County of Simcoe supports local healthcare at GBGH

 Representatives from the County of Simcoe and Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) gathered at the hospital to see one of the X-ray rooms which will be renovated, in part due to Simcoe County Hospital Alliance funds. From left – Jane Sinclair, General Manager of Health and Emergency Services, County of Simcoe; Warden George Cornell, County of Simcoe; Matthew Lawson, president and CEO; Victoria Ansell, x-ray technologist, GBGH; and Angie Saini, vice president, Clinical Services and chief nursing executive.

September 15, 2022 – Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) is receiving $1 million from the County of Simcoe to support local healthcare in the Midland, Penetanguishene, Tiny Township, Tay Township, Georgian Bay Township, Springwater Township and Beausoleil First Nation area. GBGH has chosen to utilize the majority of funds for the recent site construction and relocation of Dialysis services from Penetanguishene to a bright and modern new community location in Midland. Additionally, the hospital is utilizing funds for the latest stage in the redevelopment of its device sterilization department and the renovation of two X-ray rooms.

These funds are part of the $3.16 million the County of Simcoe pledged to GBGH for use over 15 years. This will be the second installment of funds the hospital has used from this commitment first made by the County to GBGH in 2017. This latest use of funds leaves a remaining balance of more than $1.25 million to be used at the hospital’s discretion until 2031. In 2020, GBGH used approximately $900,000 of this funding toward the redevelopment of its device sterilization department and paying the remaining balance on its new computerized tomography (CT scanner).

“The support our hospital has received from the County of Simcoe, and the municipalities which make up the County, has been so impactful for our hospital and what we’re able to provide to patients,” says Matthew Lawson, president and CEO, GBGH. “Earlier this year, we were able to relocate the Dialysis services provided to our community, to a bright new modern space which has vastly improved the patient experience. Also, continuing to redevelop our sterilization department means we have the latest facility upgrades to ensure equipment and device safety. Long overdue renovations to our X-ray rooms also enable GBGH to continue providing service of the highest quality.”

This is part of the County’s $45 million commitment to the Simcoe County Hospital Alliance between 2017 and 2031. The Alliance is made up of hospitals inside our region and one which cares for County residents – GBGH, Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (Barrie), Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital, Collingwood General & Marine Hospital, Stevenson Memorial Hospital (Alliston), Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care (Penetanguishene) and Southlake Regional Health Centre (Newmarket). It was established in 2002 to advise the County of Simcoe of ongoing hospital capital needs and ensure equitable distribution of the County’s healthcare funding. Since 1994, the County of Simcoe has committed $107 million to improve local hospital care and specialized services.

“County Council is incredibly proud of the care that is provided to our residents by our hospitals,” said County of Simcoe Warden George Cornell. “We know the importance of having world-class health-care facilities such as Georgian Bay General Hospital so close to home for those that we serve. From supporting with new requirements related to the pandemic, to assisting with the acquisition of latest medical technology, to supporting renovations and expansions, the County is committed to supporting our area hospitals and the communities we serve.”

GBGH announces new president and CEO

Matthew Lawson, president and CEO, Georgian Bay General Hospital

September 12, 2022 – The Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) Board of Directors has appointed Matthew Lawson as the president and CEO of the organization, effective immediately, after a comprehensive national executive search during the summer. Lawson has served in the interim role since June 24, following the resignation of past president and CEO Gail Hunt. Prior to being the CEO, Lawson was the hospital’s executive vice president and chief financial officer.

“Having already been part of the GBGH team, this organization and the Board have been fortunate to experience Matthew’s energy and expertise for some time now,” says Tim Kastelic, chair, GBGH Board of Directors. “We have consistently been impressed by his strategic insights, as well as his commitment to GBGH’s people – including not just the community we serve, but also the team members who work, practice and volunteer at the hospital. Matthew has transformed many aspects of the hospital through his past contributions and we look forward to his many future successes at GBGH.”

