Board Meeting Highlights
March 28, 2012 - Ottawa
Update
Eastern Ontario Regional Laboratory Association (EORLA) - Beginning April 1, 2012, urban and rural hospital laboratories in the Champlain region will be rolled into one organization called EORLA. The new entity represents the largest integration to date of clinical services in our region, and the most significant lab project in Ontario.
Randy Penney, EORLA’s Board Chair, spoke to LHIN Board members about the benefits of the change, including improved quality of care for patients receiving diagnostic tests, increased knowledge-sharing among lab employees, and achievable cost savings. The Champlain LHIN played a key role in the creation of EORLA by providing start-up funding and assisting with a third-party review of its business case. EORLA fits with the Champlain LHIN’s goal of building a more accountable and sustainable health system.
Dr. Wilbert Keon, Board Chair of the Champlain LHIN, called the initiative an “enormous accomplishment” and “a wonderful precedent for our community in terms of integration.” EORLA is a not-for-profit organization that conducts roughly 12 million diagnostic tests per year. On April 1, 2012, it will have an annual budget of $92 million and more than 800 employees working at 16 hospitals.
Decisions
Integrated Health Service Plan (IHSP) 2013-16 - Like all LHINs in Ontario, the Champlain LHIN will soon develop its three-year strategic plan outlining health-care priorities for the period 2013-16. The Integrated Health Service Plan is one of the LHIN’s most important documents, as it guides the organization’s work and determines where funding should be directed.
Board members heard about the required elements in the plan and the process for its completion. Because public input is a critical element, the Board agreed to appoint a Board member to participate on a Community Engagement Advisory Group. The Board will also undertake a review of the LHIN vision, mission and values.
Multi-Sector Service Accountability Agreement (M-SAA) – The LHIN Board of Directors approved an amended accountability agreement between the LHIN and Montfort Renaissance, a community-based mental health and addictions agency serving the Francophone population. An amendment was necessary as the organization is now merging with Horizons Renaissance, another mental-health agency serving Francophones. This integration was previously supported by the LHIN Board, and will help improve care for clients and families by facilitating access to a broad range of services and improving case management.
Hospital Services Accountability Agreements (H-SAA) – Agreements between the LHIN and the region’s 20 hospitals will be amended for 2012-13. However, since the current hospital agreements expire on March 31, 2012 and the 2012-13 amendments will not be finalized until June 30, 2012, the LHIN Board of Directors supported extending the current agreements for three months.