MEDIA RELEASE
April 28, 2016
CHAMPLAIN LHIN ENDORSES NEW PLAN TO WORK TOGETHER FOR BETTER PATIENT CARE
At its April 27th meeting, the Champlain Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) Board endorsed the plan for the Boards of the Almonte General Hospital (AGH) and Carleton Place & District Memorial Hospital (CPDMH) to work together to identify opportunities for better care.
This collaborative work has been given a name – the Mississippi River Health Alliance (MRHA).
The Alliance Committee will make recommendations to the two hospital boards and oversee a new shared CEO role.
The Champlain LHIN Board issued a facilitated integration decision which outlines the Alliance’s planning process and direction for moving forward.
“Almonte General Hospital and Carleton Place & District Memorial Hospital should be commended for working together to create administrative efficiencies as a means of improving patient care,” said Jean-Pierre Boisclair, Champlain LHIN Board Chair. “This is an exemplary initiative for our region and a model of collaboration in the health sector.”
Feedback from community and health partners has been positive as well:
“Bravo! In a world where health care only becomes more complicated and expensive, collaboration between these two great local institutions can only augur well for the provision of health services for the residents,” said John Edwards, Councillor, Ramsay Ward, Municipality of Mississippi Mills. “In many ways, the two communities are each other’s greatest asset. Let’s keep going forward in a collaborative frame-of-mind.”
Diana McDonnell, Executive Director of Lanark County Mental Health, agreed. “Lanark County Mental Health has been a collaborative community partner with both of the hospitals for many years in providing shared vision and leadership to promote integrated health care. We are very pleased with this announcement to support individuals and their families in our local communities.”
“I admire your vision, courage and perseverance. Well done,” noted Brian Armstrong, former CPDMH Board Chair.
Dr. Marty White says the benefits are clear. “As a physician who cares for complex care patients in both hospitals, I have found our collaboration to be invaluable. Patients and health care providers will enjoy greater benefits when we work together to improve access and use of our local health facilities. I am excited about our future.”
Stakeholder interviews with key community and health stakeholders provided input into the plan. “The AGH and CPDMH Board members – all members of our local communities who represent the patients and families we serve – each had a voice in the planning,” noted Marcel Pinon, CPDMH Board Chair. “We are grateful for everyone’s involvement.”
Each hospital remains a separate corporation with its own Board providing strategic direction and oversight for its local hospital. It’s business as usual for the staff, physicians, Auxiliary, volunteers and Foundation. Patients will continue to receive the same services at their local hospitals, with the same level of care.
“It’s the right thing to do for our patients and their families,” summed up Paul Virgin, AGH Board Chair. “We are creating a stronger voice and vision for local health care.”
Cutline: Marcel Pinon, Board Chair, Carleton Place & District Memorial Hospital and Paul Virgin, Board Chair, Almonte General Hospital sign the Mississippi River Health Alliance agreement on April 18, 2016.
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