Highlights of the Board of Directors’ regular public meeting

The Board of Directors of Vitalité Health Network held its regular public meeting on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, in Beresford.

Here are the highlights of the meeting.

Report by the President and CEO

In her report to the Board of Directors, Dr. France Desrosiers, President and CEO, provided an update on the work accomplished in recent months, including:

• the results of the Network model for access to primary health care and the integration of 20,009 additional patients by local family health teams;
• recruitment initiatives contributing to 645 new hires between December 2023 and November 2024;
• the creation of a command centre to optimize patient flow in hospital facilities; and
• the new priority given to leadership coaching for managers.

For further details, please consult our quarterly report, available online.

Resolution Regarding the Stella-Maris-de-Kent Hospital

During the meeting, the Board of Directors adopted a resolution to approve the submission to the Department of Health for the evaluation of the scenarios outlined in the master plan for the Stella-Maris-de-Kent Hospital.

Testimonial: Access to peritoneal dialysis

A cohort of patients with kidney failure in Edmundston now have access to peritoneal dialysis. This treatment method can be carried out at home, with fewer dietary and fluid restrictions.

France Martin, Manager of Nephrology Services at the Edmundston Regional Hospital, explained that, unlike hemodialysis requiring vascular access, peritoneal dialysis uses the peritoneum—the membrane lining the inside of the abdomen—as a natural filter.

Patients can therefore manage their treatment at home, without having to make regular hospital visits. Gérald Martin, one of the patients who has benefited from the program, expressed his satisfaction at having a more flexible and convenient solution, enabling him not only to continue his daily activities, but also to travel outside the province.

Presentation of the Acadie-Bathurst Zone foundations

The foundations from the four Acadie-Bathurst Zone hospitals presented their recent contributions to improving the patient experience and care offered by the Network:

• Norma Aubut, Chair of the Lamèque Hospital and CHC Foundation, highlighted the opening of the renovated Family Medicine Unit, funded by their most recent major campaign, as well as the creation of a staff development bursary.
• Guy Robichaud, Chair of the Chaleur Regional Hospital Foundation, emphasized that their major campaign will support four projects linked to the modernization of the facility. Donations will provide state-of-the-art equipment for new ambulatory units, modernized patient rooms and the Mother-Child program, as well as funding the construction of a new auditorium.
• Clifford Robichaud, Chair of the Fondation Les Amis de l'Hôpital de Tracadie, described how donor contributions made it possible to renovate the Dialysis Unit and create a Chronic Disease Management Clinic.
• Normand Mourant, Chair of the Fondation Hôpital de l'Enfant Jésus, highlighted the renovation of the Oncology Department in Caraquet, a project that has significantly improved patient comfort.

Since the creation of the Network, these four foundations have invested nearly $19 million in health care in their region.

The Network’s Board of Directors meets at least four times a year and meetings are open to the public. The next regular public meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at 1:30 p.m., at 1000 Main Street, Moncton.