THUNDER BAY -- Respect is a core element of how the regional hospital approaches patient care.
So it was a simple decision for the Thunder Bay Health Sciences Centre to officially join the city-wide respect. Initiative Friday afternoon.
The initiative originally was conceived by Confederation College staff and students and the City of Thunder Bay expanded the campaign throughout the community in 2012.
TBRHSC executive vice-president Rod Morrison said they have about 3,000 staff who have hundreds upon hundreds of interactions with patients, families and visitors.
“As a fundamental part of our patient and family-centred care and treatment of patients, respect is a really core element,” he said.
There are issues that arise now and then and Morrison says the hospital tries to deal with them as best they can.
For the organization, respect is about treating everybody the same.
“Treating everybody equally, fairly, consistently and with dignity,” Morrison said.
For patients, respect is a cornerstone, said Keith Taylor, co-chair of the Patient and Family Advisory Council.
“When you’re coming here, you’re obviously not feeling well or have a loved one that’s not feeling well and when respect is applied, it goes a long way,” he said, adding the TBRHSC serves a large area that features a lot of cultural diversity.
“We have to feel for that other person’s point of view. We have to feel for their cultural beliefs. We have to respect their cultural beliefs. We can’t always think we know best,” said Taylor.
