Main entrance to the Sydenham District Hospital. August 17, 2016. (Photo by Natalia Vega)Main entrance to the Sydenham District Hospital. August 17, 2016. (Photo by Natalia Vega)
Chatham

Hospital Boards Facing Uncertain Future

Board members for the Sydenham District Hospital (SDH) still aren't sure of how their role in governance may change once Ontario's Ministry of Health appoints a supervisor to oversee operations at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance.

On Wednesday, members of the SDH board went around the table saying how pleased they were with the investigator's report done by Bonnie Adamson.

Adamson had been appointed back in June to investigate CKHA governing operations.

Through her findings, Adamson has recommended that the Ministry of Health appoint a hospital supervisor to oversee governance throughout the CKHA boards.

Board Chair of SDH Sheldon Parsons says he is pleased by what the investigator filed in the report. He also appreciates that the report recognizes the SDH holds great importance to the community.

Parsons says the board members at SDH are more than willing to work with the supervisor any way they can.

"We are pleased to see the direction that the Minister has taken, we fully support the appointment of a supervisor," says Parsons. "It seems to be the only way that we can move forward and make sure that health care in our communities are not jeopardized any further than they already have been."

Once a supervisor is appointed, he/she will decide how involved the board will remain in hospital matters.

"We have no idea whether the supervisor will look to us for support and assistance ," says Parsons. "We hope he/she does because we've got a lot to offer."

Parsons says the earliest a supervisor can be appointed is August 25, 2016.

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