THUNDER BAY – Health News – TBRHSC faced several challenges and celebrated many accomplishments in 2012. As I reflect on the past year, I am proud of the dedication demonstrated by the hundreds of healthcare professionals and staff who continue to go “above and beyond” to provide exceptional patient and family centred care at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. I am also grateful to the many volunteers and donors who give so much to advance healthcare for everyone in our community. We are Healthy Together.
The New Year brings many opportunities for ongoing success.
As our Strategic Plan progresses, we look forward to creating an engagement strategy with Aboriginal partners. To better address the needs of Aboriginal patients we plan to establish an Aboriginal Navigator service, increase cultural awareness opportunities, and will focus on recruitment to integrate Aboriginal staff, volunteers and Patient Family Advisors at TBRHSC.
To advance continuity, patient safety and quality of care for people living with a chronic disease, we will create an expert panel of Chronic Disease Prevention and Management leaders, integrate technology and establish inter-professional teams across organizations. Prevention and Screening work will continue to educate and engage patients, families, community members and healthcare providers.
We will continue to provide Comprehensive Clinical Services, develop and deliver secondary and tertiary care based on evidence, and work with healthcare providers to deliver care in the most appropriate setting. We also plan to create an inter-professional academic learning environment to improve care.
TBRHSC is committed to improving service and flow throughout the continuum of care for patients and families dealing with mental health issues and/or addictions, and will work to prevent and reduce the impact of addictions throughout Northwestern Ontario. Within TBRHSC, work will continue to establish a Psychiatric Emergency Service, and we will develop academic training, residency and professional training programs that provide inter-professional Mental Health and Addictions education.
Research conducted through the Thunder Bay Regional Research Institute will support work in these areas, including reducing the impact of chronic diseases and developing new evidence to advance patient care.
I am excited about the path we have set. Our priorities are based on the healthcare needs of the people of our community, and I believe that, a year from now, we will celebrate another year of achievements in Patient and Family Centred Care. I wish you all the best for a happy and healthy 2013.
Respectfully,
Susan Fraser, Chair, Board of Directors
