O’LEARY
Although he is no longer Minister of Health, O’Leary-Inverness MLA Robert Henderson assured members of the O’Leary Community Health Foundation during their annual meeting Monday night that he will make it his mission to deliver on their quest for an ambulatory care nurse.
It’s a request that was discussed during last year’s annual meeting when he was Health minister.
Henderson’s successor, Robert Mitchell, assured the foundation members that he continues to work on that request and indicated he hopes to be able to deliver soon.
Mitchell said the chemical analyzer the foundation wants is on his department’s radar.
Foundation chairwoman Eva Rodgerson pointed out her foundation already has the money in place to cover the cost of the new equipment.
Mitchell praised the foundation for its ongoing efforts. “You’re doing a tremendous amount of work to support the health and well-being of your citizens,” he said.
The Foundation’s financial report showed the organization spent $53,194 on equipment for the hospital last year, and $350,000 over the past two years. It shows cash receipts for the year of $110,984, with fundraising and donations bringing in over $57,000 and income from nearly $1.2 million of investments totaling almost $45,000.
Cash disbursements totalled $73,923.
“It’s quite an accomplishment for a small organization in O’Leary” the Foundation’s treasurer, Kevin MacLeod observed, extending acknowledgements to everyone who supports the foundation’s efforts.
Mitchell described the foundation’s efforts as being “nothing short of outstanding.”
Rodgerson reported there are some big-ticket purchases on the Foundation’s horizon, including $60,000 for the chemical analyzer and another $60,000 to set up a training lab in the hospital.
“Many times when staff come here, I’m told a lot of times, they can’t keep their qualifications up if they don’t do a certain amount of procedures and tests,” Rodgerson relayed.
“We’re excited to offer that service. We’re hoping that will help to keep young people in the area where they can keep their skills up.”
Last year’s expansion of telehealth services at the hospital, Mitchell said, would not have been possible without the foundation’s contribution.
Mitchell and Paul Young, Administrator of Community Hospitals West, both referenced Community Hospital’s palliative care program. Mitchell said he was truly impressed with that service during a hospital tour, and Young said feedback delivered during the hospital’s accreditation survey, described O’Leary’s palliative care service as “second-to-none.”
Young reported that P.E.I. is a national leader for patient and family-centered care and the Canadian Foundation for Health Care Improvement recently showcased Community Hospital’s leadership in that field, allowing a flexible pet presence policy, and providing shower and laundry availability for partners in care.
Rodgerson said the foundation’s 11-member board keeps its ear to the ground, ready to respond to equipment purchase needs and to lobby for services for the hospital and long-term care facility. She said they are wanting to have reproductive support services for families added at the hospital.
Transportation for seniors needing to go to medical or dental appointments needs more attention, and wait times for long-term care is still too long, Rodgerson observed.
Mitchell reported the province employed a short-term solution to the physiotherapist shortage in West Prince by creating its first ever private contract for physiotherapy. He indicated a sponsorship program has also been developed to help attract physiotherapists, and two physiotherapists have been hired for the region and are scheduled to start in the fall.
MacLennan joins Foundation
Alma MacLennan was voted in as a board member during the annual meeting of the O’Leary Community Health Foundation. She joins returning board members Eva Rodgerson, Eileen Brown, Fairley Yeo, Kevin MacLeod, Paul Arsenault, Jacquie Lidstone, Gail Shaw, Susan Shea, and Lorraine Savory. The O’Leary Health Care Auxiliary also names a representative to the Foundation.
