Better response to ‘emerging issues’ aim for Oakville, Milton, Halton Hills healthcare unit

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Published July 7, 2022 at 5:38 pm

Halton Healthcare released its 2021/22 Annual Report on Thursday. FACEBOOK PHOTO

Halton Healthcare facilities in Oakville, Milton and Halton Hills have learned a great deal from dealing with COVID-19, but the pandemic has especially amplified the “urgent need” for redevelopment of its facilities.

That’s part of the message relayed by leaders of the local healthcare organization in the release of its 2021/22 Annual Report on Thursday.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged the entire healthcare system and providers in ways we could not have imagined,” said the message written by the leadership team of Richard Nunn, Chair, Board of Directors, Denise Hardenne, President & CEO, and Dr. David McConachie, Chief of Staff.

“Despite the challenges we face, every individual at Halton Healthcare continues to go above and beyond in providing safe, quality care to our patients, families and communities.”

Still, the health organization admits more needs to be done.

“Responding to the pandemic has underscored and amplified the urgent need for redevelopment of our facilities to ensure we are better prepared to respond to emerging issues, including infectious diseases, such as COVID-19,” the three leaders said in the message.

On that part, they continue to push forward.

“We continue to pursue the Georgetown Hospital redevelopment and approval to fit out the shelled in space at Milton District Hospital and Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital,” the message continued. “We are also preparing a Master Planning document for our Cancer Program to align with the projected clinical program service requirements needed to fully support our community.”

Last fall, Halton Healthcare launched its new Strategic Plan focusing on four specific priorities – Connect, Advance, Respond and Engage.

The organization says its new strategic plan identifies, as a priority, the need to continue to advance how they deliver care by achieving the next digital horizon in care delivery.

“After years of thoughtful preparation, we successfully launched our new electronic health information system,” the hospital leaders said in the message. “With the foundational pieces in place, planning work has begun on the development of our new Information Communication and Technology (ICT) Roadmap which will leverage and optimize Halton Healthcare’s existing ICT assets and exploring new innovations.”

The health unit says in the year ahead it will further its work in the area of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and launch its new Leadership Development Program.

“Now, more than ever, it’s important to pause and reflect on what our healthcare teams have accomplished, despite the many challenges they face every day,” said the organization. “We are so proud of the way our organization continues to respond to the pandemic, always living our values of compassion, accountability and respect.

“With that in mind, we acknowledge the challenges our healthcare team have faced, both personally and professionally, throughout the pandemic and are focused on providing supports to help them recover and re-energize.”

 

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