PEMBROKE, February 25, 1997 - The Health Services Restructuring Commission (HSRC) today issued its final report and directions to hospitals for integrating hospital services in Pembroke.
The Commission also released its recommendations to the Minister of Health on which health services in Pembroke will require additional funds to satisfy new demands resulting from changes to the hospital system.
The decisions were based on the report prepared by the Pembroke Hospital Services Review Committee of the Renfrew County District Health Council (DHC,) and have been revised and refined in response to community input on the notices of intention to issue directions delivered on Dec. 3, 1996.
The plan recognizes the unique aspects of Pembroke's health services system and its role as a hospital centre for Renfrew County.
The Commission's decisions follow many of the DHC's recommendations, including creation of a single-site hospital and formation of a single governing board with broad community representation.
During the 30-day notice period that followed its December report, the HSRC received 20 representations, and many petitions and letters. With further research, analysis and deliberation, the HSRC has modified and refined certain components of the previous plan.
Under the restructuring plan all hospital services will be provided by Pembroke General Hospital.
By March 31, 1997, the hospital will develop a plan to ensure that its board of directors is representative of the Pembroke community in terms of its ethnic, linguistic, religious, cultural and socio-economic composition. This process will be assisted by an HSRC-appointed facilitator, and will involve participation from the community.
"We think it is vital that the community should have a voice in this process and that the new board should reflect the community served by the hospital," said commissioner George Lund.
To accommodate the hospital's expanded services, the HSRC is recommending to the Minister of Health that a budget of $3.4 million be earmarked to renovate and expand Pembroke General Hospital. The hospital should be expanded by 25,000 square feet in order to offer full clinical services to its increased caseload.
In addition, the recommendations include an additional $2.1 million for furnishings, equipment, ancillary items and site development.
By March 31, 1997, Pembroke Civic Hospital and Pembroke General Hospital will develop a plan for transfer and consolidation of all services, including acute, chronic and rehabilitation care, and acute mental health care. Long-term mental health care will be provided in Ottawa-Carleton.
Both hospitals will examine ways to promote efficiency in administrative, support and diagnostic services. As well, the hospital administrations, in co-operation with representatives of affected employees, will develop a human resources adjustment plan by March 31, 1997.
Pembroke Civic Hospital has been instructed to prepare a plan to close its site and transfer services to Pembroke General by December 31, 1997. There are milestones within this time frame, including closure of the emergency department by June 30, 1997, and no further admissions of elective patients by October 31, 1997.
The new hospital setting will provide the community with 137 beds: 87 acute care (including 10 intensive care beds within a new critical care unit) 18 chronic care, 17 rehabilitation, and 15 new mental health beds.
The emergency department will be expanded to accommodate 54,000 visits annually - the same number currently handled by the two Pembroke hospitals.
"We can improve quality of care, eliminate duplication and waste, and save an estimated $9.7 million annually by offering all hospital services at one expanded and improved site," said Lund. "The new system will serve Pembroke and Renfrew County more effectively, efficiently and economically." The $9.7 million in savings is a revision from the previously stated $14.6 million.
The HSRC is recommending that the Minister of Health reinvest in health care services by allocating annual operating funds of $1.377 million for rehabilitation, $394,000 for acute mental health care and between $220,000 and $255,000 for transitional care. It expects to recommend about $433,000 for home care services once a clinical review that is in process confirms the need for additional resources.
The HSRC is undertaking research into long-term and rehabilitative care throughout the province. It will establish policy and planning targets to guide its decisions in these areas. The research is expected to be completed by early March and, following a period of consultation, the HSRC will apply the policy in restructuring decisions for communities across the province.
The HSRC has also recommended that the Renfrew County District Health Council examine the potential for restructuring the four hospitals in Renfrew County outside Pembroke. These are in Renfrew, Barry's Bay, Deep River and Arnprior. The Ministry of Health has already funded this initiative.
The Health Services Restructuring Commission is an independent and expert agency of the Ontario government with a four-year mandate to restructure health services across the province. Its mandate is to direct hospital restructuring and advise the Minister of Health on reinvesting in and restructuring other health services to improve quality and patient outcomes.
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