Conversations wanted! New local speakers’ series launched to explore health care issues that affect our community
Northumberland Hills Hospital has teamed up with the volunteers in the NHH Foundation’s Caring for Generations Society to offer a new speakers’ series aimed at encouraging discussion around issues pertinent to local health care.
Titled Conversations - Exploring health care issues that affect our community, the first cycle of speakers in the series will focus on the theme of health system sustainability, addressing such issues as provincial health policy, the impact of our ageing population and hospital governance. Launching on Thursday, February 24th at Cobourg’s Victoria Hall, the inaugural session will feature a talk and question-and-answer period with Dr. Carolyn Hughes Tuohy, one of Canada’s leading experts on health care policy.
A Professor Emeritus of Political Science and Senior Fellow in the School of Public Policy and Governance at the University of Toronto, Dr. Tuohy contributed to the May 2010 TD Economics report Charting a Path to Sustainable Health Care in Ontario, considered by many to be one of the most significant reports issued in Ontario in recent years on possible options to sustain our system.
Sharing her own perspective gleaned from her research and teaching interests in comparative public policy, Dr. Tuohy will speak to the TD Report’s 10 recommendations, outlining the points on which she agrees, where her views differ and other issues she recommends Ontario consider as we move forward.
Occurring monthly from February through May, with more events being planned for the fall, Conversations will be offered at locations in both Cobourg and Port Hope.
The second speaker in the introductory series is Dr. Katherine McGilton, a Senior Scientist at Toronto Rehab, and an expert in the field of geriatrics, particularly as it relates to nursing care and the impact the nurse/patient relationship has on quality of life for seniors. A former Career Scientist with the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, Dr. McGilton holds cross appointments as an Associate Professor at the Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing and the Graduate Department of Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Toronto. Dr. McGilton, who holds a PhD in Nursing from the University of Toronto, will speak in Port Hope, on Tuesday, March 22nd.
National public health reporter André Picard will take the podium at Port Hope’s historic Capital Theatre on Wednesday, April 27th. A staffer with The Globe and Mail since 1987, Mr. Picard is the author of numerous best-selling books and in-depth newspaper reports on such issues as tainted blood, the changing role of Canada’s health professionals, and dementia. The breadth and depth of Mr. Picard’s work will be recognized with a Hyman Solomon Award from the Canadian think-tank the Public Policy Forum this spring. The Award recognizes his unique contribution to public health policy in Canada. He will speak on the future of health care in Ontario.
On Tuesday, May 10th, consultants Graham Scott and Maureen Quigley will share the stage in the Grand Ballroom at Cobourg’s Best Western for a very timely discussion on changes affecting hospital governance in the province. They will explore the new legislation driving this change, the ever-increasing public expectations for improved quality and access to care, and the need for innovative solutions to ensure long-term sustainability of the system. The responsibilities of hospital boards in Ontario will be discussed, including oversight responsibilities to ensure quality patient care, fiscal accountability and local health system integration.
All events will begin promptly at 7:00 PM and tickets are priced individually at $10 in advance, or $15 at the door, for each speaker. Space is limited, so it is recommended that tickets be purchased in advance of all events. To purchase tickets online go to the Hospital website at www.nhh.ca; to purchase in person, please drop in to the Foundation office inside the Hospital’s main entrance at 1000 DePalma Drive, Cobourg or contact the Foundation office at 905-372-6811, ext. 3066. The Foundation’s hours of operation are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday.
John Hudson, Chair of the Northumberland Hills Hospital Board of Directors, notes: “As outlined in our new Strategic Plan, the building of collaborative networks is an important direction for NHH. The NHH Board is very committed to fully engaging our community and partners. The new Conversation speaker series is one way for us to do that and we are hopeful that it will open new channels for discussions on subjects that impact us all. Collectively, we must be informed and prepared in order to meet our community’s changing health care needs and ensure the long-term sustainability of the broader health care system.”
“The Foundation’s Caring for Generations Society has organized many informative lectures for our donors in the past,” adds Jan Boycott, Chair of the NHH Foundation, “and we hope Conversations will expand our audience to anyone who wishes to learn more about health system issues that affect our community. Donors and community members alike have indicated a strong interest in talks that span a variety of health care issues: we listened, and we hope you will join us for these exciting events.”
Gratitude is extended by the host organizations to several sponsors who are lending their support for this new initiative. Thanks go out to the teams at Classical 103.1 FM, 107.9 The Breeze and Star 93.3 for their assistance in promoting the event, and to Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt for their generous support. Additional sponsors are welcome for all events.
For more information please go to www.nhh.ca or contact Jennifer Gillard at 905-377-7757 or jgillard@nhh.ca or Rhonda Cunningham at 905-377-7767 or rcunningham@nhh.ca
About Northumberland Hills Hospital – The Northumberland Hills Hospital (NHH) is located approximately 100 kilometres east of Toronto. The acute care hospital delivers a broad range of services, including emergency and intensive care, medical/surgical care, complex/long-term care, rehabilitation, palliative care and obstetrical care. A variety of ambulatory care clinics are also offered at NHH. In addition to these, NHH also sponsors a Community Mental Health Centre and an Assertive Community Treatment Team. The hospital serves the catchment area of west Northumberland County. A mixed urban and rural population of approximately 60,000 residents, west Northumberland comprises the Town of Cobourg, the Municipality of Port Hope and the townships of Hamilton, Cramahe and Alnwick/Haldimand. NHH employs close to 600 people and relies on the additional support provided by physicians and volunteers. NHH is an active member of the Central East LHIN. For more information, please visit www.nhh.ca.
About the Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation – The Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation is a dedicated team of enthusiastic volunteers and staff passionately committed to raising the funds necessary to support the Northumberland Hills Hospital’s capital equipment needs. By growing and sustaining donor support, the NHH Foundation helps to improve health care and the quality of life in west Northumberland. For more information please visit the Foundation section of the Northumberland Hills Hospital Web site at: www.nhh.ca.