Local News

By CATHY PELLETIER, THE CHRONICLE

Posted 3 hours ago

DUNNVILLE -Patients, doctors, nurses, hospital board members, volunteers and employees met at the Dunnville Legion Monday night to discuss the state and direction of Haldimand’s health care.

“This is a great day,” said Dunnville Hospital CEO David Montgomery. “It’s an over-whelming feeling to see so many people here who care about their health care, and a testament to the community.”

Introducing the guest speaker, Donna Cripps, who was recently appointed CEO of LHIN (Local Health Integration Networks), he credited her with being “instrumental in improving the health system.”

Cripps gave an overview of LHINs, which were established in 2005.

“The 14 LHINs do not provide health care services and it’s different than what we’re accustomed to,” she explained. “The Ministry gave us added responsibilities for making sure communities are engaged and active in their local health agency. David and his board are showing incredible leadership in doing that here in Dunnville.”

Listing the 202 health care providers and 232 programs LHIN encompasses, Cripps said, “All parties are expected to communicate and work collaboratively to keep people healthy.”

Since personal lifestyle choices have tremendous capacity to improve health, LHINs aim to prevent chronic disease caused by physical inactivity and substance abuse through increased education, screening, and programs, such as foot care clinics for diabetics.

Substance abuse and other mental issues are a major local concern, noted Cripps.

“Forty-two thousand people in our LHIN depend on alcohol and illicit drugs, and people living with mental illness expressed a need for affordable housing, busing and programs that erase the stigma of mental illness, and making access easier. Our plan is to expand the program and screening tools in primary care practice and expand housing for people living with addictions.”

Dunnville has also been targeted to receive specialized geriatric assistance programs, partnering with the mental health program, she said.

“Patient flow is a priority. In our LHIN today, many of our emergency rooms are backed up and lineups are long. Nearly half of the visits have non-urgent needs and they would be better served somewhere else. People want shorter wait times for everything,” Cripps added, from diagnostic testing to surgery.

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“We still have a lot of work to do but have made some progress in patient flow.”

The provincial Aging At Home strategy is designed to keep seniors at home as long as possible, and $29 million has been invested in area senior programs.

“Two hundred and twenty thousand people in our LHIN are age 65 and older,” said Cripps, with that number expected to rise by 30 per cent in 10 years.

“The demand for hospital care is projected to grow by 32 per cent over 15 years.”

LHIN has already begun linking doctors, nurses, dietitians, social workers and pharmacists electronically so the “virtual team” can provide more effective patient care, and patients “only have to tell their health history once.”

“Transportation is an issue within our LHIN and a key to good health care. Cardiac and maternity care and rehabilitation all need to be connected, and all residents require equal access to service. The plan we have developed aims to allow people improved self-management and decision-making. We’re all in this together,” she concluded, “because we all want the same outcome.”

Montgomery then provided a more local overview of health services in Haldimand.

“We’re one of the few hospitals in Ontario that does outpatient care,” he stated.

Occupancy at Edgewater Gardens is currently at 99.7 per cent, with a wait list of 58.

The number of emergency visits has steadily increased, from 16,000 visits 10 years ago to nearly 24,000 last year.

“We’re very fortunate in Dunnville to have several surgical specialists and a dedicated team of nurses, and next year will offer a smoking cessation clinic, COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), and dermatology.”

Since February, hospital staff and officials have held about 20 meetings to discuss their vision, mission and values.

The CEO asked for input into the current mission statement, which says: “Our excellence in health care delivery and service will be guided by the involvement of patients, residents and their families in decisions about their care and a search for continuously improved care, using evidence-based best practices.

“We must maintain a fiscal responsibility if we’re here for future generations and we wish to be an employer of choice. We want to know, is there something important we’re missing? Does this resonate with you?”

Seeing nods from the audience, he pCompassion, respect, honesty and teamwork were rated the four most important values by hospital employees and board members, who collectively created the motto: “Embracing the health and hearts of our community.”

Montgomery then asked the audience for suggested enhancements to local health care.

“I acknowledge that funding is limited, but I’d rather know what your wishes are,” he said, as Chief Financial Officer Neil MacLean listed them on an easel.

Education to prevent emergency room abuse, providing diagnostics like MRIs, as well as cardiac, post-cardiac treatment, and orthopedic surgery closer to home, were suggested, along with the possibility of bringing obstetrics back to Dunnville.

Others listed additional respite care and assisted living, psychiatric services for all ages, and education about bullying and similar youth concerns.

Finally, Montgomery asked for input concerning the Patient’s Declaration of Values.

“Many years ago, the hospital had a Patient’s Bill or Rights, which is now outdated and the province is asking hospitals to consult with the community to come up with one or update existing ones,” he said.

“Being treated with dignity” and “confidentiality” came from the audience, and providing pastoral care, as well as access to information about non-routine support services.

“I would like to know that I’m being told the truth and that I’m involved in my health care,” said Judy Wenjina, a nurse at the hospital.

“It’s very important that if there’s something bothering you to ask questions.”

Further information is avail-a ble by calling the Grimsby LHIN office at 905-945-4930.