Guelph General, Grand River, and St. Mary’s Hospitals have been named to provide vascular services for residents of Waterloo and Wellington, Local Health Integration Network (WWLHIN) board chairman, Kathy Durst announced last week.
Experts in the field said vascular centres of excellence provide better services for patients, reducing length of time spent in the hospital and retaining vascular surgeons in the community. As the lead hospital for the program, Guelph General will provide all general elective vascular services. St. Mary’s will specialize in cardiovascular and thoracic services, and Grand River will provide vascular access services for dialysis patients. Emergency vascular services will continue to be provided at all three hospitals.
“This is a positive, forward-looking program for residents in Waterloo Wellington. Individuals in need of vascular services, and their referring physicians, will have a clear direction of where to receive specific services,” said Sandra Hanmer, chief executive officer of the WWLHIN.
As part of the decision to integrate vascular services, a services steering committee is being created with the requirement that area hospitals (Guelph General, Grand River, St. Mary’s, Cambridge Memorial, Groves Community Memorial, North Wellington Health Care and St. Joseph’s) have representation on the committee.
The steering committing will be responsible for planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating the evolution and growth of the region’s vascular services program.
The integration decision for vascular services can be read on the WWLHIN website at www.wwlhin.on.ca or request a copy by contacting the WWLHIN office 519 822 6208 extension 212 or email kate.borthwick@lhins.on.ca.
