THUNDER BAY – BUSINESS – Patients and families across Northern Ontario will benefit from the newly expanded Northern Supply Chain (NSC) thanks to improved standardization of supplies across the two regions. Located at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, the initiative has expanded to include North East Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) hospitals.
Previously known as the Northwest Supply Chain, the collaboration was established in 2011 as a joint venture sponsored by the Health Sciences Centre and St. Joseph’s Care Group to provide a central supply chain to member organizations of the North West LHIN. The Northwest Supply Chain worked closely with the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services’ (MGCS), and Supply Chain Ontario to bring 24 North East LHIN hospitals together to join what is now called the Northern Supply Chain. The addition makes this initiative the largest shared service organization in the province by number of members and customers.
“We are pleased to welcome the Northeast LHIN hospitals to our supply chain partnership,” said Derek Gascoigne, General Manager of NSC. “Through this expansion we are really unifying the North and strengthening the continuity of care for our patients and families through standardization of medical supplies, services and equipment.”
With other major health centres such as Timmins, Sault St Marie, North Bay and Sudbury, the NSC will benefit from the shared knowledge and best practices that accompany similar services and needs, thereby increasing the NSC’s level of expertise. Enhanced innovation and efficiencies also result in significant financial savings that can be allocated to patient care.
“Member hospitals in the North West have already seen an average return of $7.00 for every dollar spent on membership fees. In the past five years, the 13 participating North West hospitals have saved more than $20 million. Through the increased buying power that results from our growing partnership, we anticipate similar savings for all Northern Ontario members,” said Gascoigne.
“This collaboration is an excellent example of the direction the province is supporting in terms of driving systemic efficiencies and strengthening partnerships. Member hospitals, staff, and ultimately their patients, including patients of our Hospital, will benefit from this growing initiative. By working in partnership, we become healthy together,” said Jean Bartkowiak, President and CEO, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, and CEO, Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute.
To learn more about the Northern Supply Chain, please visit www.tbrhsc.net/nsc
