Western Health recently has been successful in recruiting additional health professionals for its surgical program. Those professionals will be in place in the fall and include an anesthetist, and an obstetrician/gynecologist for Sir Thomas Roddick Hospital, a urologist and two anesthetists for Western Memorial Regional Hospital as well as additional nursing staff for both sites.
Western Health recently has been successful in recruiting additional health professionals for its surgical program. Those professionals will be in place in the fall and include an anesthetist, and an obstetrician/gynecologist for Sir Thomas Roddick Hospital, a urologist and two anesthetists for Western Memorial Regional Hospital as well as additional nursing staff for both sites. “We look forward to our new recruits joining our staff later this fall,” said Dr. Ken Jenkins, Vice President of Medical Services for Western Health. “This additional staff will help support Western Health’s goal of delivering quality surgical services for the people of the Western Region.”
Western Health has faced significant challenges with recruitment and retention of health care providers within our surgical program including nurses, surgeons and anesthetists. This has at times resulted in a reduced capacity in our operating rooms at both hospitals.
Western Health believes that successful recruitment and retention is supported by a quality surgical program. This program includes:
- Case reviews by our surgical team including unexpected patient outcomes;
- Monitoring of infection rates; and
- Responding to care concerns from patients, families, and health professionals.
Over the past year, Western Health has conducted internal and external quality reviews of certain aspects of its surgical program including a chart review of selected cases from 2005 – 2006. We have shared the results of these reviews with health care providers, patients and their families.
“As a surgeon, reviewing our practice, looking for new surgical techniques and new equipment provides opportunities for continued professional growth,” said Dr. Chris van Niekerk, Chief of Surgery for Western Health.
Western Health has also formed a Surgical Services Working Group. This is a joint initiative involving physician and nursing leadership and Senior Management. This group has been assigned the task of ensuring quality and accessible surgical services by making the best use of all resources and hospitals within the region.
The Working Group has been given a mandate by the Chief Executive Officer to make recommendations regarding the types of surgical procedures to be provided in the region and the supports needed for those services.
“We are in the process of identifying best practice as it relates to the surgical program,” said Dr. Jenkins. “We are using what we learned from the case reviews to improve quality within Western Health and to support recruitment and retention of our valued health professionals.
Our planned approach to developing surgical services is intended to create an environment in which health professionals will come to Western Health to work and stay.
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For more information,
Please contact:
Heidi Staeben-Simmons
709-637-5252/709-637-5000 ext 6419
heidistaebensimmons@westernhealth.nl.ca
