Enhancing Health Care Governance Key to System Transformation

Ontario Hospital Association
200 Front Street West, Suite 2800
Toronto, Ontario, M5V 3L1
Tel: (416) 205-1345 Fax: (416) 205-1360
Visit our Web Site: http://www.oha.com

Monday, October 25, 2004

Toronto – The Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) has established an initiative supporting health care governance that will bring together a panel of experts to help provide health care trustees with tools to perform their jobs more effectively.

“The OHA recognizes that our expectations of trustees, both in terms of their time commitment and strategic expertise, have risen dramatically,” said Hilary Short, President and CEO of the OHA. “Our governance initiative has been designed to support these leaders in the challenges they face on a daily basis, and maintain our leadership position in a rapidly changing health care climate.”

Created out of the OHA’s strategic review process, the governance initiative will provide health care trustees with education, tools and best practices so that they are equipped to make informed decisions about the health care provided in their institution.

The initiative will be guided by the leadership of a Governance Leadership Council consisting of 15 members, each holding extensive experience in corporate governance. The Council will be chaired by Virginia McLaughlin, Chair of the Board of Directors, Sunnybrook and Women’s College Health Sciences Centre.

“Our ‘blue ribbon’ panel of members has a solid understanding of best practices in corporate governance”, said Virginia McLaughlin. “We recognize the importance of effective governance within hospitals today, and are committed to providing trustees with the knowledge they need to continue doing their best work.”

According to a report released by the OHA in April 2004 entitled, Hospital Governance and Accountability in Ontario, which was written by Maureen Quigley and Graham Scott, almost 3,500 individuals across Ontario are providing leadership and guidance as hospital Directors/Trustees and serving as a critical link between the hospital and the communities served. To help support these leaders and build on their demonstrated commitment, the OHA has already established a "Health Care Trustee Institute" program that provides ongoing educational sessions focused on effective decision-making.

With the proposed development of Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs), highlighted in a speech by Health Minister, George Smitherman on September 9, 2004, and with the government’s commitment to preserve the independence of community boards, effective health care governance will be critical as the government moves forward with its transformation plans.

Background

To support hospital trustees in their duties of office, the OHA established a “Health Care Trustee Institute” in 1999. The Institute provides ongoing educational sessions and a credentialing process for those responsible for the governance of Ontario’s health care organizations.

In the Strategic Directions for the Ontario Hospital Association 2004-2007 document, one of the four strategic priorities is to "lead excellence in health care governance and promote a culture of shared accountability".

Given the growing complexity of health issues faced by hospital Boards, more efficient governance processes and tools are essential to support health care trustees.

The OHA Board has approved the establishment of a Governance Leadership Council to provide external expert advice and counsel to the OHA Board on strategies to ensure the successful implementation of the OHA’s governance program. The scope of the advice will pertain to:

Governance policy development and related advocacy
Board and Trustee Education programs
Development of Board and Trustee resources, i.e., tools, protocols and templates
Sharing of best practices
Mentorship programs
Governance research

Ms. Virginia McLaughlin, Chair of the Board of Directors, Sunnybrook and Women’s College Health Sciences Centre serves as Chair of the Governance Leadership Council.

The Governance Leadership Council is comprised of a total of 15 members with distinguished track records in health care governance and a solid understanding of best practices.

The members of the Governance Leadership Council have been appointed by the OHA Board of Directors on the recommendation of the Governance Committee of the OHA Board of Directors.

The first meeting of the Governance Leadership Council was held on October 22, 2004.

For more information, please visit OHA's website at www.oha.com

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For further information:
OHA Public Affairs
416-205-1371