Western Health Announces Changes to Management Structure
Following the Provincial Government’s announcement of a Flatter, Leaner Management structure for the core government public service, Western Health has restructured its management across the health region. These changes are consistent with the Provincial Government’s direction announced in The Way Forward: A Vision for Sustainability and Growth in Newfoundland and Labrador and its implementation of a flatter, leaner management structure for all levels of government.
Western Health has eliminated 20 positions and created 1 new management position, for a net reduction of 19 positions. This management reduction does not involve any unionized positions. The elimination of these positions is expected to save approximately $1.6 million annually in salary costs.
“We realize this is a difficult time for our staff who are impacted by this change and we will work with them to minimize the impact where possible,” said Dr. Susan Gillam, Chief Executive Officer. “We thank these individuals for their years of service to the organization and the contributions they have made in supporting the delivery of quality health programs and services in the region.” The implementation of these reductions will not directly impact clients, patients and residents.
Western Health values the contribution of its approximately 3,100 employees in ensuring that the organization is responsive to the needs of the region. Western Health is committed to the delivery of timely, safe and quality programs and services for the people of the Western region.
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Media Contact:
Tara Pye
Director of Communications (Acting)
709-637-5252
tarajpye@westernhealth.nl.ca
BACKGROUNDER:
Western Health is one of four regional health authorities in Newfoundland and Labrador with over 3,100 employees and 160 physicians serving a population of approximately 78,000 people. The authority has an annual operating budget of $367 million and offers a full continuum of health services including acute, long term care, community services, hospital care and Humberwood, a provincial inpatient addiction treatment centre, and Western Regional School of Nursing. Its geographic boundaries extend from Port aux Basques southeast to Francois, north to Bartlett’s Harbour, and north east to Jackson’s Arm. Western Health's regional office is located in Corner Brook.
Western Health provides a broad range of programs and services to the people of Western Newfoundland. These programs and services are based in community and facility settings. Western Health provides community based services from 24 office sites, community based medical services from 26 medical clinic sites; two hospitals: Sir Thomas Roddick Hospital in Stephenville and Western Memorial Regional Hospital in Corner Brook; four health centres: Dr. Charles L. LeGrow Health Centre in Port aux Basques, Bonne Bay Health Centre in Norris Point, Calder Health Centre in Burgeo and Rufus Guinchard Health Centre in Port Saunders; and two long term care facilities: Corner Brook Long Term Care Home in Corner Brook and Bay St. George Long Term Care Centre in Stephenville Crossing. Within its facilities, Western Health operates 293 acute care beds, and 434 long term care beds, 14 restorative care beds, as well as 40 enhanced assisted living beds for individuals with mild to moderate dementia.
Western Health accomplishes their mandate through six lines of business: promoting health and well-being; preventing illness and injury; providing supportive care; treating illness and injury; providing rehabilitative services; administering distinctive provincial programs. Programs and services that promote health and well-being include health promotion and health protection activities. Preventing illness and injury occurs through early intervention and use of the best possible information as with screening and injury prevention activities. Programs and services that provide supportive care include: community health nursing; community supportive services; maternal, child and family health; long term care and residential services; mental health and addictions. Programs and services that treat illness and injury are primary and secondary in nature and include ambulatory care, emergency, maternal, medical, pediatric and surgical services. Rehabilitation services such as such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech-language are provided in community and facility settings.
Western Health has approximately 1,300 volunteers who assist in delivering a number of programs and services and special events within acute care, long term care and community, which enhance the quality of life for clients, patients and residents.