CKHA supervisor completes his task

Rob Devitt (Bruce Corcoran)

The supervisor appointed to guide a restructuring of operations and governance at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) has completed his work.

Erie St. Clair Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) officials say the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario rescinded the Order in Council of Rob Devitt’s appointment and his final day was March 31, 2018, after 18 months at CKHA.

In 2016, the LHIN recommended to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care that an Investigator be hired to ensure public confidence in the governing model for hospital services in Chatham-Kent.

Devitt was appointed Supervisor to address the recommendations resulting from the Investigator’s report.

“The Chatham-Kent Health Alliance is a key pillar of health care for more than 100,000 local residents,” stated Martin Girash, chair of the LHIN Board of Directors, in a press release.

“It was important to ensure the governance and operating models are structured in a way that inspire public confidence and fosters patient-centred care for all residents of Chatham-Kent. There is no question Mr. Devitt is leaving the CKHA in a position to thrive and ensure that high quality care is provided to patients and families throughout Chatham-Kent. On behalf of the ESC LHIN Board of Directors, I thank him for his service over the last 18 months.”

LHIN officials say during his time at CKHA, Devitt focused on rebuilding an internal culture through improved staff engagement and the introduction of whistleblower and nepotism policies; restructuring management to bring leadership numbers in-line with other hospitals of similar size; improving the organization’s financial standing and reducing its borrowing debt; and introducing a single board of directors (down from three).

Hospital governance is now the responsibility of the new 17-member Board of Directors and operations the responsibility of President & CEO Lori Marshall.

“Rob Devitt’s work has allowed CKHA to move forward with a single board of directors,” stated Greg Aarssen, board chair, Chatham-Kent Health Alliance, in a media release.

“The last 18 months have been challenging for Mr. Devitt, staff, physicians, and volunteers at CKHA. We thank Mr. Devitt for his time and guidance at CKHA. We look forward to the future and working with our new governance structure and continuing to provide outstanding patient care.”

The Chatham-Kent Health Alliance has sites in Chatham and Wallaceburg with more than 200 beds, more than 1,300 staff, nearly 200 physicians, and more than 300 volunteers.

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