Since joining the organization in June 2021, Lawson has proven himself to be a highly skilled financial expert, an effective and approachable leader, a champion of patient-centred care, and a tenacious advocate for the hospital.

“When I first joined GBGH last year, I was instantly inspired by the organization’s culture and energized by the future prospects of this hospital,” says Lawson. “Although we’ve seen some challenging times related to the pandemic and staffing in recent years, hospitals will always face some adversity. Regardless, I am committed to advancing the strategic goals and priorities of GBGH as we continue to foster a patient-centric approach in everything we do. More specifically, our goals include the growth and alignment of services with community needs, including securing approval for an MRI, expanding clinical programs such as surgery and pushing ahead with approvals for an acute mental health program.”

Given the current human resources challenges across the health sector, Lawson is also prioritizing engagement with the GBGH team and making this hospital a sought-after workplace for talented healthcare professionals.

Lawson is a chartered professional accountant (CPA) and certified management accountant (CMA). He also holds an Honours Bachelor of Business Administration, a Masters in Health Administration and is a certified health executive with the Canadian College of Health Leaders.

Prior to joining GBGH as EVP and eventually becoming interim president and CEO, Lawson was the chief performance officer at Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH) in Barrie. In this role, he was responsible for a variety of financial, administrative and support service functions. While at RVH for more than a decade, Lawson led teams on both corporate and clinical sides of the organization, gaining a valuable understanding of the many aspects involved in hospital operations.

Contact:

Jennifer Moore

Director, Communications & Stakeholder Relations

Georgian Bay General Hospital

705-526-1300 ext 5177

moorejen@gbgh.on.ca

GBGH declares COVID-19 outbreak on 1 North inpatient unit

August 31, 2022 – An outbreak of COVID-19 has been declared on the 1 North Complex Continuing Care and Rehabilitation unit at Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH), in collaboration with the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit. The outbreak includes three patients who contracted COVID-19 while receiving care at the hospital. Enhanced cleaning and other infection prevention and control measures – including increased testing of patients and staff – are in place. Visitation to the unit is limited to essential caregivers only and the unit is closed to admissions at this time.

Contact:
Jennifer Moore
Director, Communications & Stakeholder Relations
Georgian Bay General Hospital
705-526-1300 ext 5177
moorejen@gbgh.on.ca

Local hospitals launch new patient portal

Stacey LePage, Patient, Family and Caregiver working group member, reviews her upcoming appointment information on the new my health care patient portal available to all who receive care at Collingwood General and Marine Hospital (CGMH – Collingwood), Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH – Midland), Headwaters Health Care Centre (HHCC – Orangeville) and Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH – Barrie).

Four local hospitals have launched a new patient portal, aptly named my health care, allowing patients to become more actively engaged in their own healthcare journey.

Patients who receive care at Collingwood General and Marine Hospital (CGMH – Collingwood), Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH – Midland), Headwaters Health Care Centre (HHCC – Orangeville) and Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH – Barrie) now have direct access through the portal to their hospital medical information, including test results, medication history and scheduled appointments.

“The portal makes my own healthcare journey accessible to me,” says Stacey LePage, patient, family and caregiver portal working group member. “It puts my personal care information at my fingertips which in turn makes me more confident in navigating a system that I am not familiar with. I feel empowered having the tools to be an active participant in my care.”

The portal, which can be accessed at any time through any device, allows patients to easily share their information with family members, caregivers or other members of their care circle at their discretion. After being signed-off by the physician, most information is immediately available, though medical imaging and pathology reports will take 14 days to appear in the patient’s portal.

“Now that I am re-entering treatment, I am looking forward to having the ability to view and review the notes and my prognosis from my home where I am able to process information at my own pace and at a time that works for me,” says LePage.

