Bill’s International Pizza Morning Coffee Slice – By Aaron Hall
The Sydenham Campus of the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance is set to receive a funding boost from the province, as will Chatham-Kent’s two other campuses.
Reports say the CKHA will receive a $471,000 boost, with $107,000 earmarked for the Wallaceburg site.
Dr. Eric Hoskins, Minister of Health and Long Term Care, announced recently the new investment ensures that all public hospitals in Ontario have received, at a minimum, a two per cent increase to their base funding this year.
Additional funding has been provided to hospitals to support population growth and changing health care needs in their communities.
“In recent years, hospitals have become more efficient while improving patient care, even as they face increased demand for services,” Hoskins said in a press release.
“Through this additional investment, our government is committed to ensuring hospitals maintain a high level of care to address the increased health care needs of a growing and aging population.”
Provincial officials say the funding will help hospitals maintain and improve access to key services such as obstetrics, elective surgeries and diagnostic imaging, and will help reduce the length of hospital stays for patients.
Improving access to hospital services is part of the government’s plan to build a better Ontario through its Patients First: Action Plan for Health Care, which provides patients with faster access to the right care; better home and community care; the information they need to live healthy; and a health care system that is sustainable for generations to come.
Ken Deane, the interim CEO with the hospital, said the CKHA is looking at a “ball park” $2 million deficit this year.
“There is no question and it will come as no surprise that we have a deficit and deficits in and of themselves create significant challenges for hospitals,” Deane said, during a special meeting last month with the media.
Deane added: “We need an on-going program to replenish equipment. There are only two sources of money for that. One is through the Foundation (of the CKHA) and the other is by generating a surplus each year. When you are running a deficit, obviously you don’t have money to buy equipment. We need to make sure that we have on-going mechanisms to identify, prioritize and re-invest in our organization as it relates to ensuring that we have equipment in place.”
Deane said the final deficit number may swing a bit between now and year-end, but it is a marker they’re projecting.
If you have a suggestion, story idea, column idea, or if you want to say hello… drop me an e-mail at aaron@sydenhamcurrent.ca.
Photo of the day
The United Way of Chatham-Kent is pleased to announce that the CKHA is supporting this year’s local United Way Fundraising Campaign through a Holiday Season fundraising initiative. The CKHA Staff and Physicians fundraising campaign launched on Monday, December 19 and will run through Friday, January 13th.
“I believe that the United Way is an integral part of what makes a community strong and healthy”, stated Deane.
“The agencies supported by United Way are like CKHA – agencies committed to the well-being of others. In fact, CKHA works with United Way agencies and United Way helps our families, friends, co-workers and patients.”
“We’re delighted by the opportunity to connect with the CKHA Staff and Physicians through their holiday season fundraising campaign”, stated United Way of Chatham-Kent CEO, Karen Kirkwood-Whyte.
“And wish to extend our sincere thanks and optimism to our partners in the health care community as you launch your campaign in support of the 34 local programs and services funded by your United Way donations.”
Tom Slager, United Way of C-K Director, Resource Development added: “We’re thrilled that CKHA has decided to be part of our 2016 Campaign. Our two organizations work hard within Chatham-Kent to provide people with the help they need when they need it. Please accept our sincere thanks, as your contributions will go a long way toward helping a lot of people right here in Chatham-Kent.”
Weather forecast for Wednesday, December 21, 2016
Today – Increasing cloudiness. 60 percent chance of flurries late this afternoon. Wind southwest 20 km/h gusting to 40. High minus 1.
Tonight – Mainly cloudy. 60 percent chance of flurries this evening. Wind southwest 20 km/h gusting to 40 becoming light overnight. Temperature steady near minus 1.
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