Hello, Boozhoo, Bonjour.
I sincerely hope you have had an enjoyable summer whether you spent time with family, traveled or simply took a moment to relax. As always, please know that you are doing incredible work and your dedication does not go unnoticed. Looking ahead, we are excited for the new challenges and opportunities. Over the course of the summer we were pleased to welcome a number of new professional staff to our Hospital. We are delighted they have chosen to be part of our community and contribute their expertise to our shared commitment to exceptional patient care. Please join me in welcoming them all to Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC).
As you know, over the past several months we have seen an increase in community violence in our city. Protecting our staff, professional staff, patients, families and caregivers remains one of our highest priorities. In recent years we have made significant investments in hospital security including enhanced patrols, additional safety personnel and improved monitoring systems. We are now moving forward with new measures including exploring strategies used by other hospitals that have introduced AI-powered weapons detection systems at entry points. While no single solution is perfect, this technology can support respectful and non-intrusive screening of individuals entering our hospital. Combined with our existing efforts, these steps will help us maintain a safe and secure environment while respecting the needs and comfort of our community. We will update you on this as more details come in.
Like all hospitals in Ontario, we are part of an ongoing process with Ontario Health and the Ministry of Health to ensure hospitals are supported as costs rise and demand for services continues to grow. This process will help identify where pressures are greatest and how resources can best be allocated across the province. While final details for this year’s funding are still being confirmed, we know that TBRHSC has a long history of delivering excellent care efficiently even under resource pressures. What will never change is our commitment to safe, high-quality care for our patients supported by the dedication of our staff and teams.
Finally, the Town Hall returns on September 17th and we encourage everyone to participate to hear updates about new initiatives and happenings around the Hospital and Health Research Institute. It is also a time where you can ask questions and share your thoughts. Your involvement is important as it helps us to be better and more responsive to the needs of staff, professional staff, patients, families and caregivers. Find out more about the Town Hall here.
As always, I welcome your feedback about this blog or anything else on your mind. You can reach me at rhonda.ellacott@tbh.net. I appreciate hearing from you.
