SCOPE
Summer 2002
Vol. 9, No. 3

News & Views

STROKE SURVIVORS SWIM THEIR WAY TO FITNESS
The Dovercourt Pool is home to the Post-Stroke Swim program where stroke survivors, including family members, enjoy a 45-minute recreational aquafit class. The classes are designed to help the participants maintain their muscular strength and flexibility. “Exercising in the water reduces my fear of falling, which helps me regain confidence in my physical abilities,” says Roy Hayter, a Post-Stroke Swim program participant.

Five years ago, the SCO Health Service formed a partnership with the Dovercourt Recreation Centre and created the program with five to eight participants registered in each class. At that time, classes were given during the winter months only. The program’s popularity grew exponentially over the years and today, the classes are offered year-round every Tuesday and Thursday for up to 30 participants.

Stroke survivors gain confidence, improve their balance, build stamina and endurance, and develop a social network by participating in the Post-Stroke Swim program. “There is such a friendly atmosphere at the Dovercourt pool—the staff and the participants make the program extremely enjoyable for everyone,” says Roy.

THE CAMBRIDGE KIDS
The Cambridge Kids, a group of volunteers from Saint-Vincent Hospital, meet every three months to share experiences and anecdotes about their work at the hospital and their personal lives. This began as a ritual about three years ago when six or seven volunteers got together for dinner. Today, this group has expanded to about 15 volunteers and the night out begins with dinner at a local restaurant followed by a little gambling at the casino. They decided to get together so they could get to know one another and make volunteering at Saint-Vincent Hospital feel a little more like family. All Saint-Vincent Hospital volunteers are welcomed to join the group. For more information, please call Stu Higdon at (613) 749-7401.

PATIENT/RESIDENT RELATIONS: AN OPEN DOOR POLICY
In a continuing effort to improve patient care and services, the SCO Health Service has created the position of Director of Patient/Resident Relations. This position has been established to assist patients and families negotiate the often complicated process of having their concerns heard and addressed as well as to regularly monitor satisfaction surveys and ensure appropriate follow-up on the results. The role of the Director of Patient/Resident Relations has been joined to the Mission Effectiveness portfolio and is rooted in the mission and core values of the organization. Specifically:

• Each patient and/or family is treated with respect and all concerns are taken seriously.
• The entire process is handled with compassion for both the patient and family member, as well as for other parties who may be involved in the situation.
• The rights of both patient/resident and families as well as staff are respected during the entire process.
• The Director of Patient/Resident Relations remains impartial and respects the confidentiality of the patient/resident and family as well as the staff at all times.
• The patient/resident and family are kept informed in a timely and efficient manner of the results of any enquiry.

The responsibility to listen respectfully to all concerns and complaints belongs to all staff. When concerns cannot be resolved through regular channels, the Director of Patient/Resident Relations is available to hear those concerns. Margaret Love can be reached at (613) 562-6078.

SENIOR CITIZENS’ MONTH
Dr. S. Pierre Soucie, Chief of Staff and Vice-President of Learning, was the MC for a special event to kick off Senior Citizens’ Month on June 11, 2002, at City Hall. Ottawa Mayor Bob Chiarelli proclaimed June as Senior Citizens’ Month and announced a new partnership between the SCO Health Service, the Regional Geriatric Assessment Program, the City of Ottawa, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, the United Way, and the Council on Aging, as well as several other seniors and community organizations. The purpose of the partnership is to develop a new agenda for seniors—ensuring that services are available to promote their independence and quality of life.

SCO HEALTH SERVICE “ON THE MOVE”
From June 5-18, 2002, the SCO Health Service completed a complicated series of patient, staff, and equipment moves between two of its three sites. In Complex Continuing Care, 45 patients moved from the Élisabeth Bruyère Health Centre to Saint-Vincent Hospital. In Rehabilitation, 98 patients moved from Saint-Vincent Hospital to the Élisabeth Bruyère Health Centre. Approximately 300 staff were also affected. The decision to consolidate 348 Complex Continuing Care patients at Saint-Vincent Hospital and 98 Rehabilitation patients at the Élisabeth Bruyère Health Centre was made at the provincial level by the Health Services Restructuring Commission in its final report in 1998. In the long run, consolidating patients with similar care needs at the same site will lead to a greater stability for all concerned and more efficiency in the provision of care.

BOARD MEMBER PROFILE
Robert Major holds a Bachelor’s degree in Arts, a Licence en lettres françaises, along with a Ph.D. (Lettres françaises) from the University of Ottawa.

He is a Full Professor in the Lettres françaises Department at the University of Ottawa. He previously held the position of Chair of this department (1989 to 1995), was Associate Dean (Research) in the Faculty of Arts (1996-2001), and today is Vice-Rector (Academic) of the University.

Robert Major is an authoritative voice in French-Canadian literary criticism. From 1987 to 1999, he was essay-columnist for the scholarly journal Voix et images—the only learned journal exclusively dedicated to Quebec literature. He has authored a number of studies on Quebec literature including four books, two collective volumes, and approximately 80 articles in major journals here and abroad. His books have been critically acclaimed and received major literary prizes (Prix France-Québec, Prix Henry-Desjardins, Prix Champlain, and twice the Prix Gabrielle-Roy). He is a member of the Royal Society of Canada (Académie des lettres et des sciences humaines).

Robert was born in the Temiskaming region of Northern Ontario and now resides in the Outaouais area. He is married to Marie-Claire Guindon and has four children.

SCOPE
Summer 2002
Vol. 9, No. 3