Patients can provide their email address to the hospital while registering for an appointment or procedure or by emailing portalsupport@myhealthcareportal.ca to view their health information obtained from all four hospitals from April 1, 2022, onward. Visit history prior to April 1 is viewable, but health information regarding these visits is only accessible through the treating hospitals’ Health Records department.

“No matter where you receive care across our four hospitals, your information will be added to a secure, electronic file that allows your care team to have immediate access to vital information while providing you with access to your own health information,” says Dave Brewin, regional chief information officer.

The addition of the patient portal was made possible by a large-scale health information system transformation among the four hospitals in September 2021. The partner hospitals implemented MEDITECH Expanse, which has created one shared electronic medical record across all four organizations. The system enables a more seamless flow of information from department to department and hospital to hospital.

“COVID-19 has placed technology under a microscope, magnifying the need to ensure modern technology systems are in place,” says Brewin. “Implementing MEDITECH Expanse allowed our hospitals to move to a one patient, one record approach – a big win for the communities we collectively serve.”

GBGH exploring innovative ways to bring appropriate care to the community with Rocket Doctor

June 29, 2022 – Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) has partnered with Rocket Doctor to trial a new service giving patients an alternative option to the Emergency department (ED), while still providing access to appropriate health services. People visiting GBGH’s ED or consulting the hospital’s website will be made aware of other alternatives, such as using Rocket Doctor’s virtual same-day appointment services to potentially prevent the need for an ED visit. GBGH’s Emergency department (ED) experiences overwhelming patient volumes during the summer months due to the area’s surge in seasonal residents and tourism.

Partnering with a hospital is a first for Rocket Doctor, which has usually worked with rural and remote communities to offer virtual care services (i.e. through a local pharmacy). By connecting potential ED patients with Rocket Doctor, it is an opportunity for them to receive the appropriate care they need without contributing to ED wait times.

“Regardless of the summer season, GBGH’s ED sees approximately 60 per cent of patients who have a minor illness or injury which could potentially have been addressed in another setting, leaving the Emerg for patients with more serious conditions,” says Dr. Vikram Ralhan, emergency physician and chief of staff, GBGH. “In this community we have very limited access to walk-in, urgent care and after-hours clinics, so patients rely heavily on our ED for minor ailments – many of which can be handled through alternatives like their primary care provider or an available virtual option. Redirecting less acute patients to a virtual or other community service ensures they receive the right care in the right place at the right time, which is critical to reducing ED wait times and efficient patient flow.”

In addition to virtual care, other alternatives include the North Simcoe Family Health Team Nurse Practitioner Clinic which is available to all North Simcoe residents, regardless of affiliation with a family doctor, including unattached patients. Patients who have a family physician affiliated with the North Simcoe Health Network can also contact their physician’s office to access their After Hours Clinic.

Rocket Doctor provides same day virtual appointments with access to 250 emergency/family medicine physicians and specialists across Ontario in patients’ area(s) of need. The service is covered by OHIP so there is no cost to patients and all information is completed in advance of the appointment so it doesn’t impact time with a physician.

“When GBGH approached Rocket Doctor with the possibility of utilizing our service to provide an alternative option to the ED, we were very interested in how we could collaborate,” says Dr. William Cherniak, founder and CEO, Rocket Doctor. “This is our first partnership with a hospital, and fits perfectly with our vision of working hand in hand with the public system to enhance equitable access to care. We look forward to seeing how our service can provide some relief to staggering ED volumes in a time where health human resources are very challenging.”

To access the GBGH page on Rocket Doctor, use the following link: https://rocketdoctor.ca/georgian-bay-general-hospital/

To access Rocket Doctor via GBGH’s website, use the following link:

https://gbgh.on.ca/programs-and-services/emergency-department/

In partnership with GBGH, the North Simcoe Ontario Health Team (NSOHT), is working on creating a seamless, coordinated and comprehensive system of care to best serve the needs of the community. North Simcoe communities include Midland, Penetanguishene, Tay Township, Tiny Township and Christian Island. The NSOHT is fully supportive of innovative approaches and alternative solutions that assist patients in finding the most appropriate care for their needs.

