Renal unit recognised for their dedication to patient care Coming through a year of dramatic change and books at the break-even point, North Bay General Hospital officials had plenty of reason to celebrate during the 2005-2006 Annual General Meeting
Renal unit recognised for their dedication to patient care
Coming through a year of dramatic change and books at the break-even point, North Bay General Hospital officials had plenty of reason to celebrate during the 2005-2006 Annual General Meeting Thursday at Canadore College.
“Lots of dramatic change, talked about the fiscal challenges probably being first and foremost in our minds at the beginning of the year actually in the previous year it started,” says President Mark Hurst.
He reflected on the year and changes that the board and staff struggled with while maintaining excellence in patient care.
“Lots of benchmarking, peer review, accountability agreements, new requirements around performance indicators and having to operate with in those indicators. A lot of emphasis on best practice, a lot of emphasis on new technology, innovative approaches to patient care lot of new programs, excellence in service. So, I'd say, a roller coaster ride, I guess is the way I would describe it. But the encouraging thing, you've heard from all the reports is we've finished the year in an extremely strong financially position.”
Hurst says the financial standing is an important indicator, because the hospital has to sign accountability agreements every year for every dollar they receive.
“You need to have credibility when you go to negotiate with the Ministry it’s so very important to be able to show that type of experience. So, very exciting year, a very challenging year, we look forward to the new one will be into the new strategic plan and implementing those initiatives.”
Board Treasurer Murray Green supported the hospital’s financial standing during his report, pointing out that the hospital had moved from the 10-million dollar deficit of two years ago to 4.3 for the previous year, and moved to a 760-thousand dollar deficit for this year. Green told the room that in accounting terms they call that a ‘break-even year’.
Outgoing Board Chair Barry Bertrand says he leaving the helm of the ship is bittersweet, but He is thrilled that the hospital is in good shape and moving forward on a positive path.
“I'm sad in the sense that it's been a wonderful four years, and there's been a lot of great changes at the organisation of the hospital. We've come a long way both in patient care and a financial responsibility and I'm very proud what is accomplished by the hospital board, so it is sad, one-way in time, I know moving on the board is in great shape.”
“It is a good situation financially that we are leaving it in a balanced position. We also have to think that we've done that without adversely affecting patient care and that's the caveat to the whole thing, because it would be one thing to slash and do all the necessary cuts. But if we affected patient care, adversely, then what's the point, but I think we've been unable to do both and moving forward and it is going to be great from the new hospital," says Bertrand.
Bertrand also said he leaves the position having no doubts where the new hospital is concerned, and he says having worked for the last four years, day in day out he knows it will happen.
“Having spoken to a lot of people in the know right up at the Ministry level that we’re moving forward. This is a go, and I couldn't be more happy with the situation. We are getting our hospital and is not a matter of if, any more it a matter of when the shovels will go in the ground and we know that it has to be in before 11 other hospitals that are behind us. So we’re the first in line and am very proud of that.”
Mark Hurst said Bertrand as the board chair, set a tone for the board, one of commitment.
“He worked hand in glove with the senior administrative team and obviously very closely with me. So we need to have intimate trust in the individual and a lot of reliance on his support and understanding.”
“So I would say it goes without saying, as I said earlier, his leadership and strength, commitment, dedication to working us through the fiscal challenge, but not losing track of the patient care or reality. It's not that we just said okay. We'll just reduce costs, we need to reduce costs, appropriately and find the most effective way to do it at the patient care isn't adversely affected. I think Barry show considerable leadership at the board level in guiding us in the right direction.”
Alain Perron, local lawyer and former NBGH vice chair will take over the position of Board Chair.
