Geraldton District Hospital Board Approves 2011-2012 Operating Budget

Each year the Geraldton District Hospital (GDH) formulates an operating budget that helps determine the day-to-day operations of the Hospital.  This budget is formally called the Hospital Annual Planning Submission (HAPS) and must be in a balanced or surplus position, as mandated by the government.

In mid-August 2011, the North West Local Health Integration Network (NW LHIN) announced the funding allocation to each hospital.  Geraldton District Hospital received a 1.68% increase.

Hospital finance staff then commenced updating last year’s Operating Budget.  Two meetings were then held with the Fiscal Advisory Committee (FAC), compromised of management, medical staff and three unions, as well as a non-union representative.

The FAC recommended to the Board of Directors a balanced Operating Budget that included additional PSW, RPN and ward clerk hours on the Long-Term Care unit and other minor staffing adjustments throughout the hospital.  Also, additional one-time funding of .36% was received to assist with the implementation of newly legislated requirements in the Excellent Care for All Act.  A temporary part-time Quality Improvement Coordinator was hired using these one-time funds.  Finally, additional funding of .35% was received in late September only for additional telemedicine services.  Planning is in place to utilize such funding.

The Board of Directors reviewed the Operating Budget in detail.  Board members were pleased that not only was it balanced, but there were also improvements in services.

The Operating Budget was downloaded to the NW LHIN site.  Staff at the NW LHIN will review it and prepare a 2011-2012 Hospital Services Accountability Agreement for signing at a later date.

Should any individual or group/organization wish to receive more information regarding the 2011-2012 Operating Budget, then please do not hesitate to contact Kurt Pristanski, CEO at 854-4107 or go to the GDH website at www.geraldtondh.com.

Si vous désirez recevoir ce communiqué en français, veillez appeler le 854-4102.