The Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) announced a new direction in governance that officials say will better meet the current and future needs of the organization, the patients it serves and the community at large.
Following the annual report to the community, Public General Hospital Society of Chatham and St. Joseph’s Health Services Association publicly announced their voluntary integration to become a single entity.
“We need a governance model that will reflect best practice and is nimble and flexible enough to respond to the needs of today’s healthcare system,” said Brenda Richardson, Chair, Alliance Board of Directors. “We believe we are on the right path to make that happen. Two Boards of Directors, Public General Hospital and St. Joseph’s Hospital, have proceeded to action by approving a voluntary integration to create a single board structure.”
In 1998, Public General Hospital (PGH) and St. Joseph’s Hospital (SJH), along with Sydenham District Hospital (SDH) a few years later, joined together to form the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance.
These three corporations each have a separate board of directors, which together created CKHA’s Tri-Board of Directors. The board structure has not changed since the signing of the Alliance Agreement over 17 years ago, while during the same timeframe the organization’s operations became one entity.
Two years ago, all three boards identified the need to address the misalignment between governance and operations and to re-establish itself as a leading board in Ontario, reflective of best practices. After an extensive and comprehensive governance review, the Executive Committee, made up of the Chairs and Vice Chairs of all three boards, worked on revisions that address the board’s role and function, size, committee structure and by-law changes.
“We fundamentally believe that CKHA’s governance must match, if not exceed, the organization’s operational excellence,” said Gail Rumble, Chair, SJH Board of Directors. “We are committed to supporting our entire community, particularly our patients, with a sustainable and thriving healthcare system in Chatham-Kent.”
An effective governance structure will reflect best practices, add value, promote innovation and optimize efficiency and effectiveness to better serve the community and its needs. CKHA is an organization that is prepared to respond to the changing healthcare landscape in alignment with the best interests of the citizens of Chatham-Kent. The organization will continue to focus on patient and family centred care, safety, fiscal accountability and exceptional service.
The Sydenham District Hospital Board of Directors remains in place.
They are currently reviewing by-law and procedure changes required to support further integration.
