MINUTES True North Health Advisory Council Wednesday, February 15, 2017 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. St. Theresa General Hospital Fort Vermilion, AB Council Members: Alberta Health Services: Public: Regrets: Michael Osborn (Chair), Eric Jorgensen (Vice Chair), Rick Cartier, Joyce Fehr, Dan Fletcher, Noreen McAteer, Wally Schroeder Dr. Heinrich Brussow, Angie Mann, Debra Morrison, Mary Mueller Three Gord Burnell, Gary Callihoo, Wilma Cardinal, Mary Janzen, Liane Mercredi, Wendy Ward Agenda Item Discussion Action Welcome and Introductions The meeting was called to order at 5:33 p.m. Introductions were made. 1. Approval of Agenda Moved by Noreen McAteer that the agenda be approved with the addition of 4.7 St. Theresa General Hospital beds, and 4.7 become 4.8. MOTION CARRIED. 2. Approval of Minutes Moved by Joyce Fehr that the minutes of Wednesday, June 1, 2016 be approved. MOTION CARRIED. Moved by Wally Schroeder that the minutes of Wednesday, November 23, 2016 be approved. MOTION CARRIED. 3. Old Business 3.1. Business Arising from January 27, 2016 Ms. Mary Mueller, Advisory Council Officer The following items were addressed: Mary to circulate June 1, 2016 minutes for approval at January meeting. Complete. Minutes of June 1, 2016 to be presented for approval at the January 18, 2017 meeting. Complete. Request birth statistics for the La Crete area for the past two years. Outstanding. Request birth statistics for the La Crete area for the past two years.
Health promotion position. Outstanding. Merck for Mothers is a new program and a regular report from the program will be requested by Angie Mann. Complete. Develop an issue paper regarding staffing challenges in the area and the lengthy approval process. Complete. Council chose to add this item to the workplan. Send special thanks to Harvey Matthews and staff for maintenance at the area facilities. Outstanding. Request data for the number of computed tomography (CT) scans and ultrasounds performed locally and exported to other sites. Complete. Health promotion position. Send special thanks to Harvey Matthews and staff for maintenance at the area facilities. 4. New Business 4.1. North Zone Update, Debra Morrison, Director, Addiction and Mental Health, North Zone 4.2. Local Update, Angie Mann, Director, Clinical Operations, North Zone Debra spoke about the 2016/17 Influenza Immunization Program in the North Zone. She provided data for the number of individuals immunized in the communities in the council area. Council advised Debra that the addiction and mental health community meetings are being well received in the council area. Council thanked Debra for her support and approval of the meetings. Angie provided information about many topics, some of which are highlighted below: Workforce News Wound care resource team is very successful. They look forward to developing a palliative care resource team. She would like to see a palliative care society developed for this area. Accreditation progress is every good as staff are moving forward and preparing for all of the standards. Leadership Safety Rounds are working well. Peri-operative programs five LPNs are trained and certified and two additional LPNs are currently in training. Flash Rounds are being held by staff at La Crete Long Term Care to enhance communication and problem solving for residents with complex needs. A new Continuing Care Coordinator has been hired for Fort Vermilion. Nursing position they continue to have vacant nursing positions in all three major communities. 2 P a g e
Cultural Sensitivity Training a working group has been established to work on implementation in 2017. Capital Projects La Crete Advanced Ambulatory Care Centre is receiving a privacy wall, paint and shelving. Mental health the local Mental Health Manager is working with stakeholders to increase availability of Telehealth services to First Nations residents Major Initiatives Merck for Mothers initiative AHS is partnering with Merck Canada and Alberta Innovates to improve access to high quality care for aboriginal mothers in Maskwacis, Little Red River Cree Nation and inner-city Edmonton. Northwest Health Foundation held successful fundraising in November and sleeper chairs have been provided for facilities in the council area Specialty clinic A telehealth clinic focusing on Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) takes place at Northwest Health Centre in High Level White boards have been put up in patient/resident rooms at the facilities in the High Level, Fort Vermilion and La Crete. They are important communication tools. Allied Health team A physical therapist in High Level has started a walking group and averages of 38-100 people attend. Staff is walking and volunteers are going to be involved. 4.3. Chairs Update Mr. Mike Osborn, Chair True North HAC 4.4. Physician Recruitment Report Susan Smith, Physician Resource Planner, North Zone Mr. Osborn reported that he attended a Council of Chairs meeting on December 14 th in Edmonton. He also reported he received a verbal resignation from Gary Callihoo. Susan Smith advised they are recruiting for the following positions: Two Family Medicine physicians to Fort Vermilion One family medicine physician to La Crete There is interest in Fort Vermilion. They have recruited a family medicine physician with anesthesia skills for High Level and should be in place by summer. Two medical students will be in High Level and stay for nine months. Resident doctors will visit each of the other sites one day per week. Officer to follow up to acquire written letter of resignation from Gary Callihoo. 3 P a g e
