It has been a year of renewal for Niagara Health System. From the provincial government’s $26.2-million planning grant for a new South Niagara hospital and two Urgent Care Centres, to the success of new regional services, NHS continues its mission to build a world-class health system.
NHS experienced many other remarkable changes in the past year, including major shifts in the way we provide care, the opening of a new site in St. Catharines, the creation of a new board and the selection of a new CEO, President, Chief of Staff and other leaders.
All of these changes were highlighted today at the NHS Annual General Meeting and are featured in our 2013-14 annual report.
“While these changes are significant in their own right; the cumulative effect has been renewal,” said Angela Zangari, Interim President and Chief Financial Officer. “Our renewed focus on quality care and caring is guiding our efforts to build a world-class hospital system.”
Dr. Tom Stewart, who joined the NHS as Chief of Staff last month, added: “As we embark upon many exciting new milestones and transitions, the Niagara Health System remains unified and committed to one common goal: to provide a high-quality, patient-centred healthcare system.”
Dr. Barry Wright, Chair of the Board of Directors, said the health system encourages input from Niagara residents. “We are striving to listen and improve when you give us feedback, building more trust with you around what’s important. We’ve heard many stories from you that our front-line teams are helping in this, delivering hundreds of great patient experiences every day.”
Highlights from the Niagara Health System annual report:
- Ongoing quality improvements, including a reduction in mortality rates, wait times and hospital-acquired infections.
- Improved financial management.
- A $26.2-million grant from the provincial Ministry of Health supports planning for a new state-of-the-art hospital in South Niagara and two Urgent Care Centres.
- The St. Catharines Site, which marked its first anniversary on March 24, 2014, has been an important catalyst in the transformation of hospital care in Niagara.
- New regional services, including cancer care, cardiac care and mental health, have improved patient care. For example, the Walker Family Cancer Centre at the St. Catharines Site has allowed more patients to receive radiation treatment closer to home in Niagara. Over the past year, the centre saw 5,200 patients and provided a total of 9,277 chemotherapy treatments and 7,606 radiation treatments.
- Thousands of Niagara eye patients received life-changing surgeries in the first full year of operation since ophthalmology services were brought together at the Welland Site.
Media contact: Steven Gallagher, Communications Specialist, 905-378-4647, ext. 43879;
email steven.gallagher@niagarahealth.on.ca
