November 30, 2005 

The Board of Directors of Atlantic Health Sciences Corporation held its regular monthly meeting November 28 at the Peninsula Branch Royal Canadian Legion in Moss Glen, Kingston Peninsula. The following are highlights of that meeting: 

Sr. Joseph’s Community Health Centre

Manager Dawn Marie Buck and Family Physician Jennifer Hall presented Board members with information on Primary Care and Community Development. They introduced a “typical” old north end Saint John family and described the various economic, environmental and health issues affecting each member of the family. They then described the many services provided by the team of health professionals at St. Joseph’s Community Health Centre that can help this family. Board members were then invited to attend an upcoming Open House on December 5. 

Report of the CEO

In her report, Barb McGill, (Acting) President and CEO of Atlantic Health Sciences Corporation advised Board members that the SJCHC Pap Clinic in is to be discontinued. “This is a good news story,” McGill explained. “ Former Pap clinic patients without access to a family physician now have the option to become patients at St. Joseph’s Community Health Centre where they will have access to comprehensive health services as needed.” 

McGill also updated Board members on AHSC’s Inside Out Project. “This is the initiative to allow easier access for patients needing blood tests, basic x-rays or ECG’s. We are getting closer to opening a location in KV.” McGill explained that we are working to finalize a location and hope to have these services available by the end of March, 2006. 

McGill reported on the official opening of the satellite dialysis unit at Sussex Health Centre on November 25. "This satellite unit of the AHSC nephrology program will allow patients to

remain in Sussex, but have their care directed by specialists at the Saint John Regional Hospital," said McGill. McGill noted that the unit became a reality through a partnership with Atlantic Health Sciences Corporation, the Sussex Health Centre Foundation and the provincial Department of Health and Wellness. 

Integration Public Health and Community Mental Health

McGill reported on the integration of staff and services from Public Health and Community Mental Health. “We are very pleased that these staff members are now official members on patient care teams,” said McGill. She explained that groups within public health, community mental health and Atlantic Health Sciences Corporation have been meeting to plan for this integration. “It’s important that this transition happens smoothly so that we all may continue to provide the best possible health and wellness for our community,” McGill said.

 Medical Advisory Committee

AHSC Chief of Staff, Dr. Brian Wheelock announced to Board members that Dr. Cathy Hurd has been successfully recruited as family physician in Sussex. “This will have considerable impact on the patients without access to a family physician in that area,” Wheelock explained. 

Dr. Wheelock than reported that the Medical Advisory Committee has accepted, with regret, the resignation of Dr. David Green as deputy chief of staff at the Charlotte County Hospital. The Board members then passed a motion to acknowledge Dr. Green for his dedicated service.

 Finance Committee

                                                                                    7 months                     7 months

                                                                                    ended October 2005   ended October 2005

Shareable Surplus (Deficit)                                       ($2.370 M)                   ($0.372 M)

Medicare Deficit                                                          ($0.483 M)                   ($0.449 M)

Non-shareable Surplus Deficit                                  ($0.137M)                    $0.664 M

Board Surplus (Deficit)                                                $0.796 M                     $0.195 M

Amortization of Assets                                                ($1.150 M)                   ($1.220 M)

Total Surplus (Deficit)                                                 ($2.688 M)                   $0.268 M

Signage at St. Joseph’s: The Finance Committee recommended and the Board approved that the signage at St Joseph’s Hospital be completed.

 Other

• Construction of the third Cardiac Catheterization Lab began the week of November 21, 2005

• The responses to the recent Request for Proposals for new PET scanner are now being evaluated.

• AHSC representatives attended recent recruitment fairs at Dalhousie University and at Memorial University.

• The Department of Emergency Medicine is participating in two research studies. One study will follow multivisit patients to the Emergency Department, offer interventions as necessary and measure outcomes related to patient satisfaction and number of return visits to the Emergency Department. The other study will follow the Safer Healthcare Now initiative in care for patients suffering an acute MI.