In Part 1. I was talking about media reports of Charlotte
County residents wanting to take back Charlotte County Hospital from Horizon
Health Network and having a local health board. Minister Boudreau feels it
would be taking a step backwards. I disagree.
When a health authority (HHN) has made no progress, operates
in the red each and every single year since coming to New Brunswick, it’s time
for New Brunswicker’s to look at different options. I am #NBPROUD that
Charlotte County has stood up and said, this is not working, this hasn’t been
working. Our resident deserve better. Charlotte County Hospital is capable of a
lot more than what the health authority deems.
WHO IS TRULY HOLDING NEW BRUNSWICK BACK?
Below are excerpts from Horizon’s Corporate Message for each
physical year. I have provided the page number of the PDF’s.
2008-2009 Horizon
Health Network Corporate Message Excerpt, Page 9: On September 1, 2008 the new Brunswick healthcare system went through a
number of important structural changes that will go a long way to improve
healthcare delivery within the province. the eight former Regional Health
authorities became two new organizations – Regional Health authority a (RHa a)
and Regional Health authority B (RHa B).
Strong from the onset,
the new structure of RHa B was created and staffed with a highly qualified group
of professionals dedicated to ensuring that all new Brunswickers receive safe
and high quality health care.
2009-2010 Horizon
Health Network Corporate Message Excerpt, Page 11: Several major accomplishments achieved include the introduction of a new
corporate name and brand and the development of a four year strategic
framework. Horizon also played a major role in research, education, innovation
and health and wellness initiatives in the Province of New Brunswick.
These accomplishments
were achieved while remaining within the financial projections provided to the
department of Health. Horizon, which operates a $1.1 billion budget with 14,000
employees and 1,000 physicians, will continue to exercise fiscal prudence while
endeavouring to provide the best possible care to the citizens of New
Brunswick.
The strategic planning
framework, developed in consultation with the public, community stakeholders,
staff and physicians will guide Horizon from 2010 to 2013. This will be
accomplished through guiding principles that are focused on progressive
patient-oriented care while leading in research and innovation.
2010-2011 Horizon
Health Network Corporate Message Excerpt, Page 12: Horizon’s vision is “Leading for a Healthy tomorrow,” and we are
pleased to report that the organization is focused to support the provision of
safe, effective and efficient services through the Health services.
2011-2012 Horizon
Health Network Corporate message Excerpt, Page 10: Horizon Health Network (Horizon) continues to be guided by its vision
of “Leading for a Healthy tomorrow,” and our broad range of accomplishments and
achievements exemplify our dedication to achieving this vision.
as Horizon continues
to grow, it also continues to seek out the best and most efficient ways to
provide health-care services to New Brunswickers. this is one of the reasons we
are excited to be one of five critical partners chosen by the Provincial
Government to participate in the Performance excellence Process. this
government-wide strategic management process is a results-oriented, long-term
approach that is expected to improve patient services, increase efficiencies,
and reduce costs.
2012-2013 Horizon
Health Network Corporate Message, Excerpt, Page 10: Horizon has made significant strides in research, innovation, quality,
and health and wellness initiatives in New Brunswick. These accomplishments
were achieved while remaining within the funding provided by the Department of
Health. Horizon will end the 2012-2013 fiscal year with essentially a balanced
budget, and we continue to exercise fiscal prudence, while striving to provide
the best possible care to our patients.
Although Horizon has
essentially balanced its budget, there are greater fiscal challenges ahead. The
Minister of Health has committed that we will reduce health-care spending to
bring our province in line with the nation's average cost per capita by 2017.
2013-2014 Horizon
Health Network Corporate Message, Excerpt Page 13 & 14: Thanks to our staff,
physicians and volunteers, Horizon has shown that in tough economic times we
could still meet the demands of our health-care system. Horizon’s volume of
service in many areas has increased, but with diligent effort from our staff,
our costs have decreased. Last spring we began the process of benchmarking
Horizon’s services and developing more than 100 initiatives that would allow
Horizon to provide better services in an effective and cost-efficient way.