Question and Answer Is there a Chief of Staff for Fort Vermilion? A permanent doctor is required to be a Chief of Staff. 4.5. Advisory Council Officer Update Ms. Mary Mueller, Advisory Council Officer 4.6. Council Roundtable and Community Input Ms. Mueller provided the following information: Chair and Vice Chair elections will be held at the March meeting. Budget status, workplan measurement and good news stories will all be added to agendas going forward. The Advisory Councils handbook should be out in February. Council should take a new group photo at the March meeting. Members were reminded of the attendance bylaw. Moved by Noreen McAteer approve the new meeting dates for the True North Health Advisory Council for 2017/2018. MOTION CARRIED. Council roundtable was held as follows: Joyce Fehr thanked AHS for addressing the privacy issue in the Urgent Care Clinic in La Crete. The lack of back-up power to the morgue was an issue recently as bodies had to be moved into the garage to keep them cool. Angie advised they have submitted a request for back-up power. Noreen McAteer advised the following: she has been appointed to the Wisdom Council, there is a meeting on February 21 in Fort Vermilion about the concern with the reduction of services and staffing in the hospital, The process to approve new hires is too lengthy and due to the lengthy process, homegrown LPNs are leaving, and The long term care rooms at St. Theresa s General Hospital in Fort Vermilion are converted acute care rooms and they need upgrades. Angie Mann agreed and funding has been requested. The St. Theresa Auxiliary has offered to buy an I-stat machine to measure oxygen in the blood. Angie Mann advised that the physicians, Dynalife and staff need to determine the needs for the I-stat machine. They will ensure the Auxiliary gets a written quote on the machine and the supplies associated with it. The Auxiliary would also like to purchase needed items for the pediatric ward. Post 2017/2018 meeting dates to the AHS website. 4 P a g e
Dan Fletcher advised that members of EMS and Victim Services group attended the Addiction and Mental Health session in Rainbow Lake. Rick Cartier advised the Addiction and Mental Health meeting in Rainbow Lake with Gerry was very good. Eric Jorgensen advised the Addiction and Mental Health information session held in Fort Vermilion was great as there was dialogue for two hours. The addition of walk-in clinics is good. Community Input Two members of the public from La Crete were in attendance. They are concerned with the reduction of staff at the La Crete Continuing Care Centre with changes due to the Patient Care Based Funding model. They worry staff may get very tired and strained and quality care may be reduced. Angie Mann advised that all long term care facilities in Alberta are now funded through this provincial funding model. She has received a number of concerns and is working with the Seniors team to answer them. Citizens with concerns are asked to go directly to the site manager. Concerns are documented and followed up by management. Staff can bring forth concerns to their union. North Zone Executive Leadership was in La Crete on January 24 to meet with staff in Fort Vermilion and continuing care families in La Crete. Personal Care Aide hours will be reduced by 23 hours in La Crete. Four of the Health Care Aides are going to Grimshaw to work with their staff to see the changes that can be made with the scheduling of duties. Council would like to be involved when the North Zone Executive Leadership visits the area. Angie Mann will send information to Mary to circulate to the council and pathways for staff to identify risk. Council asked about the addition of home care positions announced in August. The extra funding for RNs is on hold until April. Angie Mann to send information about La Crete to council. 6. Date of Next Meeting Date: Wednesday, March 22, 2017 Time: 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Location: La Crete Continuing Care Centre, La Crete, AB 7. Meeting Evaluation and Adjournment Moved by Mr. Jorgensen for the meeting to adjourn at 7:00 p.m. *Please note that these minutes are in DRAFT form and are subject to change and approval at the Wednesday, March 22, 2017 council meeting. 5 P a g e