New initiative designed for caregivers
Northumberland 89.7 FM File Ph.
By Cecilia Nasmith, Northumberland 89.7 FM News
Northumberland County
A new joint initiative is being launched by Northumberland Hills Hospital and the Ontario Health Team of Northumberland, announced – appropriately – on National Caregiver Day (the first Tuesday in April).
The Essential Care Partner Program pilot project focuses on the unique needs of caregivers supporting patients in the hospital's Post Acute Specialty Services unit, which includes Palliative Care and Integrated Stroke, with OHT-N providing project management and co-ordination.
Pending evaluation, the vision is to roll out the ECP program hospital-wide, and to other health-care and social-service organizations within the county to enhance supports for caregivers throughout the region. By formally recognizing the vital role of caregivers in patient well-being, this project aims to use new resources developed by the Ontario Caregiver Association to improve patient outcomes, reduce caregiver burnout and optimize hospital resources.
The working group behind this initiative includes members of both OHT-N and NHH teams, with representation from a broad mix of clinical and support services, including nursing, allied health, social work, Most Responsible Provider (in this case, Nurse Practitioners), Ontario Health at Home, clinical information, leadership and volunteers. The most important team members are the people with lived experience through patient and caregiver partners from both the NHH Patient Family Advisory Council and their counterparts within the OHT-N.
Working group members will meet monthly, and a late summer/early fall time frame is planned for an estimated rollout of the first phase of the project.
NHH President and Chief Executive Officer Susan Walsh (who co-chairs the OHT-N with Executive Director Taryn Rennicks of the Community Health Centre of Northumberland) noted that a key priority in the hospital's strategic plan is “exceptional patient care, for every person, every time.
“The ECP project is another enabler toward NHH's Shared Purpose of People First and our work to provide the best human experience for all.”
“We are grateful for this important collaborative opportunity because it shines a light on the critical role that caregivers bring to a patient's care journey,” OHT-N Executive Lead Andrea Groff added.
“Most importantly, it connects caregivers to a network of resources, ensuring they are receiving the support needed to perform caretaking duties. We look forward to sharing updates as this important work progresses.”
OHT-N Experience Partner Council Chair Suzanne Lawson shared statistics from the Ontario Caregiver Organization that indicate four-million caregivers across Ontario provide an estimated 75% of care in the system.
“Their contributions to care cannot be understated, and therefore it is critical that we continue to raise visibility about the importance of their role, not only in the lives of a patient but across the broader health-care system.”
To learn more about the Ontario Caregiver Organization and its many resources (including a 24/7 Helpline, webinars, e-learning, and group and peer supports), visit OntarioCaregiver.ca
For more information about the OHT-N, visit OHTNorthumberland.ca
For more information about NHH, visit NHH.ca
