Should nurses be buzzed? Hospital board ponders waiting room access (5 photos)

Four new representatives were elected to the Matthews Memorial Hospital Association board of directors Saturday at its 2017 Annual General Meeting, joining five returning directors.

About 50 people from across the North Shore, from MacDonald Meredith and Aberdeen to Plummer Township including St. Joseph Island, gathered at the Desbarats Community Centre to elect nine board members for the coming year.

Prior to the election, year-end reports including the financial statements were reviewed and approved, as well minutes from 2016 Annual General Meeting for Matthews Memorial Hospital Association (MMHA) and BridgeLink Community Properties (BridgeLink Medical Centre), a separate corporation from MMHA.

MMHA chair, Sheila Campbell told those gathered among the reasons MMHA will be renegotiating its loan was the $8,571 in interest BridgeLink paid last year. Campbell is also treasurer for BridgeLink.

In 2012, a demand loan of $245,000 was taken out to restructure its debt amortized over 12 years.

Among the reasons for the high debt was the cost to bring in locum physicians from outside the Algoma region to cover the hospital after its two practising physicians left close together and replacements were critically needed to keep the hospital running, Campbell said.

"If we ever closed the doors even for five minutes we would have lost the hospital designation and would never get it back again," Campbell said. "So, a huge debt was run up and we had to finance."

As of Oct 31, 2016, $145,369 remains payable.

BridgeLink Chair, Albert Crowder, said the building is in relatively good conditions but some issues need to be addressed, such as two windows that were due to be replaced last year. Instead, flooring was removed and replaced with commercial flooring after rain storm damage was located within the St. Joseph Island Medical Clinic.

A Desbarats resident requested the board look into a handicap access button for the doctor's office. The exterior of the building is equipped with a handicap button but not the lobby of the building.

"Duly noted," said board secretary Mark Henderson.

For the third year, access to the waiting room of the hospital was revisited.

"The nurses like it as is," Campbell said, adding the issue is still in negotiations. "There are ways and means to deal with it. If a solid plan can be figured out, Dan Lewis is willing to listen."

Patients currently buzz a nurse, between two sets of doors just inside the entrance to the North Shore Health Network Richards Landing — Matthews site hospital, formerly known as Matthews Memorial Hospital.

Campbell also noted the reason for being buzzed in is not only the security of nursing staff but infectious disease control.

"It's simple," Janet Callahan said. "Go buy a lock and get it in. Stop complaining. I understand concern for nursing working alone but don't leave people outside."

"Infectious control is a serious issue not just at Matthews," Campbell added.

Once inside the building, patients are directed to either the office for vitals and information or the waiting room before entering the corridors and examining rooms.

In the past year, MMHA received financial support for Physician Recruitment and Retention Fund from all eight municipalities in the catchment area. In addition to that fund, Jocelyn Township donated funds toward operating costs and St. Joseph Township provided office and meeting space.

Following those discussions, the five board members that were present vacated their chairs and elections were carried out.

Elected from the North Shore was returning board member Ann Bell. Joining Bell are newcomers Dick Beitz and Marlee Hopkins.

Elected from St. Joseph Island were returning board members, Lavera Crack, Albert Crowder, Mark Henderson and Sheila Campbell. Joining them are newcomers Anita Neissen and Wendy Robertson.

Neissen was not present for nomination but had agreed to let her name stand for election.

Newly elected members got down to business immediately, voting for its executive for MMHA and BridgeLink Community Properties.

MMHA Chair: Lavera Crack; Vice-chair: Albert Crowder; Secretary: Mark Henderson; and Treasurer: Sheila Campbell.

BridgeLink Chair: Albert Crowder; Vice-chair: Ann Bell; Secretary: Lavera Crack; Treasurer: Sheila Campbell.