August 28, 2008

The Ontario government has approved a plan to transfer the regional and provincial mental health programs of the Mental Health Centre Penetanguishene (MHCP) to the board of the Penetanguishene General Hospital (PGH).  The move is part of the overall governance solution for health care services in the Midland-Penetanguishene area that was proposed by Dr. Kevin Smith, supervisor for the Huronia District Hospital (HDH). 

The restructuring also responds to the community’s request to Dr. Kevin Smith to ensure a local solution that includes no job loss and no loss of health care workers and services from the region.  All MHCP hospital services, facilities and jobs will remain in the local communities, and all employees will remain in the same physical locations.

Today’s announcement means that work can begin to realign existing hospital programs and services from Penetanguishene General Hospital to the Huronia District Hospital.

The divestment of MHCP will move forward with a targeted completion of December 15, 2008.

“This is a step in the right direction for the people of Midland and Penetanguishene,” said David Caplan, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. “This restructuring helps to address the need for cooperative service delivery and governance in the region.”
 
“These structures will ensure that the communities will not have to revisit issues of integration or governance in the foreseeable future.  This will mean the capable staff of the hospitals can focus entirely on their important role of delivering the best possible patient care,” said Dr. Kevin Smith, supervisor for Huronia District Hospital.

“This plan is in keeping with our mandate to work with members of our community to integrate health services and service delivery, to make health services more accessible, and to help citizens and their families achieve better health,” said Jean Trimnell, Chief Executive Officer, North Simcoe Muskoka Local Health Integration Network.

“This is positive news. The board of Penetanguishene General Hospital is pleased to continue its local service and excited to be moving into the mental health field,” said Carol Lambie, Chief Executive Officer, Penetanguishene General Hospital. “Not only is the plan a local solution but it represents an opportunity to carry on Catholic health care locally and benefit all stakeholders, including patients, staff, the local communities, and Ontario’s health care system.”

“This is great news for Huronia District Hospital,” said Dr. Alan Stewart, Interim Chief Executive Officer, Huronia District Hospital. “The approved plan celebrates and recognizes the important history of the Grey Sisters and demonstrates a willingness to do what’s best for the community and the overall North Simcoe Hospital Alliance, by keeping both buildings open and maintaining local hospital services in Midland and Penetanguishene,” added Stewart.

• The province began divesting provincial psychiatric hospitals in 1998.
• Mental Health Centre Penetanguishene (MHCP) is the 10th and last provincial psychiatric hospital to be divested to the public hospital sector.
• In May 2007, the government announced a plan to replace the Oak Ridge building that houses the province’s only maximum secure forensic program.

Visit North Simcoe Hospital Alliance online and learn more about local hospital services.

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