Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre is one of 91 Ontario hospitals moving to a new patient-based funding model.
Normally hospitals get a lump sum from the province based on their budget from the previous year.
During the next three years, a new funding system will be implemented based on how many patients a hospital sees, the services they deliver and the quality of those services.
The new funding model is expected to result in shorter wait times and better access to care as well as more services where needed and better quality care.
“It’s a more defined process as far as time, what you’re being paid for and the resources you have available with the services being provided,” said Scott Potts, executive vice president of corporate and diagnostic services at the Health Sciences Centre.
Potts said the Health Sciences Centre is hopeful the will earn more money as they provide better patient services in an efficient manner.
Hospital administration also won’t know until May or June what the impact of the new funding will have on their budget for 2012-2013.
“We do know we’re an efficient organization and all the measures we’ve done internally and externally that we’ve compared favourably on our efficiencies,” Potts said. “We are hopeful this is going to be good for us.”
Along with the TBRHSC, St. Joseph’s Care Group and Lake of the Woods District Hospital in Kenora will also be using the patient-based funding formula.
Regional hospitals not affected by the new funding system are:
- Atikokan General
- Dryden Regional H C
- Fort Frances Riverside H C Fac Inc
- Geraldton District Hospital
- Manitouwadge General Hospital
- Marathon Wilson Mem Gen
- Nipigon District Memorial
- Red Lake Marg Cochenour Mem
- Sioux Lookout Meno-Ya-Win H. C.
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Terrace Bay Mc Causland
