Wait Time Reduced for Psychiatric In-patients
Headwaters Health Care Centre's Board of Directors approve 2010/2011 budget

Orangeville, ON, January 21, 2010 – At Headwaters Health Care Centre’s January Board of Directors meeting, the Board granted privileges to 10 physicians in the hospital’s Departments of Emergency Medicine, Medicine and Family Medicine. “These new physicians are committed to providing the highest level of clinical excellence to our patients and complement our team of physicians we have in place,” says Cholly Boland, President and CEO, Headwaters Health Care Centre.

The hospital reported its psychiatric patient referral agreement with William Osler Health Systems to provide inpatient psychiatric services is significantly reducing wait times. Previously patients had to wait, sometimes several days, until a bed could be found in another hospital with psychiatric units outside of the Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) catchment area. Under the new agreement, Headwaters patients can be transferred to a psychiatric bed at William Osler often within a few hours providing enhanced care for our patients.

After careful consideration, the Board of Directors voted to approve the budget which will involve relocating Shelburne’s complex continuing care beds to the hospital’s Orangeville site and closing 13 hospital beds to trim $1.8 million from its budget, in anticipation of a zero funding increase from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. The meeting was well attended by area residents, local government officials and members of Shelburne’s Auxiliary. The budget will be submitted to the Central West Local Health Integration Network for their review. Details of the changes will be announced in early February.

As part of the hospital’s commitment to fiduciary responsibility and transparency, the Board approved implementing a new procurement policy that will require the hospital to issue a request for quotes on purchases over $25,000 and will encourage multiple quotes on purchases valued at less than $25,000 estimated total value.

The Board of Directors is seeking applications for two vacant board positions. Those interested in applying should contact Donna Hyatt at 519.941.2410 ext. 2201 for more information. A professional accounting designation is a preferred skill set.

The Foundation announced it will kick off my.hospital@work the week of May 23-30, 2010. Businesses, schools and organizations interested in participated can contact Jennifer Shephard at 519.941.2410 ext. 2303. This year’s gala theme is Serengeti Sunset on May 1, 2010. Tickets will be available from the hospital’s Foundation office. A book launch and signing for best-selling author Tosca Reno’s newest book, “The Eat-Clean Diet Recharged: Lasting Fat Loss That’s Better Than Ever!”, will be held on Tuesday, February 16, 2010 at 7 pm at the Millcroft Inn. Tickets are $10 each and available at BookLore, Harmony Whole Foods Market and Headwaters Health Care Foundation.

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 74 bed acute care hospital and Headwaters Shelburne, a 26 bed complex continuing care hospital. Visit www.headwatershealth.ca.

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