Report from Susan Fraser Chair, Board of Directors April, 2014

As Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) celebrated its 10th anniversary, we were fortunate to be joined by the Honourable Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. She shared welcome news that will help to alleviate overcapacity pressures at TBRHSC.

You are likely aware that Minister Matthews announced $14 million in funding. The funds will be distributed to increase capacity where it is needed most – in the community. It will support immediate, short-term strategies to enable TBRHSC to discharge Alternate Level of Care (ALC) patients to more suitable locations where they will receive the most appropriate level of care.

For example, approximately $4 million allows the North West Community Care Access Centre to continue to provide intensive care at home for people waiting for placement to a Long-Term Care home. Approximately $4.5 million supports St. Joseph’s Care Group providing additional and enhanced services, including operating 26 temporary more beds and providing services with partners HAGI and BISNO, to 13 more supportive housing units in this fiscal year. These initiatives will increase or sustain options for care in the community, so that fewer people have to remain at TBRHSC waiting for alternate levels of care. We are grateful to Minister Matthews for supporting us and our partners in care.

TBRHSC is fortunate to have a variety of partners supporting our mission. Together, we advance world-class patient and family centred care. The following are a few of many recent examples.

The dedicated group of orthopedic surgeons practicing at TBRHSC is donating $2-million over 10 years to fund a local orthopedic research program. I applaud them for investing, through our Health Sciences Foundation, in research that leads to innovation and advancement in patient care.

Ontario Regional Chief Stan Beardy recently helped to launch a cancer screening awareness video titled ‘Early Detection: The Path to a Good Life’ that features his cancer story. The video, which promotes cancer screening with a focus on First Nations people, educates viewers about three provincial, organized screening tests for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer. The video can be viewed at www.tbrhsc.net/GoodLife

Over 500 people volunteer their time to support patient care at TBRHSC, and we were pleased to celebrate them during Volunteer Week earlier this month. I extend my heartfelt appreciation to these compassionate and dedicated volunteers who take time out of their busy lives to help our patients, families, visitors and staff.

We also celebrated the most recent gift from the Volunteer Association to TBRHSC. This group’s generous donation to support the purchase of a new hemodialysis machine helps us deliver excellent care to renal patients in our region.

We are healthy together.

Respectfully,

Susan Fraser

TBRHSC Board Chair