POUR DIFFUSION IMMÉDIATE / FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date:  2007-12-13                                                                      N^o / No. : RSR-RHA-071203

REGULAR MONTHLY PUBLIC MEETING OF THE RESTIGOUCHE HEALTH AUTHORITY BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Campbellton (N.B.) - The Board of Directors of the Restigouche Health Authority held its regular monthly public meeting on December 10, 2007, at the Campbellton Regional Hospital. Here are the highlights of that meeting:

Report of the President and CEO

President and CEO, Dan Arseneau, reported that the Health Authority is proceeding with the transfer of operations of its Dalhousie-based Ambulance service to Ambulance New Brunswick.  “As of December 16, 2007, all ambulance services in the Province will be consolidated under a new public-sector company” said the CEO.  “We have made arrangements with Ambulance New Brunswick to ensure a smooth transition between the two organizations.  Under the new administration, ambulance services for the Dalhousie area will remain at their current location in the St. Joseph Community Health Centre.”    

The project to relocate Rehabilitation Services from their current location on the ground floor of the St. Joseph Community Health Centre to the fourth floor is still ongoing. Completion of the project is expected by January 31, 2008. “With this project, the Health Authority will be able to provide Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and Speech-Language Pathology services in a more appropriate physical environment” said the CEO. “This will be beneficial for both patients and staff.”

The Health Authority is closely monitoring the number of inpatients at the Campbellton Regional Hospital who are waiting for placement in a Nursing Home.  While the issue of the placement of patients in Nursing Homes in Region 5 is not as critical as in other health Regions, we have seen a slight increase in the number of patients waiting for Nursing Home beds over the past few months” said the CEO.  “We are making every effort to minimize this situation and ensure that patients are moved from the hospital to the appropriate care setting as soon as possible.”

Report of the Professional Advisory Committee (PAC)

Mrs. Ruth Lyons, Chairperson of the Professional Advisory Committee, presented her report. She advised the Board that the patient satisfaction questionnaire has been revised to include patients admitted from the emergency room and a section on patient safety.

She also noted that the Ethics Committee has approved a research project entitled “Understanding Gender Differences in Exercise from a Social and Ecological Perspective during and after Cardiac Rehabilitation”.  The main researcher is Dr. Chris Blanchard, from Dalhousie University.

Report of the Chief Nursing Officer

Mrs. Gwen Cook, Chief Nursing Officer, presented her report. She advised the Board that a draft of the floor plan has been completed for the new Oncology Clinic as well as all the other ambulatory services that are to be located on Level 3 of the Campbellton Regional Hospital.  The Health Authority has received approval for the clinic’s budget by the Department of Health. 

Mrs. Cook also advised the Board that the Health Authority has been working closely with the Department of Health to identify all requirements for the new 4-bed Palliative Care Unit in Dalhousie.  A final draft report as to space requirements is now complete and will be reviewed by the Department of Health and the Architect assigned to the project by the end of December.  

Finance and Planning Committee

The Finance and Planning Committee reported a deficit of $335,695 for Transferable Programs, and a deficit of $46,247 for Non-Transferable Programs as of October 31, 2007.  The Mental Health budget deficit is $237,979.

Restigouche Hospital Centre

The Chairperson of the Board, Mr. Édouard Maltais, advised board members of the government’s decision to proceed with the construction of a new, state-of-the-art provincial psychiatric hospital to replace the existing Restigouche Hospital Centre in Campbellton.  Program design and architectural planning will commence in the fiscal year beginning April 1, 2008.  Further details will be announced on Tuesday, December 11, 2007, by Finance Minister Victor Boudreau when he tables the government’s capital spending plans for the 2008-2009 fiscal year.

“This is certainly wonderful news for our Health Authority and the entire province” said Mr. Maltais. “Again, I would like to thank the Minister of Health and the Premier for their support in this important file and for respecting their commitment to replace the aging facility.  We commend their support to provide quality mental health services for all New Brunswickers.”  

Date of next meeting

Monday, January 21, 2008 – Campbellton Regional Hospital.