REP ORT TOO

1 am pleased to report on the
activities of the Board of Directors
of Lions Gate Hospital for the past
fiscal year.

The eighteen member volunteer
Board met regularly to conduct the
business of the hospital. In
addition, Board committees met as
required in the areas of finance,
communications, human resources,
quality assurance and planning.

Victor Bennington
Chairman of the Board
of Directors

This was a busy year. A
considerable amount of change
has occurred in the health industry
which has-.and will continue to
impact us. The change of
government, the state of our
economy, amu importantly, the
direction set in the Royal
Commission Report on Health
Care and Costs, Closer to
Home, are already being
reflected in the daily affairs of

N ©O RUF fi

Lions Gate Hospital. During the
deliberative process conducted by
Commissioner fustice Seaton,
Lions Gate Hospital developed and
presented its position on several
health care issues. Upon receiving
the Commission's report in
November, a special session of the
Board was convened to allow
members, along with the Lions
Gate Hospital Foundation Board
and the North Shore Union Board
of Health, to hear two of the
Commissioners speak to the major
issues. Many aspects of the
recommendations have been in
effect on the North Shore for some
years. Others, however, will require
change as caregivers find new
ways to integrate and collaborate
in the interests of our patients and
residents.

The financial position of the health
industry has been particularly tight
for some years. This is most
significant in respect to our capital
equipment needs. While the
current trend seems to suggest a
down-sizing and consolidating of
care systems, it should be noted
that Lions Gate Hospital is already
below the 2.75 beds per 1,000
population suggested by the Royal
Commission (Lions Gate Hospital is
2.6 beds per 1,000). However,
finances have left Lions Gate
Hospital increasingly unable to
acquire sufficient new and
replacement equipment. This
situation is being addressed by the
Lions Gate Hospital Foundation
with the support of the hospital
Board and executive staff who are
in the planning phases of
developing a major capital
campaign.

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ack;and eels conticen
safer knowing that Jane is visiting us at-home-:it’s:good:to
be able to.ask quesiions once you'get‘ho
can't ‘think of everything when: you'r of

rethink their job conditions, stress‘levels, working part-time,o.
taking early retirement. Some need to quit smoking and/or” *
change their diet or exercise regimes..1 encourage. the sedentary
to become more active, and tell those who enjoy saunas, :hot:. .
tubs and tropical holidays that they may have to trial these: ».

" activities as warmer temperatures dilate blood vessels.

After being Head Nurse on the Cardiac Care Unit for 10 years; 1
really enjoy working with people as they recover and adjust to ..
their new lifestyles. It’s rewarding to see people get well and .
learn more about themselves. They have a better peace of mind
when they receive some early and ongoing support.” -

What is a heart attack?

Interestingly enough, most people don’t really know what a
heart attack is. A heart attack is caused by a lack of oxygen
to the heart muscle which results in a part of the heart
muscle dying. There may or may not have been any angina
(tightness or pain) felt. The muscle will not be rejuvenated
but will, during the body’s self-healing process, be replaced
with scar tissue. This phase of recovery is vitally important
and takes-between 4-6 weeks. The first week to 10 days of
recovery are usually spent in hospital.