PEMBROKE REGIONAL HOSPITAL

President & CEO Report - March 2007

 

Catholic Healthcare Corporation of Ontario (CHCO) Planning Session

 

The CEOs from CHCO sponsored organizations were asked to participate in a one day planning session in Toronto on Thursday, February 15th.  The purpose of the session was:

 

1. To explore, develop and articulate a formal position on the relationship between the CHCO and the LHINs at the provincial level and at the local level.

 

2. To identify how the CHCO institutions may wish to work together in their approaches to their LHINs

 

3. To recommend to CHAO any suggestions on how their Provincial lobbying efforts may best be used for Catholic healthcare in Ontario

 

All in all, it was an interesting day with good information sharing among the members.  Proceedings from the day will be distributed to the Board once they have been received from CHCO.

 

Physician Task Force on ED and Hospital Pressures

 

The newly established "Physician Task Force on Emergency Department and Hospital Pressures" met at the Marguerite Centre on February 20th in a three hour facilitated workshop.  Dr. Ferri and Sandra Keon are providing key leadership support to this exercise and significant momentum has been developed in addressing those issues that are within the Hospital's ability to control.

 

Perinatal Partnership Program of Eastern and Southeastern Ontario (PPPESO)

 

I have recently been appointed to the Board of the Perinatal Partnership Program of Eastern and Southeastern Ontario, a body that links perinatal health care, education and research in our area of the province.  Being linked to such an initiative is seen to be important at this time, particularly given our initiative to grow our obstetrics program.

 

Space in Tower C - "Lorraine Wing"

 

Our Community Mental Health Program has been provided with the opportunity to consolidate the balance of their Pembroke-based staff in a single location at the Civic building (i.e. space owned by "Carefore", formerly known as VON).  These staff members are currently located on the top floor of Tower C and their move will represent a significant opportunity to capitalize on this space in a new way.  A space planning exercise has just been initiated for Tower C to look at how best to co-locate our specialists, address other space pressures, and examine if there is space available to address the area's primary care recruitment challenges.  Early indications are that this "win" for our Community Mental Health Program might also be a "win" on other fronts as well.

  

Physician Assistants Demonstration Project

 

The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care through the Ontario Hospital Association has announced a call for applicants for demonstration sites for the introduction of "physician assistants" into inpatient settings in Ontario hospitals (a brief overview is attached).  Our Senior Leadership Team participated in a videoconference on February 20th to obtain additional details and we have submitted a preliminary expression of interest by the February 27th deadline.

 

Commendation for Dr. Scott Graham

 

On February 21st, our Chief of Surgery, Dr. Scott Graham, received a Base Commander's Commendation for his exceptional support to the military community at CFB Petawawa.  I know that Scott, and all of his colleagues at the Hospital, recognize the important role that our local soldiers are playing on the world stage and there is ample evidence to suggest that Scott is joined by many in going "above and beyond" to care for these brave men and women.  Congratulations to Scott on this well deserved recognition!