The new Collaboration Emergency Centre (CEC), which will be open 24 hours a day, has opened in Shaunavon, Sask.

The new centre will extended health care and 24/7 emergency care to residents in Shaunavon and surrounding areas.

"Our government wants to ensure that rural residents have timely access to quality health care services," says Randy Weekes, Saskatchewan's Rural and Remote Health Minister. "That means receiving the right care, at the right time. Shaunavon's new Collaborative Emergency Centre offers expanded access to primary health care providers and the assurance that 24/7 emergency service is available for patients."

Many rural Saskatchewan communities face challenges in recruiting and retaining family physicians. CECs use a team-based approach to offer predictable and sustainable emergency coverage in areas that have experience disruptions in hospital services.

"This model of care will offer enhanced primary health care and more consistent, stable emergency care to the residents of Shaunavon and surrounding communities," says Beth Vachon, Cypress Health Region CEO. "We are very optimistic that the model will create a workplace that will result in improved recruitment and retention of our health team including physicians, nursing staff, EMS providers, and all others."

The new facility will have extended hours of primary health care between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. daily, run by a team of three physicians and nurse practitioner. Nursing staff and a local primary care physician will provide urgent and emergency care during the daytime hours. A Registered Nurse and Paramedic, with support from a STARS (Shock Trauma Air Rescue Society) physician, will lead assessment, minor treatment and urgent care during the overnight period (8 p.m. to 8 a.m.).

Saskatchewan opened its first CEC in Maidstone earlier this fall, with several more CECs opening in other communities in the coming months. The CECs are based on a model used in Nova Scotia.

Hamilton Health Services

Three hospitals in Hamilton and London have issued a Request for Qualifications for a Managed Equipment Services (MES) Partnership.

Hamilton Health Sciences, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton and London Health Services Centre issued the request. The hospitals' Diagnostic Services and Medical Diagnostic Unit departments are seeking a MES partner to support their medical and molecular imaging clinical, academic and research programs.

The hospitals expect this partnership will be an exemplar of their shared project vision, "Living Healthcare – Transformation & Innovation Supported by Progressive Technology and Leading Research. The partnership is expected to promote the vision by:

• Demonstrating organizational and program commitment to the patient experience by ensuring equipment is maintained and meets (or exceeds) industry and legislative safety standards;
• Enable use of data to inform management practices and evidence based-decision making in regards to medical equipment maintenance;
• Support the notion of Seamless Healthcare;
• Facilitate operational excellence, effect asset management, transparency and accountability;
• Draw from the partner's core competencies, innovation and global reach to support and provide Diagnostic Imaging staff with leading best practices;
• Incorporate features that will enhance academic and research initiatives.

Issuing the Request for Qualifications is the first stage in the procurement process to select a project partner.

The Waterloo Wellington Breast Centre (WWBC) at Grand River Hospital's Freeport Site has added a new premium ultrasound unit. 

The new Centre will increase the breast screening capabilities, allowing an increase of 150-200 patients per month. The quality of equipment now equals or surpasses any of the larger centres in Ontario.

Urgent biopsies can be addressed within two weeks and urgent screening cases within a few days, depending on whether or not a mammogram is necessary.

The WWBC had been operating with one ultrasound breast machine for the past six years. A new Philips Matrix IU22 ultrasound machine was purchased, which allows for advanced exams to take place. The Kavelman-Fonn Foundation donated money for the machine. The donation was made in Dr. Eugene Rafferty's name, who is a leading Radiologist at Grand River Hospital.

"As one the country's fastest-growing innovation hubs, it's essential that Waterloo has top notch technology in place to keep our community healthy and thriving," says Dennis Kavelman of the Kavelman-Fonn Foundation. "We're delighted that the new ultrasound machine is in place to serve the needs of women in this region."

IBI TaylorYoung has been recognized with a 2013 Building Better Healthcare award for the Hanover Diagnostic and Treatment Centre in northwest England. The winners were announced on November 13, in London, U.K.

The Centre won the award for Best Use of Existing Estate, Estates and Facilities Management Class, which recognizes projects that improve upon existing buildings to deliver modern healthcare services.

Located in Wigan, north of Manchester, the Centre recently underwent a £6.8-million transformation. Prior to the redevelopment, the centre was a rundown, partly deserted building with outdated patient and staff facilities.

A total of 20 awards were handed out across seven categories: People, Products, Building Design, Estates and Facilities Management, Sustainability and Patient Experience. Three special awards – Clinician's Choice, Patient's Choice and the ProCure21+ Award for Best Project – were also named.

A recent report from Ontario's Long-Term Care Task Force on Resident Care and Safety shows that though progress is being made, more needs to be done.

The Task Force, which is looking into ways to improve resident care and safety, has released a progress update on its three-year Action Place. The latest report indicates that the culture of resident-centred care is increasingly being promoted in the care of the province's 77,000 long term care residents.

"While continuing to work on finding meaningful and measurable ways to ultimately improve the quality of life for our long term care home residents, we must include their voice," says Donna Fairley, Executive Director of the Ontario Association of Residents' Councils. "The progress of the Task Force drives necessary change and will play a key role in working towards person centred care throughout the health care sector."

The progress update mentions that 3,000 long term staff, residents, families and volunteers have participated in educational forums to improve resident-centred care and safety. It also highlights initiatives of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to support long-term care homes. These include:

• $10 million for staff training focusing on prevention of abuse and neglect and caring for residents with complex/challenging behaviours;
• $10 million for supplies and specialized equipment;
• $59 million for Behavioural Supports Ontario to hire over 600 health care professionals with specialized skills and train more than 34,000 staff to support residents with complex behavioural needs.

The Task Force was established following media reports and public concern about incidents of abuse and neglect in long term care homes. It was formed by the long term care sector in November 2011. Its first report, which recommended 18 actions, was issued in May 2012.