“While still in the early implementation stage of integrated care efforts across health and social services, our OHT is very interested in this work between GBGH and Rocket Doctor,” says Christine Brander, director, NSOHT. “This is a creative way to help ease some of the strain on the hospital while still ensuring patients have access to care for low acuity conditions. It’s important for patients to be aware of all publicly funded care options and empower their choice of care setting. We support the hospital’s efforts to educate the public on alternatives, as well as when it is most appropriate to visit the Emergency department.”

Given the increase in ED visits and ongoing staffing challenges at the hospital due to health human resources shortages province-wide, GBGH is encouraging people to carefully consider if their condition requires an ED visit or if their needs can be met through an alternative like Rocket Doctor. The ED is the right place to receive care if you’re having an emergency, some of which include:

• A change in mental status (i.e. confusion)
• Mental health crisis
• Seizures or convulsions
• Broken bone or wound
• Chest pain or tightness
• Baby under 3 months with fever
• Severe vomiting or diarrhea
• Stiff neck and sensitivity to light
• Severe headache and dizziness
• Difficulty breathing

Contact:

Jennifer Moore

Director of Communications and Stakeholder Relations

705-526-1300 ext 5177

moorejen@gbgh.on.ca

GBGH Board of Directors welcomes new members

June 28, 2022 – The Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) Board of Directors held its Annual General Meeting June 23, during which three new members were welcomed. David Allen, Treva Job and David Wattling were elected for three year terms to represent the community as Directors on the hospital’s Board.

David Allen is a retired healthcare communications professional. David worked at both Toronto General Hospital as the vice president of Public Relations and Trillium Health Centre as the vice president of Community Relations and Partnerships. David has an interest in the areas of community relations, as well as strategy and planning.

Treva Job is a Nurse Practitioner with over 20 years of experience in the healthcare field. Treva is also a nurse educator working as the Simulation Lead at Georgian College, teaching in both the Practical Nursing and Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs. Treva, who has a PhD in Philosophy specializing in nursing education, has a passion for safety and quality improvement within healthcare.

Dave Wattling comes to the Board with a background in information technology, healthcare and consulting in North America and Europe. Most recently working at TELUS Health as vice president & chief corporate development officer. Dave has an interest in the areas of governance, strategy, performance management, technology–enabled transformation, and communications.

GBGH Board chair Tim Kastelic, elected in 2021-22 continues his role in 2022-23.

Departing members of the Board include Britt McKerrow and Sara Lankshear. McKerrow, a retired financial services industry professional, served a three year term on the GBGH Board of Directors and was mostly recently the Chair of the Board’s Audit and Resource Committee. Lankshear, the associate dean of nursing at Georgian College, served three terms for a total of nine years with the Board. Most recently, Sara was chair of the Board’s Quality Committee. GBGH thanks both for their exceptional commitment to the hospital and for the invaluable knowledge both brought to their roles as Directors.

Contact:

Jennifer Moore

Director of Communications and Stakeholder Relations

705-526-1300 ext 5177

moorejen@gbgh.on.ca

GBGH lifts mandatory visitor vaccination policy

June 21, 2022 – Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) is lifting its mandatory visitor vaccination policy based on the current pandemic status in the region. Effective immediately, visitors to the hospital will no longer be required to show proof of COVID-19 immunization as a condition of entry to the hospital.

“For safety reasons during the height of the pandemic, GBGH made the difficult but necessary decision to limit visitation to those who had received COVID-19 vaccinations,” says Angie Saini, vice president of Clinical Services and chief nursing executive. “As we have seen across the province, mandatory vaccination policies have been lifted with decreasing infection rates. GBGH continues to carefully and regularly consider our policies and feel it is now safe to remove our mandatory visitor vaccination policy. Visitation is always an essential part of patient care as it enhances the patient experience and improves patient outcomes.”

