An investigator will be evaluating and reporting on Chatham-Kent's three hospital boards for the Ministry of Health.
This comes as the Public General and St. Joseph's Hospital Boards expressed interest in disbanding the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance governing model, effectively separating themselves from the Sydenham District Hospital Board.
However, the ministry has denied the boards' application, saying it isn't going to happen "right now."
Following a recommendation from the Erie St. Clair LHIN, Bonnie Adamson has been appointed to investigate the CKHA`s current situation, and also the state of Chatham-Kent's two emergency rooms.
"[She'll be] listening, analyzing, and coming up with suggestions," says acting LHIN CEO Ralph Ganter. "But it'll be dependant on what her research shows, as well as the conversations she has."
Adamson enters the role after holding leadership positions with the London Health Science Centre (where she was CEO), as well as the Huron-Perth Hospital Partnership. She also chaired the Erie St. Clair LHIN's expert panel on Leamington obstetrics and birthing services.
During a Friday teleconference between the LHIN and members of the media, Ganter stressed Adamson wouldn't be assuming authority of the current hospital boards. But she will be generating a report of advice for the Ministry of Health, who could then take action.
"Anything is possible, but the really important point is she's an objective person who can look at this, and her recommendations would come from this objective lens," adds Ganter.
The timeline for the investigation, as well as any recommendations, will be figured out over the next few weeks.