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Patrick Gaskin, the President and CEO of Cambridge Memorial Hospital was our guest speaker. He has spent 25 years in the healthcare and hospital administration business. He has been at CMH since 2009. He has gained experience in helping organizations (hospitals) under provincial supervision and initially came to CMH in this role. He said that CMH now enjoys the highest level of accreditation. He spoke about the effects of Covid at CMH. Although extra beds have been opened they are still full. Covid impacts all hospital programmes. They have a negative pressure room for suspected patients. He said communication with staff and community is important. Mental Health support has been available for staff. They have supported a vaccine clinic. They have helped out with issues at Cambridge Country Manor. The community has given back with obtaining masks and hand sanitizer for the hospital. Waterloo Region has taken Covid patients from the GTA. In the midst of this they are trying to get a Liver Clinic up and running. Other issues include working down the back log of patients waiting for routine care, assuring staff and physician safety ( re covid), promoting a sense of well being on the job, and working on the issues of diversity and inclusivity. CMH is 242 out of the 500 best Canadian Employers. He is happy about this. The renovations of hospital wings continue. Dialysis care is something upcoming and replacement of out of date equipment is ongoing. A state of the art Computer System for CMH is on his wish list and the government will not fund this. He recognised the support of the CMH Foundation in providing 5M / year just to replace equipment. They have lost 44 staff due to the mandatory vaccination rule. Staff shortages are all pervasive. Running a hospital is a complicated task. Thanks for taking the time to come and talk to us.
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