August 17, 2007

TORONTO – The McGuinty government has appointed Kenneth Deane, as a facilitator to prepare Bluewater Health for the implementation of the recommendations contained in the investigator’s report released in July, Health and Long-Term Care Minister George Smitherman announced today.

“We are committed to ensuring that residents of Sarnia have access to the best possible health care services,” said Smitherman. “Appointing Kenneth Deane as a facilitator at Bluewater Health is an important step towards implementing the investigator’s recommendations and putting the hospital on a more stable foundation now and for the future.”

Reporting to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, Deane will be responsible for :

• Assisting in the development of an implementation plan for the recommendations suggested by the investigator
• Working closely with the physicians, administration and the Board to ensure effective management and leadership systems are in place
• Helping the Board and administration restore the community’s confidence in the hospital’s services
• Acting on specific recommendations from the investigator’s report to resolve identified staffing and operational issues
• Providing advice to the Board as requested.

“I am pleased that we are moving forward to restore trust and confidence in our community by implementing the recommendations suggested by Dr. Kevin Smith,” said Caroline Di Cocco, MPP for Sarnia-Lambton. “Having Kenneth Deane to facilitate this process will benefit the people our community.”

Mr. Deane, currently Chief Operating Officer of the London Health Sciences Centre and St. Joseph’s Health Centre, will work with the community, the hospitals, key stakeholders and the Erie St. Clair Local Health Integration Network to achieve these objectives.

“I am honoured to be a facilitator and assist in advancing the Bluewater Health care system to better serve the community,” said Deane. “We are taking the next step to ensure mutual understanding of leadership roles and responsibilities and ensuring the future success of the hospital.”

“We are pleased that the ministry has expedited the appointment of a facilitator to Bluewater Health and believe that Ken Deane will play a key role in working with the Board and staff to make positive change” said Gary Switzer, CEO of the Erie St. Clair Local Health Integration Network. “We have complete confidence in Mr. Deane’s ability to provide leadership and complement the work already underway in implementing the recommendations at Bluewater Health.”

The facilitator will begin his role on Monday, August 20, 2007 and will provide an update on the progress after 90 days. The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and the Erie-St.Clair Local Health Integration Network will re-evaluate the situation at Bluewater Health and the facilitator role at that time.

A biography of Kenneth Deane is available below.

For further information :

Members of the general public :
416-327-4327, or 1-866-532-3161

BACKGROUNDERS

Kenneth Deane Biography

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