While visitors will no longer be required to show proof of COVID-19 immunization, GBGH remains committed to keeping patients, staff, visitors and volunteers safe through a continuation of mandatory masking within the hospital. All patients and visitors will be required to wear a hospital-provided mask for the duration of their visit. Health experts have agreed that continued use of masking in hospital settings remains a simple and necessary safeguard. Masking helps prevent the most vulnerable patients – those cared for by hospitals – from contracting COVID-19.

Visitors and patients will also continue to be actively screened for COVID-19 symptoms and mandatory mask adherence upon entry to GBGH.

COVID-19 policies are subject to change based on the status of the pandemic within the region GBGH serves.

Contact:

Jennifer Moore

Director, Communications & Stakeholder Relations

Georgian Bay General Hospital

705-526-1300 ext 5177

moorejen@gbgh.on.ca

GBGH opens Prenatal Clinic to enhance obstetrical services for the community

Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) is opening a Prenatal Clinic to add comprehensive prenatal care to its growing Birthing program. Dr. Chevy Moreau (pictured with patient Laura Leboeuf), GBGH’s chief of Obstetrics and an obstetrician-gynecologist, has been a dedicated proponent of the service which will provide continuity of care for patients from their first trimester all the way to delivery.

June 10, 2022 – Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) is opening a Prenatal Clinic on June 20, 2022 to provide high quality, standardized care closer to home for pregnant women in the North Simcoe community it serves. The clinic, which will operate weekly at GBGH, will be available to women in our community with or without a primary care provider to ensure all have access to comprehensive prenatal care.

Dr. Chevy (Jan) Moreau, who joined GBGH last fall as the Chief of Obstetrics, has been a dedicated proponent of adding this service to the Birthing program at the hospital.

“Through the establishment of the Prenatal Clinic, GBGH will be able to provide continuity of care to patients from the first trimester all the way to their delivery,” says Dr. Moreau, obstetrician-gynecologist and chief of Obstetrics, GBGH. “In addition to providing prenatal care, the clinic also offers an opportunity for patients to meet the obstetrical team, tour the Birthing unit and have ongoing follow-up appointments with direct access to the hospital’s Diagnostic Imaging and Lab services.”

The clinic, which will operate on Monday mornings, will be staffed by GBGH’s team of highly skilled nurses and obstetrical physicians, including several local family physicians who perform deliveries at the hospital in addition to Dr. Moreau. Located in the Ambulatory Care department for the clinic’s initial months of operation, there are plans to eventually relocate the service to the Birthing Unit.

Patients with a primary care provider can be referred to the clinic through their provider’s office, likely around 12 – 14 weeks gestation. Women without a primary care provider can self-refer at any time via an online form on GBGH’s website: https://gbgh.on.ca/programs-and-services/obstetrical-unit/prenatal-clinic/

“GBGH strives to always align the services we provide with the needs of our community,” says Dr. Vikram Ralhan, chief of staff and emergency physician, GBGH. “By opening this clinic, GBGH will offer routine prenatal care close to home and ideally, encourage more women to remain within our community to have their babies. GBGH has worked diligently over the past five years to grow a comprehensive Birthing program and our goal is to continue that growth.”

Annually, there are approximately 300 births that occur from GBGH’s catchment area of Midland, Penetanguishene, Christian Island and the Townships of Tay, Tiny, Georgian Bay (south) and Springwater (north). Between April 1, 2021 and March 31, 2022, there were 138 births at GBGH indicating there is a significant number of women travelling outside this area for birthing services. It is estimated that 90 per cent of births from our catchment area occurring in other hospitals within our region could have been completed at GBGH.

