Northumberland Hills Hospital Budget Is In Good Shape

Pete Fisher
3 years ago
• Categories: Local

By Cecilia Nasmith/Today’s Northumberland
Northumberland Hills Hospital has many worries – but the one about staying within its budget is not a concern just now.

Reporting on behalf of the finance committee at the hospital board’s April meeting, Tom McLean made a motion to transfer $3-million to the restricted surplus account to support the hospital’s Clinical Information System.

“We started putting funds aside two years ago for the CIS,” McLean reminded his colleagues.

“This year the hospital, fortunately, is in a position where we have surplus funds and we want to do so again.”

It will be designated for CIS and Other Capital Expenses, McLean continued, because there is another major expense on the horizon – a new roof for the 18-year-old hospital estimated at more than $1-million.

“We felt it was prudent at this point to put money aside and not have it clearly tied to the CIS. Clearly most of the money will go that way, but whatever is required for the roof will be directed toward it.”

NHH President and Chief Executive Officer Linda Davis said the roof work is actually estimated at $2.5-million, and she said a submission has been made to the Hospital Infrastructure Renewal Fund.

If the money comes through “by some slim chance,” there are a number of other capital projects that also need attention.

A board member of long standing, chairwoman Pam Went was delighted by the discussion.

“It’s a great situation to be in,” Went said.

“Those of us who have been around for a while find it unusual and unique having the kind of surplus Linda and her team are managing to create.”

A similar discussion came up subsequently when Dave Slater reported on the board policy annual review. Davis said the investment policy will be reviewed in depth by the finance committee, as the hospital is in a position of actually having money to invest.