HSPnet - About HSPnet - National Alliance

The National HSPnet Alliance was established in 2004 by the BC Academic Health Council, to allow other Canadian provinces to access the HSPnet system on a cost recovery basis. Alliance members receive a free license to HSPnet in exchange for contributing to the costs of managing the system, training and supporting users, and developing enhancements.

The National Alliance is governed by a national HSPnet Steering Committee (NSC), comprised of representatives from participating jurisdictions. The mandate of the NSC is to:

• Guide the strategic direction of HSPnet in Canada through planning and prioritization of activities for ongoing system expansion and improvement;

• Determine policies and processes to harmonize HSPnet operations across jurisdictions and ensure the efficient operation of the shared infrastructure;

• Oversee evaluation of HSPnet operations, the shared infrastructure, and Alliance outcomes;

• Ensure the financial sustainability of the Alliance through annual budget development, review and monitoring of the cost sharing formula, and support of initiatives to seek external funding.

• NSC Terms of Reference

HSPnet Strategic Plan

The HSPnet Alliance supports a federation of provincial networks, each with local management and accountability, that access a shared infrastructure for operations, enhancement, evaluation, and policy development. A strategic plan for 2007 to 2010 is under development and will be published later this year. The strategic plan will strive to maximize the cross-provincial benefits of the Alliance:

• Cost efficiency and system sustainability through:

economies of scale
sharing of expertise and human resources
pooling of investment for infrastructure and system enhancement;

• Access to standardized data, within and across jurisdictions, for studying practice education activities and outcomes;

• Provision of a national forum and access to information that supports provincial and regional communities interested in collaboration and knowledge transfer; and

• Adherence to a standardized data privacy and security framework and national policies that meet best practices and legislative requirements across Canada.

• Discussion Paper - Management Framework

NOTE: For a copy of the detailed strategic plan please contact: National HSPnet Director.

National HSPnet Strategic Priorities 2009-2012

The NHASC has articulated four strategies for 2009 to 2012:

Expand the adoption of HSPnet and associated practices for widespread benefit.
Achieve recognition on the benefits and contributions of HSPnet and the Alliance, through effective communications to a variety of audiences.
Strengthen the Alliance through effective governance and through long term commitments from Alliance members and the BCAHC (as owner of HSPnet) for continued operation, sharing, and development of HSPnet.
Ensure sustainability and value for Alliance members through effective infrastructure management and funding diversity.

Alliance Values, Vision & Mission

Shared Values

Consistent with the assessment above, session participants acknowledged shared values that underlie the formation of the Alliance:

Collaboration for mutual benefit across sectors (academic, health services delivery, government)
Agility, enthusiasm, and minimal bureaucracy in execution
Cost-effectiveness through pooling of resources and activities to achieve critical mass and economies of scale, and to reduce duplication of effort
Generosity and altruism of spirit in the establishment of the Alliance, and in the ongoing collaboration and sharing of expertise and resources
Building and maintaining trusting relationships with respect for stakeholder diversity and culture

National HSPnet Alliance Vision & Mission

HSPnet is a unique national collaboration of diverse stakeholders (health, post-secondary, government and private sectors) committed to quality practice education in support of the following vision:

National HSPnet Alliance Vision

The National HSPnet Alliance will strive to enhance the availability, quality and management of health sciences practice education across Canada

To achieve this vision, the National HSPnet Alliance will undertake the following mission and "core business" activities:

National HSPnet Alliance Mission Statement

The National HSPnet Alliance will contribute to enhanced availability, quality and management of health sciences practice education by continuously improving HSPnet tools and processes to meet the needs of multiple jurisdictions and stakeholders:

Ensuring an effective and sustainable shared infrastructure through sound governance and performance management;
Improving practice education management through the exchange of knowledge and best practices, shared policies, and collaborative development of integrated enhancements;
Contributing to effective information management and better understanding of practice education activities and outcomes.