Posted on Monday November 24, 2014
Durham Region - - Lakeridge Health is asking residents to have their say on the future of the hospital network and community health provider.
“Every few years we take a step back and look at what’s happening in our community and ask ourselves – what are the big things we need to do to be ready for the future,” says Kevin Empey, President and CEO of Lakeridge Health.
Empey says the focus is on meeting the needs of the growing and aging population.
“As the boomer generation enters retirement, we need to be ready for a much greater demand on health care,” says Empey.
Empey noted Lakeridge Health has changed significantly in the last few years, growing into a leading community hospital and research and teaching centre. Changes have included:
- The top-ranked R.S. McLaughlin Durham Regional Cancer Centre;
- An expansion of mental health and addictions services both within the hospital and in community clinics;
- A partnership with Queen’s University to train medical students in family medicine and now paediatrics; and,
- A rapidly expanding research program currently conducting over 140 clinical trials.
“We have set the bar to be the safest hospital in Ontario and always deliver excellence, every moment of every day,” says Donna Kingelin, Chair of the Lakeridge Health Board of Trustees. “And that goes beyond just great health care – people should also have a great experience when they come to see us.”
A telephone poll is being conducted over the next two weeks to get feedback from people on the hospital organization and what it should do to further improve. Residents are also invited to give their opinion via an online survey.
“Lakeridge Health belongs to all of us, so we want our next Strategic Plan to reflect what our community wants their hospital to be.” says Kingelin. “We hope that folks will answer the phone when we call, or take the online survey to let us know what you think.”