Almost half of these initiatives have now been completed.
Patient and family
centred care is our primary focus. Putting this philosophy into practice will
take time but ultimately we want all patients to feel that we are there for
them, first and foremost. Horizon and its Board support this philosophy and
have begun to develop a new strategic plan that will guide the establishment of
service priorities. We have held consultations with major stakeholders,
including our staff and patients, so that this plan will paint the picture for
health care in 20 years and provide a clear path for the next five years. Our
Board continues to work with Horizon leadership and the strategic plan should
be completed this fall.
2014-2015 Horizon
Health Network Corporate Message, Excerpt, Page 13 & 14: The status quo was not working to provide
the best care for our patients. By consulting with the public, our health
partners, staff and physicians, we are confident that the strategic priorities
we identified provide real solutions to improve the overall patient experience
and health outcomes for New Brunswickers.
Our first priority
remains to provide a patient and family centred care environment which is
fundamental to all activities and initiatives undertaken at Horizon. The second
priority is to create five new Horizon Centres of Expertise in the areas of:
Aging and Eldercare, Neurosciences, Maternal/Child, Oncology and Nephrology,
and reaffirm their commitment to the quality services already provided at the
NB Heart Centre in Saint John and the Stan Cassidy Centre for Rehabilitation in
Fredericton.
2015-2016 Horizon
Health Network Corporate Message, Excerpt, Page 13: It has been a year since the launch of Horizon’s Strategic Plan and we
are making great strides to improve the health of our population. Exceptional
care is what the people of New Brunswick expect and deserve from us. We
continue to engage community stakeholders and our staff in order to fully
understand what people want from Horizon Health Network, and how we can serve
the varied needs of our populations.
Our five-year plan
outlines our four priorities of patient-focused care, developing advanced
models in selected areas, redirecting resources, and advocating firmly. This is
not something that can be done overnight or in silos.
These are their words verbatim. Not mine. More questions. Has
health care gotten better or worse with Horizon in New Brunswick?
Victor Boudreau’s opinion is it would be taking a step
back-wards in health care, having a local board for Charlotte County Hospital.
FYI before working in health care, I also
worked for a grading company.
From the looks of it, the Atcon disaster was
predicted by numerous people, in New Brunswick. “ASININE” was quoted.
New Brunswick, you have the exact same
person, well actually you have others who are Ministers in the New Brunswick
government today.
If Gallant had disclosed during his
election campaign that people who were involved with the Atcon debacle, were
his pick for Minister’s, would New Brunswick have elected him Premier? That’s
like letting a fox guard your chicken coup.
Economy
Plan 2016, Excerpt, page 4
Deeper
Dive: Taking Control of our Destiny:
We have to realize that no one else is coming to our rescue.
We must take control of our collective destiny. If we are to
achieve the vision for our province in the long term, it will be our decisions
– as individuals, families, business owners, community leaders and government –
that will make it happen.
Charlotte County wants to take control of their destiny.
Having Charlotte County Hospital back with a local board, is viable. Charlotte County Hospital and the services it
provides is vital for Charlotte County’s economy. It’s apparent that the people
in charge in Fredericton, do not grasp that concept.
Again there are questions that need to be asked in respect
to going this route as well.
What will be the roles and responsibilities of the community
health board and each of its members?
How long will a board member be allowed to serve on the
board?
Since Horizon came into the Province, what roles have staff
been a part of at each facility, or in this case Charlotte County Hospital?
What roles have been taken away at Charlotte County Hospital (and other
facilities) since Horizon came to the Province, or before Horizon started?
Will there be transparency?
Having a local board, does not mean that the community will always
agree with the decisions made.
Services cost money. There would be a budget CCH would have
to keep within. The goal is to provide better services for Charlotte County
residents. Board members, CCH and the community would have to do it wisely, and
work together. Otherwise, the hospital
and the community could very well be in the exact same boat it is now with
Horizon.
If anyone can do it, Charlotte County can.
