Message from our Administrator and Chairperson of the Board

Following-up on the networking initiatives launched in 1999 with the creation of Network 7b and the sharing of the Chief Executive Officer's position between the Hawkesbury and the Winchester hospitals, our hospital invited its partners to explore even further the concept of networking. That's how the Boards of Directors of the Hawkesbury & District General Hospital (HDGH), the Winchester District Memorial Hospital (WDMH) and The Ottawa Hospital (TOH) approved the creation of a new position combining the responsibility for the administration of both the Hawkesbury and Winchester Hospitals and of Vice-President Regional Network, at The Ottawa Hospital. Mr. André O. Rodier has assumed this position since September 2000.

Since then, Network 7b has continued to take shape and to progress. The three member hospitals have signed a formal agreement creating a joint advisory committee, which has started meeting. Its mandate is to study and recommend network projects aimed at improving patient care.

The key objectives of networking are as follows:

Increase the level or the range of services provided locally, in Hawkesbury; Strengthen the linkages with The Ottawa Hospital and the other healthcare organizations on the territory in order to improve access to service for our population.

The existence of Network 7b has already met with some success in the development of services. The joint proposal presented by the three hospitals for the establishment of satellite dialysis services in Hawkesbury and Winchester was approved by the Ministry in October 2000. This service is available in our Hospital since January 2002.

The HGH&D's Board of Directors was also very active in other areas beyond network projects. Board members proceeded with an extensive consultation of the owners of the hospital. This exercise demonstrated clearly the importance that they attach to the opinions of the members of the community they represent about the services presently offered at the hospital and the development of services to meet future needs. This consultation demonstrated that the vast majority of members of the community are satisfied with the services provided.

Once they had in hand the results of this consultation and those of a detailed analysis of major environmental factors influencing demand as well as of the organization of health services, the Board of Directors reviewed and adjusted its Ends (goals) at its retreat in January 2001. The Board of Directors is also working on the development of a number of indicators which enable them to verify regularly if the hospital is fulfilling its Ends. Finally, the Board is working on the development of mechanisms to strengthen its ties with its owners.

From a financial perspective, the hospital has closed the 2000-2001 fiscal year with a $551,404 surplus. This surplus is due almost entirely to a non-recurring performance bonus received from the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care at the end of March 2001. This supplementary allocation for fiscal year 2000-2001 confirms that our hospital remains one of the best performing hospitals of its category in Ontario. We wish to emphasize the contribution of every employee to the hospital's good performance. In a context where hospital financing will be based more and more on its operational performance, it is essential that the hospital continue to function efficiently.

For fiscal year 2001-2002, the Hospital, like all other hospitals in Ontario, will face even greater financial pressures due to the increases in salaries, energy and supplies costs, and due to the need to adjust service levels in order to meet the community's growing demand for our services as well as for new services. The hospital has actively supported the Ontario Hospital Association's campaign requesting that the government adequately finance Ontario hospitals.

As a result of this campaign, the Government decided to increase hospital funding and to introduce a new funding formula that rewards efficiency and better reflects the needs of each community. Because of these developments, the Hospital hopes to be able to maintain a balanced financial position in 2001-2002.

The Hospital is also greatly preoccupied by the systemic shortage of medical and other healthcare professionals. Amongst other things, the Hospital had to spend considerable time and energy during the past year to replace its radiologists. New radiologists are now in place and the Hospital is in the process of acquiring equipment that will enable the reading of radiology exams from a remote location.

The other shortage we have to deal with is that of nursing staff which is, once again, a national problem. The Hospital continues to conduct an intensive recruitment campaign. We are also exploring all possible solutions to alleviate our staff's workload.

As to the other important events which marked 2000-2001, let us mention the 10th anniversary of the Hospital-In-the-Home, the radiotelethon and the activities to mark the International Year of the Volunteer.

As you can see, this past year was filled with opportunities and challenges of all kinds. The current year promises to bring more of the same. Thanks to the unlimited devotion of every member of this wonderful team - the members of the Board of Directors, the physicians, the employees, the members of the Foundation and of the Friends of the Hospital - and thanks to the continued support and generosity of the community, we are confident that we will continue to move forward for the well-being of the community we serve!

André O. Rodier
Manon Lacelle Lacroix