Orangeville, ON, May 22, 2009 - In a recent provincial Hospital Report Card, prepared by Health System Performance Research Network, Headwaters ranked in the top 5 percent of provincial targets for 5 indicators and was within the provincial target for 45 out of 50 indicators.

The Hospital Report Card measures performance and quality improvement for Ontario hospitals, the report can be viewed at www.hospitalreport.ca.

Headwaters ranked above provincial targets in: lower readmission rates for specific surgical procedures, reduced length of stay for pneumonia patients, emergency patients were treated with courtesy and respect, performance management in Ambulatory Care, and standardized protocols used in the Emergency Department. The indicators are based on 2006/2007 data. The 2007/2008 data will be released in September 2009.

"We are publicizing this report because we want to provide our community with as much information as we can about their local hospital,” says Cholly Boland, President and CEO of Headwaters Health Care Centre.

Patient satisfaction feedback is an important indicator for hospitals. Headwaters regularly sends out patient satisfaction surveys to help identify opportunities for improving how the Hospital delivers its services. “Ultimately, patient feedback translates into better care. We want our patients to know we listen to them and to have confidence in their community hospital,” says Boland.

The Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) website, www.myhospitalcare.ca publishes the key indicators from the Hospital Report Card, as well as Emergency wait times and hospital infection rates.

The public is invited to provide comments and suggestions about hospital services. Please contact Cholly Boland, President and CEO, Headwaters Health Care Centre at 519-941-2702 ext. 2200.

About Headwaters Health Care Centre:
Headwaters Health Care Centre serves more than 110,000 residents in Caledon, Orangeville, Shelburne and Dufferin County. The hospital operates two sites – Headwaters Orangeville, a 108 bed acute care hospital and Headwaters Shelburne, a 33 bed chronic care hospital. Visit www.headwatershealth.ca.

- 30 -