It appears that the Sydenham Current readers are looking forward to the provincially-appointed supervisor coming to take over the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance. Here are the results from our poll:
Are you happy that a supervisor is being appointed by the province for the CKHA?
Yes 88.16% (268 votes)
Undecided 8.22% (25 votes)
No 3.62% (11 votes)
Total Votes: 304
Dr. Eric Hoskins, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, notified the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) hospitals of the province’s intent to appoint a hospital supervisor for The Public General Hospital Society of Chatham, St. Joseph’s Health Services Association of Chatham and Sydenham District Hospital.
The hospital supervisor’s role would be to work with the three hospitals and government to support robust governance and administrative/clinical leadership at the facilities. These measures will help ensure sustainable and appropriate oversight of patient care and financial management so that patients continue to receive high quality care.
Ontario’s intent to appoint a supervisor is based on a report from Bonnie Adamson, the investigator who was appointed on June 8, 2016 to work with CKHA hospitals in response to concerns from Erie St. Clair Local Health Integration Network about the working relationship across management, as well as governance of the three hospitals.
Patients will continue to receive quality health care at the three hospitals and all hospital operations will continue to function and provide care to patients.
“The appointment of a hospital Supervisor at The Public General Hospital Society of Chatham, St. Joseph’s Health Services Association of Chatham and Sydenham District Hospital is in the best interests of the region and will help strengthen the hospitals’ governance, management and accountability,” Hoskins said in a press release.
“We want to ensure that patients continue to receive high quality care so that the public can continue to have confidence in their local hospitals.”
More details released by the Ministry:
– This is the 21st supervisor to be appointed in Ontario, since 1981.
– A supervisor is appointed under the Public Hospitals Act, and has the authority to exercise all the powers of the hospital board.
– The Chatham-Kent Health Alliance is a trilateral agreement established in 1998 between: The Public General Hospital Society of Chatham, St. Joseph’s Health Services Association of Chatham and Sydenham District Hospital.
– The Alliance’s core services across the three sites – located in Chatham and Wallaceburg – include complex continuing care, rehabilitation, diagnostic imaging, emergency services, surgery and ambulatory care, and mental health and addictions.
– Bonnie Adamson, former President and CEO for London Health Sciences Centre, North York General and the Huron Perth Hospitals Partnership, was appointed Investigator to work with the three CKHA hospital Boards.
Several people and groups, including the Sydenham District Hospital board, MPP Monte McNaughton and the Wallaceburg/Walpole Island Health Coalition, are looking forward to the supervisor taking over.
Colin Patey, the President and CEO of the CKHA, stated he believes the appointment of a supervisor is “necessary and will help bring stability“ to their governance situation, but noted that Adamson’s report “did contain inaccurate information and statements which on their own misrepresents the character of our organization.”
The announcement for a supervisor is expected to take place at anytime.
Watch for more on this story.
