Primary health care and preservation of senior long term care infrastructure were discussed when the Prairie North Regional Health Authority held regular monthly board meetings Dec. 19 in North Battleford and Nov. 28 in Lloydminster.
Maidstone and area residents will soon have improved access to primary health care services. Vice-president of Primary Health Care Glennys Uzelman told the board that effective Jan. 2, hours of operation of the Maidstone Primary Health Care (Medical) Clinic have expanded to serve patients an additional four hours per day Mondays through Thursdays, plus introduction of Saturday morning hours.
According to a press release, expanded, sustainable primary health care services are the base on which a Collaborative Emergency Center (CEC) will be established in Maidstone in the spring of 2013. This will mean the resumption of 24/7 emergency services in Maidstone, with overnight care being delivered by a registered nurse and paramedic on-site, supported by a physician available by phone. The Saskatchewan CEC model is being adapted from a successful program developed in Nova Scotia, according to the health region.
At the November meeting, Linda Graham made a presentation on behalf of Lloydminster's Concerned Citizens for Seniors' Care. Graham circulated an informational package and reviewed the details of the group's proposal to retain the two wings of the Dr. Cooke Extended Care Centre that were slated to be demolished. Graham noted the group feels there is much potential for the ongoing use of these wings and requested the region reconsider its plan.
Board Chair Bonnie O'Grady thanked Graham for the presentation and reiterated the board's commitment to ensuring high-quality seniors' care throughout the Region. She also noted Alberta's Minister of Health Fred Horne had announced a moratorium on the demolition of the two wings of pending further investigation.
PNHR reports the City of Meadow Lake and the RM of Meadow Lake will be unable to commit financially to the construction of the new Northlands Pioneer Lodge for at least two years. While this will delay construction, the region, in a press release, states it remains fully committed to the project and will continue planning, as well as begin fundraising efforts, in the interim.
The Meadow Lake and Area Community Health Advisory Network is holding a public health services informational meeting Feb. 4 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Jonas Samson Junior High School theatre. The new long-term care facility and its concept of care will be discussed that night.
Prairie North's Dental Health Educator Ashley White and Speech Language Pathologist Audrey Harder provided an in-depth review of their oral health program, which began in 2009 and includes education and training for staff in long-term care facilities. In an effort to achieve and maintain good oral health for Prairie North's long-term care residents, White and Harder recommended Prairie North:
secure contracted services of a dentist and/or dental team for PNHR long-term care facilities;
employ a full-time dental assistant/dental hygienist to provide education and assistance to long-term care staff; and
upgrade long-term care facilities to include dental suites or establish a permanent location for dental staff to work with portable dental equipment.
CEO David Fan reviewed the Executive Pay-for-Performance program introduced by the provincial Ministry of Health in 2010/11 and presented the 2012/13 targets and measures for board approval. He noted that currently he and the vice-presidents are paid 90 per cent of their annual base salary. Specific mandated targets must be met in order to earn back the 10 per cent base pay at risk, and if targets are exceeded there is potential to earn an additional 10 per cent of base pay. The board approved the 2012/13 targets.
Financial statements to the end of October 2012 show a deficit of $1.1 million. November 2012 financial statements were not available at the time of the December meeting and will be reported in January.
