THUNDER BAY – Business – The 2012/2013 fiscal year comes to a close at the end of this month. We are almost another year into the implementation of our Strategic Plan, with the patient and families at the centre of everything we do. We have focused our efforts on four strategic directions: Aboriginal Health, Chronic Disease Prevention and Management, Comprehensive Clinical Services, and Mental Health and Addictions.
Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre Report
The Strategic Plan was developed through extensive engagement and embodies a strong consensus of people represented by five partners in health: health professionals, health managers, policy makers, academic institutions and communities. Together, over 400 participants examined the environment and health status of the residents of Northwestern Ontario and held critical conversations to determine how we can deliver the best healthcare to meet needs.
We have accomplished much in each strategic direction. For example, the Aboriginal Advisory Committee has reviewed all Corporate and approved Program/Service goals and activities to ensure our strategic directions are sensitive to expressed Aboriginal values, practices and traditions. In addition, interprofessional teams such as the Bariatric program team were established across organizations; an implementation plan for interventional radiology services has been developed; and we have collaborated to improve service and flow throughout the continuum of care for people living with mental illness and/or addictions. I am proud of the continued advancement of quality patient care at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC).
Just as it was created, the Strategic Plan is implemented in collaboration with others. TBRHSC representatives participate on many committees with other local, provincial and national organizations, and we engage in many joint activities. I am very proud of these meaningful partnerships – and more importantly, the advantages they bring to our patients and families.
Our Strategic Plan progress is likewise monitored in collaboration. We held an engagement session with our five partners last June to ensure our priorities remain relevant. This type of monitoring helps to identify not only where we are on schedule with our strategic activities, but also to re-examine whether we need to allot more time or more resources to achieve certain goals within a realistic time frame.
As we look to the new fiscal year just around the corner, we remain committed to ongoing engagement. Input is critical to ensuring our services reflect the priorities of the people we serve. Meaningful dialogue enables us to become Healthy Together.
Finally, Gridlock was cleared at TBRHSC on February 15 and we remain cautiously optimistic regarding the overcapacity situation at TBRHSC. We continue to work with our community partners to ensure ongoing patient flow strategies both at TBRHSC and in the community. I take this opportunity to extend my personal appreciation to our partners, as well as TBRHSC staff, physicians and volunteers for their efforts and dedication to patient care.
Respectfully,
Susan Fraser, Chair
Board of Directors, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre
Take a virtual tour of the TBRHSC: tbrhsc.net
