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Board Meeting Highlights

Board Highlights
February 26, 2008

At last night’s meeting of the Tri-Board of St. Joseph’s, Public General and Sydenham District Hospitals, Directors:

• Heard a report from its Mission & Quality Committee noting:  Accomplishments of the Great People Great Place Committee (Canada’s top 100 employer application; Tri-Board Awards for Excellence; Employee Council; healthy lifestyle initiatives; and tuition assistance program)
  • Excellence in elder care
  • Excellence in stroke care
  • Excellence in end of life care and palliative care
• Heard that planning continues towards the start of MRI service in Chatham-Kent in June. Fundraising efforts, led by the Foundation of CKHA, are ongoing.
• Reviewed financial statements from its Finance, Audit & Resources Committee for February 2008, noting a year-end surplus from operations of $776,000 – improved from the previous month’s forecast. Clinical activity statistics are nearer to expected volumes.
• Approved a capital budget for 2008-09 of $12,167,260 for prioritized expenditures including patient care equipment, building improvements, and information systems.
• Congratulated Administration, physicians and staff on eliminating long-term debt and dramatically improving working capital over the past the 3 years.
• Were briefed on the Ontario Hospital Association’s submission to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs. OHA noted five themes shaping the landscape for hospitals -- efficiency; access to care; e-Health; safety; and ongoing system transformation. These themes play a role in shaping Government’s policy and funding vis-à-vis healthcare and the emerging role of the LHINs to plan and provide funding for resultant priorities. By March 31, 2008 all Ontario hospitals are required to submit Accountability Agreements with balanced budgets.  
• Endorsed logistics for the upcoming strategic planning retreat including plans for community and staff focus groups, public survey, keynote speaker and presentations to invited stakeholders by program and medical directors. The retreat takes place in May. 
• Reviewed the monthly financial statements, which continue to project a slight year-end surplus as planned. 
• Noted that construction of the Central Ambulance Communications Centre at Sydenham Campus has progressed from footings to framing. Occupancy is scheduled for Spring 2008. 
• Noted that 66 Emma has been demolished to make way for an on-site equipment and records storage facility.  
• Heard that Health + Wellbeing magazine, published by CKHA and the Foundation of CKHA has been downloaded over 700 times from the corporate website since Fall; while the Caring People, Caring for People video has been viewed over 250 times. Both are designed to increase awareness of local healthcare services and support recruitment and fundraising efforts. CKHA’s website receives about a million hits per year. 
• Were invited to attend the official opening of Elston Pharmacy, located at CKHA’s Grand Ave. campus. Elston Pharmacy offers full prescription service, retail sale of non-prescription medications, patient instruction of glucose testing and blood pressure monitoring equipment and medication reviews.  
• Were invited to attend the official opening of Elston Pharmacy, located at CKHA’s Grand Ave. campus. Elston Pharmacy offers full prescription service, retail sale of non-prescription medications, patient instruction of glucose testing and blood pressure monitoring equipment and medication reviews. 
• Noted upcoming fundraising events including Parade of Chefs, Hip Hip Hooray, Elvis Tribute, and Day of Bridge.

The next Tri-Board meeting is March 25, 2008 beginning at 6:30 pm in CKHA’s Education Centre. Kindly RSVP attendance to 519-437-6001.

‘Board Highlights’ is published by the Communications & Community Relations Department for the information of staff, media and community and is posted on the Alliance’s website, www.ckha.on.ca