Peer review leader will tackle hospital's finances

Murray Martin will be responsible for helping the hospital to get its finances back in order, among other duties, according to the terms of reference for a peer review of Health Sciences North. 

The North East Local Health Integration Network (North East LHIN) announced last month it was ordering a peer review of Health Sciences North. Martin, the president and CEO of Hamilton Health Sciences, was appointed to lead the peer review.

Although Northern Life was provided with a copy of the terms of reference, neither Martin nor North East LHIN CEO Louise Paquette will be speaking to the media about the document.

That's because Martin has some tight deadlines to meet, and Paquette wants to “respect the process and allow Mr. Martin the time and space he needs to conduct the peer review,” North East LHIN spokesperson Lara Bradley said in an email.

The terms of reference say Martin must provide a draft report of his findings and recommendations to Paquette no later than Sept. 14, and then present a final report by Oct. 1.

This report will be made available to the public, Bradley said.

The terms of reference say Martin will be responsible for assessing the feasibility of a hospital improvement plan developed in March, which would see the hospital achieve a balanced budget this September.

Martin will also assess the “readiness and capacity” of hospital management to implement the hospital improvement plan and account for its results, as well as hospital governance's ability to hold management and medical staff accountable for the implementation of the plan.

He'll also assess the long-term financial plan that will enable Health Sciences North to maintain an operating surplus in future years.

The terms of reference also make Martin responsible for reviewing several other aspects of the hospital's operations.

He'll review the emergency department process improvement project to determine whether all of the recommendations have been implemented and sustained. Martin has been directed to pay special attention to patient flow and admission processes for mental health patients.

Presumably relating to the hospital's ALC patient crisis, the review will focus on the flow of patients in the hospital, including looking at bed utilization and discharge planning.

Martin will review the hospital's post-construction operating plan reconciliation to determine its impact upon operations.

He'll also assess the feasibility of the business case for the Sudbury Outpatient Centre. North East LHIN officials have recently expressed concern that the facility caused Health Sciences North to run a deficit during the 2011-2012 financial year.

Martin will also look at Health Sciences North's long-term capital and program plans to ensure they align with Ontario's Action Plan for Health Care, the priorities of the North East LHIN, as well as population needs.

He'll review the relationship between the hospital and its stakeholders.

This means internal stakeholders such as administration, the board, physicians and staff, and external stakeholders such as the North East LHIN, St. Joseph's Continuing Care Centre, the community sector and other hospitals in the region.

Posted by Arron Pickard