CEO report
Manitoulin Health Centre (MHC) CEO Derek Graham began his May report to the board by announcing a significant donation which will be made to the Sweet Slumbers bed campaign on Wednesday, June 3.
“The ministry will move forward with a pilot project implementation of self-directed funding for some home care services in selected settings across the province,” continued Mr. Graham. “The mechanism involved and the location of the pilots have not yet been announced.”
Mr. Graham also noted that a provincial capacity plan for home care had been announced as a major improvement initiative.
“The construction of the Family Health Team addition at the Mindemoya site is entering the final phase,” continued Mr. Graham. “This capacity will be a welcome addition at the new site. Planning towards the Little Current site emergency department redevelopment renovation is progressing well, with positive engagement with staff and physicians taking place concerning the layout under consideration.”
“We have been really pleased with the efforts of our physician recruiter and we will be welcoming two new doctors, one for the Little Current site and one for the Mindemoya site,” said Mr. Graham.
“The Island’s health settings will host a two-year NOSM (Northern Ontario School of Medicine) family practice resident, the first for our region,” added Mr. Graham. “MHC looks forward to welcoming Mary Ellen Gedye, who is slated to begin her Manitoulin experience on July 1.”
Mr. Graham also noted that the Deputy Minister of Health and Long Term Care Doctor (MOHLTC), Bob Bell, will be visiting Manitoulin the first week of June to meet with Island healthcare leaders and visit health sites.
Chief Nursing Officer Report
MHC Chief Nursing Officer and Vice President of Clinical Services Pat Morka presented her report to the board following Mr. Graham.
“The lab along with the nursing department received a very positive report from Newborn Screening Ontario, with a result of 100 percent compliance for the timely submission of newborn screening samples inclusive of sample preparation and transport time,” Mr. Morka’s report began. “The Senior Friendly Cohort Team attended the three day workshop in Toronto in April. The team found the experience very worthwhile and are planning their projects which include assessment of malnutrition and dehydration in patients over the age of 75, as well as functional mobility. They return in January 2016 to report on their success to the MOHLTC Senior Friendly project leads from the MOHLTC.”
“Another first for MHC is the Electronic E-Referral to First Nation Homecare Services, which will go live on June 15,” said Mr. Morka. “The E-Referral will enable MHC staff and physicians to refer our First Nation patients for home care services more quickly and efficiently to Mnaamodzoin Health Services, M’Chigeeng Health Services and Wikwemikong Health Services.”
Ms. Morka explained that two registered nurses (RN) from MHC will be attending a wound care conference sponsored by MHC’s provider of wound and skin dressings. She noted that each RN attending has a “keen interest in wound and skin care and would like to contribute further to our patients in the near future with knowledge gained.”
CFO report
Chief Financial Officer and Vice-President of Corporate Support Services Lynn Foster gave an update to the board about the Manitoulin Central FHT construction.
“Central Manitoulin’s building inspector has issued the occupancy certificate,” she began. “A few reports and certificates are outstanding from various manuals required under the construction contact in order to achieve substantial completion. Substantial completion is important as it allows the FHT to move forward with its plan to assume the new space. The construction of the north parking lot will start shortly. MHC has paid eight progress billings to date which represents approximately 87 percent of the value of the contract. There have been three chances orders with a financial impact totaling approximately $5,000 and 90 percent of the architect’s contract has been paid out.”
“The Corporate Support Services (CSS) team through the Manager of Environmental Services has been supporting the clinical team on the redesign project,” continued Ms. Foster’s report. “Liaising with the architects, Yallowega Belanger, a final sketch has been reviewed and accepted. The next step includes a quote for engineering and construction.”
Ms. Foster also noted an MHC pilot initiative, in acknowledgment of Manitoulin’s aboriginal population, offering two First Nation traditional menu items, hominy corn soup with scone, made on-site at each hospital. “Response to this new offering is being recorded and results will be reviewed after three months,” said Ms. Foster.
During her financial update, Ms. Foster reported that MHC ended its 2014-2015 year end with a $101,000 surplus from hospital operations and an overall $393,000 surplus including other revenues and expenses.
“MHC’s investment portfolio has been managed by Beutel Goodman since January 2006,” said Ms. Foster. “MHC’s assets under management at book value equals $4,800,477 with a fair market value of $5,796,456. The asset mix is currently 46 percent fixed income and 54 percent equity, which is consistent with the board established investment policy of 50/50 (target rand of 45/55).”
Chief of Staff report
MHC Chief of Staff Dr. Stephen Cooper added to Mr. Graham’s announcement that both physician positions had been filled between the two MHC sites.
“The vacancies had been an issue for a long time,” said Dr. Cooper. “The physician recruiter played a huge role in filling these positions. Little Current actually had two great candidates.”
“There has been some problems getting coverage for some specialists in the Northeast, particularly plastic surgery,” Dr. Cooper’s report continued. “There are some work-arounds but they are not as satisfactory as the previous one number access. Health Sciences North continues to have capacity issues which affects the entire region. Ambulance service is also considering delaying transfer, if possible, during the changing of shifts to reduce staff fatigue and cost.”
Dr. Cooper said he was disappointed that the Northeast Physician Leadership Conference had to be delayed, but was confident that it will be held in the fall.
Auxiliary notes
Little Current Hospital Auxiliary Chair Dave Sylvester recognized the passing of longtime auxiliary member and past MHC board member Wayne Orr.
“He was a very active member and an avid raffle ticket seller,” said Mr. Sylvester. “He, Dawn (Orr) and the family are in our thoughts.”
Mr. Graham added that a letter of condolences would be sent to the family on behalf of the board.
Mr. Sylvester also noted that the auxiliary would be celebrating its 70th anniversary on Thursday, June 4 with a dinner and special announcements.
Mindemoya Hospital Auxiliary Chair Mary Alice Lewis announced that the auxiliary had presented its third $10,000 cheque towards the Sweet Slumber bed campaign for a bed at the Mindemoya site and that they would be making a fourth donation to go towards a bed at the Little Current site.
She also gave her regrets that she would be resigning as chair of the auxiliary and that Judy McKenzie would be taking over.
Board losing six members
Mr. Graham stressed that if any of the board members who were planning on not returning to the board next year were able to stay for another year it would be greatly appreciated.
“Quite a few board members, six, won’t be returning,” said Mr. Graham. “This is a big turnover for the board. If anyone could be persuaded to stay, it would be very much appreciated. We will be losing a large amount of continuity.”
“Please help shake the bushes for new members,” added board member Charles Adam.
Board supports expanded nursing program in the North
MHC board member Debby Turner proposed the board make a motion for Laurentian University to establish a nursing campus on Manitoulin Island.
She explained that it would be in line with the recommendations made in last month’s Registered Nurses of Ontario report on rural nursing.
The board discussed how Laurentian had lost its bid to expand its Barrie campus to York University and its new Markham campus.
After a great deal of discussion, Ms. Turner rescinded her motion, in favour instead of a letter of support from the board to Laurentian University. The board requested that Mr. Graham and board chair Suzanne Norris draft a letter to the university expressing the board’s disappointment in the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities’ decision regarding the Barrie campus expansion and its support of another Northern location or expansion.
