Health Networks That Work For Canadians

COVID-19 shows clearly that there is an urgent need for Canadian and global healthcare systems to respond effectively to disruptions in availability of critical products. With SSHRC Partnership funding awarded in 2021-2022, Dr. Anne Snowdon from the Odette School of Business is leading a new network to respond to this urgent need. Through the Supply Chain Advancement Network in Health (SCAN Health), her program is creating a community of practice to establish a formalized knowledge mobilization and research platform to connect, inform, and mobilize the collective expertise of diverse stakeholders to strengthen supply chain resilience across Canadian health systems. SCAN Health brings together governments, healthcare leadership, private sector partners, researchers, and healthcare users to enable the co-design of collaborative solutions and strategies. Informed by research evidence, SCAN Health will support the capacity of healthcare supply chain to protect the health and wellness of Canadians and the healthcare workers, contribute to Canada’s economic recovery from the global pandemic, and scale strategies to optimize health supply chain resilience in the post-pandemic future. In its first year, SCAN Health has been developing its priorities in consultation with partners, with the goal of ensuring equitable and inclusive input from all sectors of the Canadian healthcare sector, including patients and community members. “Future health systems must shift towards a more outcome-focused, equitable health system to ensure every person everywhere has access to care to realize their full health potential,” says Dr. Snowdon, in describing the goals of the program. “These new solutions and platforms, informed by research, will enable understanding, collaboration and coordination among the many supply chain teams and stakeholders across Canada to advance and strengthen supply chain resilience, contribute to Canada’s global competitiveness, effectively respond to disruptions in supply and protect the health and safety of all Canadians.” Six workgroups will examine key components of the health supply chain, and regular dialogue forums and public events will ensure that SCAN Health keeps its finger on the pulse of the healthcare sector.

SCAN Health Scientific Director and CEO Dr. Anne Snowdon speaks at network event in Edmonton in 2021.