Contact:

Jennifer Moore

Director, Communications & Stakeholder Relations

705-526-1300 ext 5177

moorejen@gbgh.on.ca

GBGH expands urology services to align with community needs

Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) is improving access to care closer to home by expanding the urology services available at the hospital. Dr. Tyler Gray is one of two urologists practicing at GBGH on a weekly basis both in the surgical and ambulatory care programs.  

May 31, 2022 – To further improve access to care closer to home, Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) has expanded the urology services offered within its surgical and ambulatory care programs. This urology service expansion is part of the hospital’s surgical optimization plan to align its services with community needs and provide opportunities for patients to receive care in their home hospital.

Urology services at GBGH are provided by Dr. Tyler Gray and Dr. Derek Bos of Near North Urology (Orillia), who are performing urology procedures in the operating room once per month and the ambulatory care department on a weekly basis.

“It is very important local patients are able to receive their care within their home community whenever possible,” says Dr. Tyler Gray, urologist, GBGH. “By having urology services available at GBGH it means less travel, fewer logistics and it increases the likelihood that patients will follow-through with evaluation and treatment. An additional benefit for patients at GBGH is low wait times for surgical procedures. Patients’ urological procedures can be performed sooner while also having the comfort and ease of staying closer to home.”

In addition to the practice of Dr. Gray and Dr. Bos, the expansion of urology services has also been possible due to new equipment recently purchased by the hospital. New resectoscope trays and instrumentation has enabled the hospital to make one of the most significant changes in urology services – the addition of day surgery transurethral resections of the prostate (TURP). This procedure treats urinary issues caused by an enlarged prostate. TURP procedures are very common, but previously required an overnight stay in hospital due to GBGH’s aged equipment. This was problematic as GBGH usually runs overcapacity without vacant inpatient beds to accommodate these surgical patients. With the purchase of the new trays and instruments, the TURP can now be completed using different methods with less bleeding, fewer complications and no overnight stay required.

In addition to TURPs, GBGH offers a wide variety of other urological evaluations and procedures through its surgical and ambulatory care departments. These include evaluating and treating masses and pain, addressing urinary issues (retention, frequency, recurring infections), vasectomies, adult circumcision, erectile dysfunction, testicular removal (orchiectomy), and the consultation and management of prostate, bladder and kidney cancers.

To ensure other physicians in the community are aware of the urology services available to local patients at GBGH and how to refer patients, the hospital has contacted local family physicians and nurse practitioners (NP). Patients can ask their family physician or NP about the referral process to have their urology care completed at GBGH. In addition to urology, GBGH’s surgical and ambulatory care programs offer general surgery and specialty procedures, including orthopedic, ophthalmology, gynecology, urology and ear/nose/throat.

Data gathered by GBGH about patient patterns for surgical procedures indicates more than 3,700 local patients from Midland, Penetanguishene and the surrounding area are currently travelling elsewhere in Simcoe County, or outside the region, for procedures which could have been completed at GBGH. Specifically, only 22 per cent of local patients received their surgical care at GBGH with more than 40 per cent leaving Simcoe County entirely. This equates to more than 7,500 hours of time and 600,000 km in distance.

Contact:

Jennifer Moore

Director, Communications & Stakeholder Relations

705-526-1300 ext 5177

moorejen@gbgh.on.ca

COVID-19 outbreak on GBGH’s 1 North unit declared over

May 28, 2022 – Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH), in consultation with the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit, has officially declared the COVID-19 outbreak over on its 1 North inpatient unit.

The outbreak, originally declared May 10, included 17 patients who contracted COVID-19 while receiving care at the hospital and 10 staff members.

During the outbreak only essential visitors were permitted on the unit, but visitation on 1 North is returning to two visitors at a time during the visiting hours of 9:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.

Admissions to the unit were also restricted during the outbreak, but the unit is resuming admissions.

Contact:

Jennifer Moore

Director, Communications & Stakeholder Relations

Georgian Bay General Hospital

705-526-1300 ext. 5177

moorejen@gbgh.on.ca