The message was loud and clear at the May board of directors meeting for North Wellington Health Care (NWHC).
“We are only interested in investing in our hospitals – not closing them,” said vice-chairman Al Hodgson. “The board is focused on improving infrastructure and care for patients.”
Discussions at the meeting included capital infrastructure plans to improve the Louise Marshall Hospital Emergency Department. A request from the provincial government for a planning and design grant is being submitted for the added work needed, but the board felt strongly that some steps needed to start soon.
“The board agreed to support a $100,000 investment towards an emergency department plan.” stated Hodgson. “The plan will further document the need for up to date infrastructure, equipment, and technology.”
The board also supported the annual Registered Nursing Association of Ontario’s Take Your MPP to Work event. This year, Perth-Wellington MPP, John Wilkinson, participated in the event at Palmerston and District Hospital to experience first-hand what it means to practice in today’s rural health-care environment.
Wilkinson shadowed nurse Jean Anderson in the new dialysis unit and met both nurses and their patients at the hospital.
The board was also brought up to date on the new security system to be installed at Louise Marshall Hospital and Palmerston Hospital. As a result of the new security system, visiting hours to the hospital were revised from 11am to 8pm.
“Patient care and security is our primary concern at North Wellington Health Care,” stated Wellington North Health Care Chief Executive Officer Jerome Quenneville.
“The improved visiting hours will allow the care and rest periods needed by our hospitalized patients.”
Senior team members provided the board with a H1N1 (swine flu) pandemic report.
“The Wellington Health Care Alliance pandemic dan has been revised and reviewed with staff.” said Quenneville.
“Should the pandemic threat level increase our staff are prepared.” After the World Health Organization raised the pandemic threat level to five, the Wellington Health Care Alliance pandemic incident management team began meeting on a regular basis to discuss the outbreak.
Following each meeting communication from the ream is shared with alliance staff.
The public are reminded to utilize the Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health Unit website for News about H1N1 at www.wdghu.com.
