QHC takes big step with four hospitals

QUINTE Healthcare board took one giant step forward in improving relationships with stakeholders at the annual general meeting  June 28.
In 1998 when the four hospitals – Belleville General, Trenton Memorial, North Hastings and Prince Edward County Memorial – amalgamated under one umbrella QHC their names were changed from hospitals to sites. This was the” brainchild” of healthcare consultant and provincial supervisor Graham Scott. The word “site” was never accepted by the smaller hospitals and in actual fact never used. I commend the QHC board for realizing how important these historical names are to their communities. Stakeholders and staff at the smaller hospitals felt that because QHC was headquartered at Belleville General the outlying hospitals played a much smaller role and were dominated by the “Mother Ship” (Belleville). Chair Brian Smith, in his report at the AGM, made it clear that there are four vibrant hospitals and they are here to stay. The signage at all four hospitals will gradually be changed.

QHC ended the fiscal 2010-11 with a surplus of $1.37 million. The hiring of a new chief of staff to replace retiring Dr. Mohamed Gaber could be announced within a week. The four Foundations collectively donated $6 million to QHC for much needed equipment, etc.

It is clearly evident that the board and senior administration have listened to their stakeholders during the strategic planning meetings that took place in the respective communities. QHC will now be known as one system operating four hospitals (not sites). These historical names of the four hospitals have been in existence anywhere from 60-125 years. We unfortunately lost them for 13 years (1998-2011). It’s nice to be back where we belong!

Fran Renoy