BY RICK PUSIAK
There was no word at press time Thursday on the appointment of a supervisor to oversee completion of SudburyÂ?s super hospital Â? but speculation is a Toronto lawyer and former deputy minister of health has the job.
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The big rumour is Graham Scott will get the nod.
He is familiar with Sudbury and was in the city during the early phase of the local hospital restructuring process and finalized the articles of restructuring.
While there is no official confirmation yet, ScottÂ?s name is being bandied about in the provincial capital.
Sudbury MPP Rick Bartolucci wants a name soon and details of the personÂ?s mandate.
Â?You donÂ?t know what the terms of reference of the supervisor are going be, you donÂ?t know how heÂ?s going to structure his attendance in Sudbury, whether heÂ?s going to be here on a five day basisÂ?that does not lead to confidence in the (health-care) system.Â?
Two weeks ago the Ministry of Health informed Sudbury Regional Hospital that it recommended to cabinet a supervisor be appointed to oversee completion of the Sudbury facility.
There was reference to the possibility of an announcement in 14 days, but that deadline passed yesterday (Thursday).
Bartolucci thinks a news release will be issued sometime Monday between local hospital officials and provincial representatives.
Sudbury Regional Hospital CEO Vickie Kaminski, board chair Tom Querney, chief of staff Dr. David Boyle and vice-president of finance Ben Peterson will meet at 10 am with the co-chairs of a provincially appointed review committee.
Back in late November, the Eves government announced about $350 million in new funding to OntarioÂ?s hospital system.
The job of the review team is to provide advice to Health Minister Tony Clement on how to allocate those millions of dollars.
Another duty of the team is to help identify sound hospital business practices that can benefit all hospitals.
The Sudbury delegation has two hours to present its case for more money. Funding will be distributed to eligible hospitals over the coming months after their reviews are completed.
Bartolucci, meanwhile, said he will be writing a letter to the review committee members stating the Sudbury hospital cannot sustain further job reductions or service cutbacks.
Â?ThatÂ?s just not in the best interests of my communityÂ?s confidence in the health-care system or in the delivery of services,Â? said Bartolucci.
Â?Enough is enough. (The government) has $350 million to divvy up. The majority, the lionÂ?s share of that money, should be coming to Sudbury to meet the critical needs that we have at both the operating end of this and the provision of service end of it.Â?
The MPP noted not only are hospital management talking publicly about the need for more funds, but so are the doctors.
Bartolucci said the community needs to have its confidence restored in the system.
Â?The governmentÂ?should accept responsibility and say hereÂ?s how weÂ?re going fix it,Â? said the MPP.
Earlier this month the executive summary of an operational review of the hospital was released identifying problems including high physician turnover, concerns over the management of capital redevelopment and leadership and more than $13 million in identified operation savings Â?general efficiencies including items ranging from supplies to length of stay for patients.
Much construction still has to be done before SudburyÂ?s one-site hospital is completed.
The institution has been mired in accusations of cost overruns and the need for better management.
Information already released, however, indicates the final bill for a one site hospital is about $200 million over budget.
There was also a suggestion that two sites, the Laurentian and the Memorial be considered to save money.
The community has donated over $16 million through the Heart and Soul Campaign for the hospital project.
