The Honourable Chester Gillan, Minister of Health today confirmed the appointments of Community Hospital Board members across the province.
The appointments will be effective upon proclamation of the Community Hospital Authorities Act planned for January 2006 and will continue until a successor is elected. In the interim, Board members will participate in orientation and planning sessions to determine priorities for the coming year.
Minister Gillan noted, “Community Hospitals continue to play an important role in the delivery of health care on PEI, and the community voice is vital in ongoing planning discussions. I am confident that the skills and knowledge of these Board members will provide community hospitals with the leadership needed to carry out their mandate.”
The Souris Hospital Community Authority Board includes Thelma MacDonald, David MacAulay, Denis Thibodeau, Walter Townshend, and Bill Rooney.
The Montague Community Hospital Authority Board includes Sherry Kacsmarik, Marian Trowbridge, Michael Gallant, Niall MacKay, and Hugh Robins.
The Tyne Valley Community Hospital Authority Board includes Cecile Ellis, Denis Marantz, Lorraine Robinson, Chief Darlene Bernard, and Allan Lewis.
The Alberton Community Hospital Authority Board includes Colleen Handrahan, Phyllis Porter, Claude Dorgan, David Cahill, and Donna Crocker.
The O’Leary Community Hospital Authority Board includes Ellen Larter, Justin Rogers, Eileen McCarthy, Thelma Sweet, and Allison Ellis.
On April 7, 2005, Government announced the reorganization of the health and social services system in its budget speech by the amalgamation of the four regional health authorities, the Provincial Health Services Authority, and the Department of Health and Social Services into two new ministries. Those ministries include the Department of Health and the Department of Social Services and Seniors.
The Minister has the authority to appoint members as the first interim members of the boards of community hospitals as set out in the Community Hospital Authorities Act.
The business and affairs of the five community hospitals will be managed by these Boards. Prince County Hospital and Queen Elizabeth Hospital are provincial in scope and will be controlled and managed by the new Department of Health.
The transition of the Health and Social Services system has effectively occurred in terms of day-to-day operations. However, there is ongoing consultation with unions regarding collective agreements of the former Health authorities. Further details will be announced as decisions are finalized.