Vitalité Health Network takes stock of its latest achievements
Vitalité Health Network, November 3, 2023 – Vitalité Health Network released its most recent Quarterly Report to the Community today. The document draws a portrait of an organization engaged in a process of transformation that is making great strides in many of its sectors.
Vitalité Health Network made improving access to primary health care one of its two strategic priorities.
The Network has taken a step forward toward implementing an integrated primary health care model, which provides patients with access to a collaborative and interdisciplinary team instead of to a single health professional. Deployment has started in the regions of Edmundston, Rivière-Verte and Lac Baker, as well as in the community of Dieppe and the surrounding area. One of the project components is the creation of a coordination and referral centre that delegates the delivery of care to the right provider.
“The challenges related to demographic changes are not behind us; the health system must undertake to provide the best care and services to our patients, our clients and their family members every day, said Dr. France Desrosiers, President and CEO. Day after day, our teams demonstrate that they are up to this challenge.”
The Network’s other major strategic priority is the improvement of patient flow and hospital performance. Following are some of the initiatives undertaken to achieve this objective:
- Creation of a Surgical Short Stay Unit at the Chaleur Regional Hospital.
- Optimization of the surgical suite of the Edmundston Regional Hospital.
- Improvement project in the Emergency Department of the Campbellton Regional Hospital.
- Training of specialized hemodialysis patient care attendants.
- Integration of patients and families as care partners.
“Some 36 strategic improvement projects are currently underway in our four zones, using a rapid execution approach, described Dr. France Desrosiers. These solutions, developed with our teams on the ground, are designed to facilitate access to care, advance the care provided to patients or support the recruitment and retention of staff.”
Clear progress in recruitment and access to surgeries
The improvements made over the past two years are yielding results.
In 2022–2023, the number of people waiting for a surgical procedure for over 12 months was reduced by 31%. The number of hip and knee surgeries performed increased by 25%.
Another reason for celebration is that Vitalité Health Network has had more hires than departures since June 2022. This trend has been consistent over the past 12 months. From September 1, 2022, to August 31, 2023, there were 518 hires and 343 departures.
The report is also largely positive in terms of recruitment of registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and patient care attendants, with 219 hires and 109 departures over 12 months.
“This success is tangible proof of the commitment of the Network’s teams toward improving services,” said Thomas Soucy, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Vitalité Health Network.
Public meeting of the Board of Directors
As part of the regular meeting of the Board of Directors taking place on Tuesday, November 7, 2023 at 1:00 p.m., the quarterly report will be discussed.
The public is invited to attend the public meeting in person at the Four Points by Sheraton located at 100 Rice Street, in Edmundston, or virtually via the Zoom platform.
The President and CEO, Dr. France Desrosiers, will answer the public’s questions online and in person at the end of the meeting, around 3:30 p.m. She will be accompanied by the Chairperson of the Board of Directors and members of the Network’s Leadership Team.
