Health Care Success – the Dutch Way !

The Annual General Meeting of the Middlesex Hospital Alliance (MHA) - and its Foundations - was held at Trillium Village Auditorium on Tuesday June 9, and featured guest speaker Paul Thewissen, Counselor for Health, Welfare & Sports, Royal Netherlands Embassy, Washington, DC speaking on Health Care Success - the Dutch Way!

Paul Thewissen holds a Master of Arts in Public Health Sciences and a Master of Law. He studied at Maastricht University in the Netherlands and specialized in management of health care, heath care policies, patient rights and ethical issues. Since September 2006 he has been the counselor for Health, Welfare and Sport at the Royal Netherlands Embassy in Washington, DC. In this position he represents the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport in the United States and Canada. In addition he represents the Ministry of Youth and Families.

Prior to his assignment in Washington, Paul Thewissen worked for six years at the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport on the reform of the Dutch health care system. This project resulted in a new insurance system as of January 1, 2006 for curative healthcare in the Netherlands under which all residents of the Netherlands are obliged to take out private health insurance. "In the Netherlands, all citizens are covered regardless of socioeconomic status. Insurance companies are obliged to provide universal coverage for everyone", Mr. Thewissen said.

Ineke Haan, chair of the MHA Board of Directors, chaired the Annual General Meeting where written reports were presented from both chair Haan and from MHA Chief Executive Officer, Mike Mazza. The full reports are available on the MHA website, http://www.mhalliance.on.ca/.

The Chair's report states that the board and the MHA administration were involved in extensive negotiations with the South West LHIN last year around the recommendations of an External Review. Additionally, the Chair's report notes that "the significant transformation process and achievements of the Middlesex Hospital Alliance over the past year are the results of a dedicated team of staff, administration, physicians and volunteers, making our two community hospitals stronger during changing times."

Haan notes that since early last year, administration, physicians and staff have put forth the recommendation to consolidate 4^th and 2^nd floors into one unit, closing the physical space on 4^th floor and maintaining obstetrical services.

"I am confident that the transformation process has positioned SMGH well for the future.

I offer my sincere appreciation to the board of directors, and the community members who serve on Board committees. The commitment of time and talents given so generously by all of these individuals contributes to the successful governance and direction of the Middlesex Hospital Alliance," Haan states.

"The future continues to hold challenges for the MHA specifically and for all health care delivery in rural Ontario. This Board will continue to meet those challenges, through continued negotiations and collaboration with our LHIN, our local politicians and community leaders. Additionally, we will continue to do the work required to develop our own best practices in leadership and governance," Haan's report says.

Haan's report concludes with thanks and recognition for MHA board members who are retiring from the board; Andrew Thorogood, Robin Fennell-Plummer, Lorne McIntyre, Bill Sasse, Dr. Cathy Blokker and Dr. Shelly Sharma. She also acknowledged the contributions of the MHA's two Chiefs of Staff - Dr. Jon Dreyer and Dr. Paul Ferner, the Chief Executive Officer, Mike Mazza, and his administrative team, Nancy Maltby-Webster, Paul Long, Cathy Swan and Lynda Robinson at the FCHS site.

The written report from Mike Mazza, CEO summarizes the SMGH Transformation Plan. "Prior to the External Review in 2008, the SMGH staff, physicians and board had already launched a Transformation Plan, to critically evaluate options for cost savings without loss of services. SMGH had already taken action to reduce expenditures by about $900,000 by the end of 2008. This initial action was called Transformation Phase 1. These changes have resulted in significant savings. Phase 2 of the Transformation Plan is underway this year, including the amalgamations on the 4th floor. The Plan continues to find success," the CEO's report says.

Mazza's report also makes mention of some of the new and expanded services available

at MHA, in particular the changes at FCHS, which include a new dermatology clinic, Telemental health services, new cardiac monitors, and the launch of Vocera, a communication system for staff and physicians.

The CEO's report identifies the importance of new staff appointments, particularly at Strathroy, notably the stabilizing of the anesthesia service and department, with the appointment of Dr. Richard Tilsworth as Chief of Anesthesia, and the appointment of Dr. Julie Copeland as Chief of Emergency Services. Additionally, a new orthopaedic surgeon, Dr. Vaishnav Rajgopal is starting in July this year to replace departing orthopaedic surgeon, Dr. Samer Hanna.

In closing, Mazza says, "Throughout the year we have also had strong support from the Board Executive team. I would like to thank Ineke Haan, Board Chair, who has been a steady hand and a sharp mind through some unique challenges. Her negotiation skills have been essential, with the South West LHIN, the Ministry of Health and the Municipalities in our catchment, for instance. I give special thanks also to Ralph Coe and Ed Veeke, and the other Board members, and to our fundraising partners Sue McLean and Dorothy Gillies and all the foundation members of both hospital corporations. The Middlesex Hospital Alliance is committed to continue providing quality care to the patients we serve."

Connecting with the Future of Care

Health Care Success – the Dutch Way !