After receiving the report from the investigator tasked with analyzing the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance, the Minister of Health says the delivery of healthcare services in the community are “now in jeopardy.”
The Sydenham Current received a copy of a letter written by Dr. Eric Hoskins, the Minister of Health and Long Term Care, which was addressed to all three CKHA board chairs.
In the letter, Hoskins announces his intention to appoint a supervisor for the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance to “restore robust governance and administrative/clinical leadership” at the CKHA.
“On June 8, 2016, Bonnie Adamson was appointed as an investigator under section 8 of the Public Hospitals Act,” Hoskins wrote.
“Ms. Adamson was charged with reporting on issues related to the governance and management of The Public General Hospital Society of Chatham (PGH), St. Joseph’s Health Services Association of Chatham (SJH), and Sydenham District Hospital (SDH), known collectively as the ‘Chatham-Kent Health Alliance’, including the identification of a governance model or models for hospital services in both the City of Chatham and the County of Kent and the evaluation of emergency department services.”
Hoskins said Adamson submitted her report on August 8 and he accepted all of her recommendations.
“The report identifies significant concerns regarding the governance and management of PGH, SJH, and SDH,” he wrote.
“Based on these findings, in my view, the appointment of a hospital supervisor by the Lieutenant Governor in Council under subsection 9(1) of the Public Hospitals Act is in the public interest.”
Hoskins says in the letter he is giving CKHA notice of his intention to recommend to the Lieutenant Governor in Council that a hospital supervisor be appointed at PGH, SJH. and SDH.
Hoskins said this would occurr after two weeks from the time the letter was sent, which was on August 10.
“This government places a high value on and is a strong supporter of volunteer, local public hospital governance,” he wrote.
“However, in my view. the delivery of hospital services are now in jeopardy and I believe it is in the best interest of the patients and the people who depend on your hospitals to act now before the situation further deteriorates.”
Hoskins added: “The ministry understands and continues to support the important work of PGH, SJH and SDH. If a supervisor is named, we will work together to ensure that this process is completed in a timely and efficient manner.”
Hoskins’ letters is listed as an agenda item for the Sydenham District Hospital board, who are set to meet at Wallaceburg’s hospital on Wednesday evening.
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Not much else they could do, given the two sides are not talking