RVH meeting outlines successes, future expansion plans

Elected officials and Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH) leaders at the RVH meeting in Barrie, Ont., on Fri., Nov. 15, 2024 (Source: RVH/Supplied)

Municipal officials from across Simcoe-Muskoka met with Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH) leaders this week to discuss RVH’s vision for the future of health care in the region.

According to a release by RVH, Friday morning’s discussion was centred around the health centre’s ten-year ‘Vitally You’ strategic plan and the path to realize it.

 “Over the past two years, we've focused on envisioning our future and laying the groundwork for significant change to better serve our region,” said Gail Hunt, President and CEO of RVH, via the release. “Central to this effort has been understanding what our growing communities need... quality care, close to home, delivered by skilled professionals within an accessible and equitable system.”

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RVH officials stated that the health centre is focused on driving clinical and academic excellence to create high-performing teams who provide exceptional patient and family experiences. The release indicated that, during Friday morning’s meeting, RVH leaders talked about how they are meeting those priorities and how they are addressing issues such as hallway medicine, long wait times and the burden of travel for patients.

POINTS OF DISCUSSION

Specifically, Hunt, along with RVH chief of staff Dr. Jeffery Tyberg, highlighted the health centre’s programs that have made a positive impact, such as the Emergency Department (ED) Minor Ailment Patient Pathway. According to RVH, the program has diverted 6,000 patients from the regular ED by offering pre-booked same- or next-day arrival times, which has reduced wait times to just 1.5 hours on average and minimized overcrowding in the main ED.

Other points of discussion in Friday’s meeting were RVH’s impact on the Simcoe-Muskoka region beyond Barrie, and the successes of its different treatment programs.

RVH officials state that 61 per cent of patients receiving treatment in RVH’s regional programs last year were from outside Barrie.

In terms of programs, it was highlighted that the Hudson Regional Cancer Program was ranked number one in the province by Cancer Care Ontario, as it treated 141,000 patients last year. The growth of the Renal Program was also discussed, as was the launching of the Simcoe Muskoka Regional Eating Disorder Program in partnership with Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital.

“It’s clear that RVH is not only adapting to the growing needs of our community but is truly leading the way in transforming healthcare for the entire Simcoe Muskoka region,” stated Lynn Dollin, Mayor of Innisfil. “This vision for the future will have a lasting impact, and I’m committed to ensuring our community has the support it needs to make it a reality.”

FUTURE PLANS

RVH leaders reiterated the need for expansion in Friday’s meeting, which the health centre has been planning since 2020.

RVH officials confirm that the health centre submitted a revised capital expansion plan in September to prioritize urgent needs and to focus on expanding services in Barrie and Innisfil over the next decade. Developments would include a health hub in Innisfil with an urgent care centre, diagnostic services, outpatient clinics, and 180 post-acute beds.

“RVH plays a critical role in our region’s healthcare system and its transformation is not just about expanding services, it’s about improving lives,” stated Alex Nuttall, Mayor of Barrie. “As we face increasing healthcare demands, these changes will provide our community members with the care they need, when and where they need it, without long drives down the 400. They’ll have them right here at home.”

RVH officials concluded that they are poised to collaborate with all levels of government in building a stronger, more accessible healthcare system to meet the fast-growing needs of Simcoe-Muskoka. 

More information about RVH's ‘Vitally You’ strategic plan can be found on the health centre's website.