A group of Renfrew Victoria Hospital donors wants officials there to know that an ongoing provincial investigation has not lessened its commitment to the facility and the excellent work being done there.
Prior to the recent RVH Foundation Board annual general meeting, My Broadcasting President Jon Pole addressed the board, offering words of support and posing several questions on behalf of a group of donors.
In June, the Ministry of Health announced it had appointed a provincial supervisor to address concerns regarding hospital governance and management practices that were found during a review conducted by Ontario Health and an independent third party.
Pole, who said he has been a donor and supporter of RVH for 20 years, along with he and his family being provided excellent care over the years, said he understands the Ministry of Health’s position and has no issue with any problems being fixed but that there is collateral damage from the way the situation has been handled.
“I have a very hard time as a taxpayer understanding how the Ministry of Health gets quarterly reports and has a big banner on the outside of our building saying we’re accredited by a group that comes in and accredits our practices and governance and we pass all that and then all of a sudden says wait a minute, we have a problem,” he said.
He told the board members that he understands hospital officials’ hands are somewhat tied in terms of information they can provide but that ultimately common sense will dictate that the public interest is being served at the hospital.
“Maybe boxes weren’t being checked along the way the way the government likes them, fair enough, don’t know,” said Pole.
He asked for clarification regarding the foundation’s role.
Foundation executive director Patti Dillabough explained that the foundation is the charitable arm of the hospital.
“So, we take in donor dollars and then annually the hospital will come forward to us and ask for a transfer of dollars to the hospital for capital equipment,” she said, noting the funds are for specific equipment.
A former board member of a health-care organization, Pole said he has learned that health care is “completely complicated.”
“It is emotional, it is people’s health, it is big money, it is pharma, it is unions, it is doctors, and I don’t know how anyone can keep anything straight because it’s complicated,” he said.
But ultimately, he wants to help restore and maintain confidence in what the board, staff and executive do because he doesn’t feel they’ve been given a fair shake.
He asked about RVH’s reputation amongst its peers.
“We’re envied I think because of the health village scenario we have with all the facilities and everything right on the same campus,” said Dillabough. “We have a very great reputation for the staff, such positive comments back on the care that people receive.”
Neil McAskill, a director on the foundation board, is retired from a role in emergency health services and said RVH stands out from the others.
“I was the liaison between ambulance, police, fire and the hospital emergency departments, so I spent a lot of time in all of our six hospitals,” said McAskill. “RVH is head and shoulders above the rest. This is the jewel in the crown of the Ottawa Valley, of hospitals.”
Pole asked about the impact of the investigation.
“The supervisor has assured us that it won’t affect future projects, but I think it’s going to affect our ability to fundraise,” said foundation board president Kim Sterling, adding she believes it is also going to be a detriment to the hospital’s reputation that may take decades to get back.
Pole said he believes there’s some kind of politics at play with the investigation, though he doesn’t understand what it is, and that he doesn’t want to see the hospital used as a scapegoat.
He offered reassurance.
“On behalf of the donors I’ve talked to and that I’m representing today, and I would say this personally, I would like to give you guys my assurance that my commitment won’t change,” said Pole.
Dillabough was joined by several members of the board in thanking Pole for the support during what has been a difficult time.
Provincial supervisory appointee Altaf Stationwala is providing the Ministry of Health and Ontario Health with regular updates on his work and is expected to submit a final report that the government says will help strengthen and improve the hospital’s governance, accountability, finances, and ability to deliver the best possible care to patients and their families.
(Written by Sherry Haaima)