Geraldton District Hospital Board Approves 2013-2014 Operating Budget

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

Last year the government started working on a new funding formula for quality-based procedures to ensure that cost-effective procedures are practiced in all hospitals.  Thus, some efficient hospitals will receive funding increases and others will receive decreases.  Overall, the increase will be zero for all hospitals.

At this time it is anticipated that the new funding formula will not have a significant effect on the funding level at Geraldton District Hospital.  As per planning discussions with the North West Local Health Integration Network, the Hospital assumes no change in funding.

This indeed was a challenge to overcome for the Fiscal Advisory Committee (FAC).  The FAC is comprised of four management staff, one medical staff and three union representatives (ONA, CUPE and CAW), as well as a non-union representative.

The FAC also had other challenges, such as absorbing arbitration awards, ranging from zero to three percent, while slightly increasing staffing in order to improve infection control processes.

After meeting twice over the past month, the FAC recommended a balanced budget to the Board of Directors.

The Board of Directors reviewed the Budget in detail, as recommended by the FAC, and approved it.  The Budget was then submitted to the North West Local Health Integration Network.  The North West LHIN will review the Budget and prepare a 2013-2014 Hospital Services Accountability Agreement for signing at a later date.

Should any individual or group/organization wish to receive more information regarding the 2013-2014 Operating Budget/Hospital Annual Planning Submission, then please do not hesitate to contact Kurt Pristanski 854-4107 or go to the Hospital website at www.geraldtondh.com.

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