WELLINGTON COUNTY – New funding announcements, board appointments and special thanks to hospital staff and physicians are highlights of a joint annual general meeting of Groves Memorial Community Hospital (GMCH) and North Wellington Health Care (NWHC) held in June.
“Our COVID-19 response continued to be the top story during the year,” stated chair of the GMCH/NWHC joint executive committee Dale Small.
“Both boards would like to extend our deep appreciation for all the hard work of our hospital leadership, staff and physicians.”
Newly elected GMCH board chair Gilles Madore stated his appreciation for a funding announcement issued by Perth-Wellington MPP Randy Pettapiece ealier in June about an increase to base funding.
“Both boards are pleased with the overall two per cent increase to our base budget for the current year,” Madore said. “This will cover inflationary cost increases at our Palmerston, Mount Forest and Fergus sites.
“The funding will also allow for additional staff to support our COVID-19 response, infection control, and staff training.”
A one-time funding announcement of $116,000 will be used to expand CT exams at GMCH, officials state and growth funding of approximately $800,000 will support expanded services at GMCH and NWHC, which will contribute to additional inpatient beds and ambulatory clinics at Groves, as well as additional staff at Louise Marshall’s emergency department.
“Both GMCH and NWHC ended the year with a small surplus,” Small stated.
The board received several updates on operations which included the computer infrastructure upgrade at the Palmerston District Hospital as well as the Louise Marshall Hospital (LMH) redevelopment project.
“We are pleased to report the new LMH emergency, ambulatory care and oncology departments are scheduled to open in September,” said Stephen Street, president and CEO of all three campuses.
Recruitment is underway for a new president and CEO to replace Street who is retiring this fall. Interviews are scheduled to start at the end of June.
The boards also thanked several retiring directors and past chairs and welcomed new directors.
Dr. Chris Rowley, NWHC and Dr. Patrick Otto, GMCH were appointed chiefs of staff for a two-year term.
Additional 2021/22 board members
Groves Memorial Community Hospital:
-Gilles Madore (Chair);
-Tom Barlow (Vice-Chair);
-Richard Wright (Treasurer);
-Jackie Ranahan;
-Ian Hornsby;
-Leslie Flaherty;
-Helen Bogl;
-Gillian Alton;
-Neil Dunsmore;
-Kelly Linton;
-Kirk McElwain;
-Stephen O’Neill;
-Howard Dobson; and
-Gord Feniak.
North Wellington Health Care:
-Dale Small (Chair);
-Roslyn Fortier (Vice-Chair);
-Gary Schumacher (Treasurer);
-Brian McMahon;
-Brian Milne;
-Carrie Hurst;
-Michael O’Dwyer;
-Angela Stanley;
-Judy Dirksen; and
-Dan Yake.
