The Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, has appointed Bonnie Adamson as an Investigator to work with the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA).
Bonnie Adamson, former President and CEO for London Health Sciences Centre, North York General, the Huron Perth Hospitals Partnership, has accepted the appointment and will be working with the three CKHA hospital Boards.
“We are confident that the hospital Boards will be assisted by the work of Ms. Adamson and that they will work towards mutually agreeable solutions. Ensuring quality patient care is our first priority; we have full belief that the CKHA boards will work with the Investigator to begin to rebuild public confidence,” stated Ralph Ganter, Acting Chief Executive Officer, Erie St. Clair LHIN.
The recommendation for the Investigator was initiated by the Erie St. Clair LHIN in order to ensure public confidence in the governance model for hospital services in Chatham-Kent.
Bonnie Adamson will investigate, evaluate and make recommendations to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care on the proposed changes in governance and services at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance.
More details from 1 p.m. press conference:
– The Minister of Health, Dr. Eric Hoskins, has appointed an Investigator to Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA)
– Letters were transmitted to each of the board chairs of the alliance approximately 75 minutes ago notifying them of the appointment
– At this time, the ESC LHIN and MOHLTC do not support the request to dissolve the current governance relationship of the Alliance
– All possible avenues for reconciliation need to be explored; in the best interest of patients and the community
– The recommendation for the Investigator was provided by the Erie St. Clair LHIN to the Minister of Health and= Long-Term Care, in regards to community concerns around the future of health care at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance’s sites
– In order to obtain an objective and independent third party review, an Investigator was proposed as the most appropriate recommendation at this time
– Following the recommendation from the Erie St. Clair LHIN to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, an Investigator has been appointed to work with the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance
– This action will ensure sound management and governance at the Hospitals, and ensure there’s no impact on patient care quality for the community
– Appointing an Investigator will ultimately strengthen the Hospitals’ governance, accountability, and ability to deliver the best possible care to their patients
– According to the Terms of Reference provided, “The Investigator” will examine and report on issues related to the governance and management of 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” (CKHA)].”
– The Investigator does not assume the authority of the current Hospital Boards or senior management of the Hospitals
– As noted in the Terms of Reference, the Investigator will: Identify new strategies and/or next steps to respond to issues identified in the investigation including a governance model or models for hospital services in Chatham-Kent
– And investigate, evaluate and make recommendations on the quality of service, the service protocols and the capabilities of the PGH and SDH Emergency Departments and the support relationship required of the SDH Emergency Department with the PGH Emergency Department
Next steps:
– Timelines with key milestones to be developed by the Investigator
– The Minister will receive advice from the Investigator
– Appropriate action will be determined following the review
– Information, if available, will be found at: www.eriestclairlhin.on.ca
More information:
– Here is a copy of the Terms of Reference for this investigation
– Here is a copy of the media briefing notes from the press conference held on Friday
– Here is a link to the full biography of Adamson
– Watch for more on this story
