HOSPITAL, NURSING HOME CEO HIGHLIGHTS PARTNERSHIPS

"Partnerships" is a key word for Leah Levesque these days.

The president and CEO of Arnprior Regional Health (ARH), which oversees the town hospital and Grove Nursing Home, mentioned partnerships several times as guest speaker at the Greater Arnprior Chamber of Commerce's annual breakfast.

"We've had some pretty exciting things happen over the last year," Levesque said at the Legion-hosted event that included about 50 business leaders.

The partnership between ARH and Queensway Carleton Hospital last spring was the first highlight to which Levesque pointed. It has seen 365 patients participate in the Total Knee Replacement program. The aim is to see 400 patients from the region undergo the surgery next year.

ARH is working with the Ontario Ministry of Health and LongTerm Care on similar programs.

"We have the capacity and room for volume," Levesque said.

She also mentioned the CT scanner that received approval from the ministry but no funding for the purchase or operation. It will be almost two years, and involve partnering with the community to raise funds, before the first scan takes place. The benefit to patients will be significant, Levesque said, by not having to be transported in a specialized vehicle with a professional to Pembroke or Ottawa.

The strategic plan is only three-years long due to the "current political environment is very challenging for health care," she said. Still, the strategy is to see "person-centred care" that involves including and partnering with patients.

Over at the Grove, the new 96bed facility is at 100 capacity; 32 more are planned for behind the old Grove for private and specialized care (the front will remain as is). Currently, 285 people are on the wait list.

"There's a lot of heavy lifting ahead." - Leah Levesque

Levesque mentioned partnerships with the Ottawa West Four Rivers Ontario Health Team, that includes hospitals from Kemptville to Carleton Place and parts of the city.

The foundation's board of directors is looking for a treasurer. Staffing in general has been "a challenge," Levesque said, but the hiring team will continue to seek local workers who share ARH's values. Personal Support Workers are spending more time at clients' homes, she added.

Last fall, the organization received "exemplary" standing during the accreditation process, the highest level obtainable.

"It's been a busy year and there's a lot of heavy lifting ahead."