Brant Community Healthcare System launches new five-year strategic plan

The voices of patients and families can be found in the Brant Community Healthcare System’s new five-year strategic plan, say two Brantford residents who assisted with the project.

Harold Stahl and Anna Maynard were the co-chairs of the patient family advisory committee and part of a team that put the strategic plan together. The plan, Leading Beyond Care, was launched at a Thursday ceremony that brought people from throughout the community.

“It was exciting, we learned a lot and heard from a lot of interesting speakers,” Maynard said. “But for me, the most important part of the process, was that we were heard, our voices were respected.”

Maynard said the new strategic plan puts the patient at the centre of care and encourages innovation to help move the healthcare system forward.

The healthcare system operates Brantford General Hospital and Willett Urgent Care Centre in Paris.

Born in Brant County, Maynard, 70, has been a resident of Brantford since 1990. She is familiar with the healthcare system as someone who helped shape the strategic plan and as someone who has been a hospital patient.

Stahl said he spent a lot of time at the hospital while his parents received care. He got to know a lot about how the hospital functions and became involved in the patient-family advisory committee to learn more.

One of several people to speak formally at the launch, Stahl said the strategic plan guides the healthcare system to go beyond what most people expect from hospital.

“It’s about delivering care that is not only safe and evidence based, but also deeply personal, compassionate and inclusive,” Stahl said. “We’re committed to empowering patients and families to be co-creators of this care.”

Stahl said the patient-family advisory program is advancing culturally to ensure safe healthcare of Indigenous patients and families.

“We want to make sure that everyone who walks through out doors feels seen, respected and cared for.”

The launch, held at BGH, began and ended with an Indigenous ceremony. It included several speakers and was led by Dave Diegel, chair of the healthcare system’s board of directors, and Bonnie Camm, the healthcare system’s president and CEO.

“Our vision, Leading Beyond Care, is our commitment to go above and beyond to advance health and well-being for everyone in our community,” Camm said. “This means breaking down barriers, meeting people where they are and ensuring every individual has access to the care and support they need to thrive in our community.

“By working closely with health partners and community providers and local organizations we’re building a seamless patient network that puts people first.”

Camm said the healthcare system is going beyond treating illness to lay the groundwork for lasting health and well-being.

The strategic plan, which covers 2025 to 2030, is based on four pillars – patients, people, partnerships and progress.

Camm said the healthcare system is committed to making sure no one is left behind especially the community’s most vulnerable citizens.

Diegel said the healthcare system has worked diligently with staff, volunteers, physicians, patients and community partners to create a shared path forward. It’s a path that reflects the hopes, challenges and responsibilities of the healthcare system.

“Today, we’re not just launching a new direction,” Diegel said. “We’re making a promise, a promise to grow with our community, to lead with purpose and to always put patients first.

“We’re thinking bigger, acting bolder and planning for the future.”

Read the article on The Brantford Expositor's website. 

Photo: Harold Stahl and Anna Maynard with a copy of Leading Beyond Care, the Brant Community Healthcare System's new five-year strategic plan. which was announced Thursday.

Credit: photo and article by Vincent Ball at The Brantford Expositor