CKHA board chair Greg Aarssen and CEO Lori Marshall announce a $2 million surplus for 2019. March 29, 2019. (Photo by Greg Higgins)CKHA board chair Greg Aarssen and CEO Lori Marshall announce a $2 million surplus for 2019. March 29, 2019. (Photo by Greg Higgins)
Chatham

CKHA doubles 2019 budget with surplus announcement

The Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) will put more money into this year's budget after announcing a $2 million surplus.

It will be the third year in a row the hospital will be in the black and the total keeps growing. The announcement was made at the board's regular informal leadership update Friday morning.

It was a message board chair Greg Aarssen was more than happy to relay to media personnel at the meeting.

"It is the result of good planning, good management, hard work, and also a certain dollop of luck," Aarssen said. "We made sure the board came together and understood what the fiscal house looked like and got to know each other and understand what our obligations are."

Aarssen added the budget was originally approved at $1.7 million for 2019 but will increase to $3.5 million by adding $1.8 million of the surplus. Lori Marshall, CEO of the CKHA, said the additional funds will go towards a wide variety of upgrades. The major ones she brought up were an investment in the urology department, upgrades to the mental health unit, and a "staff direst system."
"It would essentially be a personal alarm system in the hospital for our staff in the event that they need assistance," Marshall said. "It's a pretty significant investment that is required. It is not only a wireless environment that needs to be supported but also extends to every member of the organization."
She added upgrades to the mental health unit will be more about aesthetics. She said the plan is to make it more of a calming environment and that a fresh coat of paint can make a big difference.
The rest of the money will go towards general upkeep of equipment around the hospital, including includes replacing beds and IV pumps. The remaining $200,000 of the surplus will go into reserves.

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