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November 27, 1997, Brantford, ON -- The Health Services Restructuring Commission (HSRC), an independent body of health experts and professionals, today released its preliminary decisions to restructure health services in Brant County.

"Our goal is to achieve the best possible publicly-funded health system for the people of Ontario," said HSRC Commissioner Daniel Ross. "We believe our decisions will set the stage for building an improved and better coordinated health services system in Brant County, today and in the future."

The Commission issued preliminary decisions (Notices of Intention to Issue Directions or "Notices") and announced that there will be a response period. Organizations and individuals are invited to comment on the HSRC recommendations by January 5, 1998.

Report highlights

• In Brantford, inpatient and ambulatory programs including emergency, day surgery, acute mental health, rehabilitation and complex continuing care will be consolidated at the Brantford General Hospital site, with the St. Joseph's Hospital site to close by April 2000.
  
• St. Joseph's Hospital is encouraged to identify another purpose for the site.
  
• The role of The Willett Hospital will be confirmed following the Brant County District Health Council review of health services in light of the Rural and Northern Health Care Framework.
  
• The Willett Hospital, with assistance from the district health council, should continue to develop a pilot model of primary care reform in Paris and the surrounding rural community.
  
• One-third of the board members of Brantford General Hospital will be appointed for a 3-year period from a list of candidates provided by St. Joseph's Hospital. This will preserve the expertise that St. Joseph's Hospital has provided to the residents of Brant County and ensure a smooth transition.
  
• The Willett Hospital and Brantford General Hospital will maintain separate governance, management and medical advisory committees. Members of the board will be cross-appointed to enhance communication and facilitate the development of joint planning between the organizations.
  
• There will be a total of 343 beds including sufficient capacity to meet future needs to the year 2003, based on:
  
  • 173 acute care beds plus 22 beds for growth;
    
  • 23 sub-acute care beds;
    
  • 21 acute mental health beds (14 longer term mental health beds required by residents of Brant County to be located in Hamilton);
    
  • 20 local rehabilitation beds (5 regional rehabilitation beds and 1 transition to independent living place to be located in Hamilton); and
    
  • 64 complex continuing care beds.
• Brant County will be able to meet the growing need to provide services to the elderly, with 394 additional long term care places. Of this number, 146 beds will be required in nursing homes and homes for the aged. The remaining 248 places will be needed in supportive housing, long term home care, adult day care and attendant care.
  
• Recommended reinvestment of $6.4 million in services in Brant County:
  
  • $1.1 million for acute home care;
    
  • $2.7 million for long term care;
    
  • $1.7 million for sub-acute care (for people who need acute care such as nursing and therapy, but do not require daily physician involvement); and
    
  • $.9 million mental health.
• Recommended reinvestment of $20.6 million to renovate and expand Brantford General Hospital.
  
• $16.4 million in annual savings, or 20.3 per cent based on 1995/96 net expenses of $81 million.

Governance and management

The Commission also intends to direct that the board of the Brantford General Hospital appoint one-third of its board members for a 3-year period from a list of candidates provided by St. Joseph's Hospital. "We believe this approach will preserve the expertise that St. Joseph's Hospital has provided to the residents of Brant County and ensure a smooth transition," said Mr. Ross.

The Commission believes that interlocking membership will enhance communication between the two boards and will facilitate the development of joint planning between the organizations. Under this governance model, each hospital would continue to have separate administrative structures and medical advisory committees.

Role of The Willett Hospital

The Commission also recommends that The Willett Hospital becomes a pilot site for the development of primary care model for Paris and the surrounding rural community. "We are impressed with the vision and innovative approach being developed by these two organizations. The Commission supports these efforts and believes the focus on primary care - in particular, health promotion, disease prevention and health maintenance - should be expanded," said. Mr. Ross.

The Commission expects implementation of its directions and recommendations for Brant County to be completed by December 1999.

"I want to stress that there will be no reduction of services as a result of these recommendations. There will be enhanced services for all Brant County residents. We believe that our decisions will lead to improved quality and better access to a wide range of services for the population served by Brant County," concluded Mr. Ross.

The HSRC is a group of individuals appointed by the government of Ontario to redesign the Ontario health system. It is an independent agency of doctors, academic health science professionals, hospital administrators, former hospital board members and other experts.

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