Listening to the community: Stella-Maris-de-Kent Hospital adapts its services to regional needs
Vitalité Health Network recently participated in a meeting with the Health Committee of the Kent Regional Service Commission (RSC) to discuss the population's health care needs and explore concrete ways to better meet them.
These discussions served to strengthen their collaboration, which led to the development of a new master plan for Stella-Maris-de-Kent Hospital (SMKH), with clear priorities for the next 20 years.
The Network is committed to adapting its services to better reflect demographic realities, improve access to care and develop alternatives to hospitalization.
“Actively listening to our community is essential to guiding our actions,” said Philippe Fontaine, Assistant Director of Logistics and Patient Flow at SMKH. “The meeting with the Kent RSC allowed us to deepen our understanding of local expectations and challenges, and to highlight the efforts already underway.”
Several initiatives have been implemented in recent months to improve services and health care conditions.
Facility upgrades
A complete renovation of the hospital kitchen is underway and should be completed by the fall. This project aims to upgrade food service facilities to better meet patient needs.
The hospital's master plan, based on demographic projections and community needs, has been finalized. Some recommendations are already being implemented, without requiring significant infrastructure upgrades.
Improved patient flow
The Network has appointed a new Assistant Director of Logistics and Patient Flow, whose mandate is to improve the flow of care and strengthen ties with the community.
A social worker position has also been created to facilitate temporary placements in nursing homes. This solution enables several patients waiting for permanent placement to stay in environments better suited to their health condition, while freeing up hospital beds. An activity worker has been hired to lead initiatives that promote patient independence. Among these, the “walking club” has been particularly successful in helping patients maintain their mobility and well-being on a daily basis.
To better meet the needs of children and their families, a pediatric occupational therapist position has been added. This new resource works closely with speech-language pathology services, allowing for joint appointments and more coordinated care.
Emergency Department and mental health
To improve care for patients admitted to the Emergency Department for mental health issues, two new social workers have recently joined the team.
Telemedicine is now being used to provide patients with access to specialized consultations remotely, eliminating the need for travel and improving access to care.
Finally, a close collaboration has been established between Emergency Department teams, community mental health services, and the RCMP, ensuring a more coherent, safe, and patient-focused approach.
The Network reaffirms its commitment to continuing dialogue with the community to ensure quality health services delivery.
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Photo caption: A fruitful meeting between representatives of the Kent CSR Health Committee and representatives of the Vitalité Health Network.
