Headwaters Health Care Centre says it welcomes the Ontario Government’s proposed Excellent Care for All Act, 2010, designed to improve quality in health care.

“Headwaters’ priority is to ensure safe, high quality services for our patients. Our community should know that we are already doing most of the activities outlined in the new Bill,” said Margot Hornseth, Chair of the hospital’s board of directors.

The new law would require hospital boards and executives to meet the public’s increasing expectations regarding quality, patient safety, and accountability through regular reporting to the hospital board of directors on quality-related issues, as well as conducting satisfaction surveys on quality of care experience, sharing quality plans publicly, and establishing a formal patient relations policy to address patient, client and caregiver relations concerns.

“Headwaters already meets most of these requirements, including patient surveys and a patient complaint process that helps health professionals identify what they learned through a formal process,” Ms. Hornseth said.

“As well, Headwaters has a Board Quality Committee and a Medical Advisory Committee that regularly report on quality related issues to the hospital’s board of directors.”

Headwaters Health Care Centre’s quality improvement initiatives include implementing the Provincial Wait Times Strategy and Surgical Safety Checklists, meeting stringent accreditation standards and adopting leading practices to improve the quality and safety of patient care.

Ms. Hornseth pointed out that the hospital has adopted new models of care, including the opening of an IV and wound care clinic at the hospital in collaboration with the Central West CCAC, to reduce emergency wait times and enhance convenience for patients.

The proposed Bill also includes provisions to link executive compensation to achievement of improvements set out in the hospital’s annual quality improvement plan. For the past several years, a portion of the compensation of Headwaters’ president and CEO has been based on quality and service.

“The Headwaters Board monitors the implementation of annual quality plans, oversees hospital performance, and ensures high-calibre individuals are recruited to meet our organization’s goals,” Ms. Hornseth said.

More information about this proposed law can be found at www. news.ontario .ca/mohltc/en/2010/05/im proving-health-care-forontarians. html