are consistent and kept aligned with the strategic direction, while also supporting the department in advancing its mandate. It provides a full range human resource services and support including human resource planning, classification, recruitment and selection, payroll, occupational health and safety, employee assistance program, diversity program, learning and development, French language training and policy development.
Health Policy and Planning
The Health Policy and Programs Division is responsible for health-related policy and planning, including inter-governmental relations, legislation, health policy, health workforce planning and the regulation of private nursing homes and community care facilities. This Division is responsible to support and assist the Department of Health and Wellness in the areas of human resource management and financial administration.
Pharmacare Program
Emergency Health Services
Senior's Health
Community Health Programs
National Health File Secretariat
Health Workforce and Recruitment
Pharmaceutical Services
Agencies, Boards and Commissions
- Council of the Prince Edward Island College of Occupational Therapists
- Community Care Facilities and Nursing Homes Board
- Community Health Engagement Committees
- Council of the College of Allied Health Professionals of Prince Edward Island
- Council of the College of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of Prince Edward Island
- Council of the College of Counselling Therapy of Prince Edward Island
- Council of the College of Dental Hygienists of Prince Edward Island
- Council of the College of Dietitians of Prince Edward Island
- Council of the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of PEI
- Council of the College of Massage Therapists of PEI
- Council of the College of Paramedicine of Prince Edward Island
- Council of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Prince Edward Island
- Council of the College of Registered Nurses and Midwives of Prince Edward Island
- Council of the Prince Edward Island Chiropractic Association
- Council of the Prince Edward Island College of Pharmacy
- Council of the Prince Edward Island College of Physiotherapy
- Council of the Prince Edward Island Dental College
- Health PEI Board of Directors
- Mental Health Review Board
- Prince Edward Island Psychologists Registration Board
- Promoting Wellness, Preserving Health Action Plan Implementation Council
- The Council of the Prince Edward Island College of Optometrists
Hon. D. Mark V. McLane
- Deputy MinisterLisa Thibeau
- Executive Administrative Assistant to the MinisterSandra Acorn
- Executive Administrative Assistant to the Deputy MinisterErin Butler
- Senior Communication OfficerAutumn Tremere