The Penetanguishene General Hospital

Description

The North Simcoe Hospital Alliance is the voluntary partnership of Huronia District Hospital in Midland and Penetanguishene Hospital

MidlandPenetanguishene is located in historic Huronia on beautiful Georgian Bay 90 minutes north of Toronto The Alliance offers services comparable to other community hospitals in the province supporting the general health care needs of our patients Transport and referral to regional services in Orillia Barrie Newmarket and Toronto is available when needed As well Telehealth video conferencing services are available for consultation and education

At Huronia District Hospital in Midland services include inpatient medicine general surgery outpatient day surgery 24hour emergency service diagnostic imaging including radiology ultrasound and CT scan pharmacy respiratory therapy physiotherapy and ambulatory care

Penetanguishene Hospital offers complex continuing care a regional rehabilitation program and day hospital including physiotherapy occupational therapy and speech pathology outpatient clinics diagnostic imaging including radiology ultrasound and bone densitometry and an 8station dialysis unit

Both hospitals are pursuing ambitious computerization programs to ensure the availability of up to date medical information technology

History

The Penetanguishene Hospital has a culture rich in history faith love and service dating back to the very beginning of the healing ministry in Canada In the heart of what is known as Huronia French voyagers traveled as early as 1610 soon to be followed by Jesuits missionaries who brought the gospel message and established their healing ministry opening the first hospital in Ontario at Ste Marie Among the Hurons

In the early 1900s a diphtheria epidemic struck and the need for adequate hospital services and accommodations became clear A small group of public spirited individuals along with the towns physicians saw their dream become a reality when on April 14 1911 The Penetanguishene Hospital was incorporated In 1912 a School of Nursing was established and continued in operation until 1929

The hospital was a community resource that to which the community was deeply committed Records reveal that board members physicians auxiliary and townspeople contributed in a very real way often providing personal services or quotchipping inquot to help pay staff wages However in spite of the commitment the hospitals financial status remained precarious at best and by the early 1940s the board recognized it couldnt continue

The parish priest at the time Monsignor Jean Castex was familiar with the health care apostolate of the Grey Sisters of the Immaculate Conception and on behalf of the town invited the Sisters to take over the operation of the hospital Agreement was reached between the two parties and on Aug 15 1942 six Sisters arrived

With the Sisters came the promise to serve It was to be a cooperative venture that united two cultures rich in community and service and dedicated to the provision of health care in the community The Sisters worked without remuneration and aided by a more buoyant local economy the financial picture improved in a few years While laboratory services new equipment and a radiology service were added it became apparent that services could not be maintained in the original facility and in 1946 plans for a new hospital began

The financing of a new hospital in the days before universal health care in Canada was a major undertaking Monsignor Castex and an energetic committee spearheaded the fund raising drive obtained the required provincial approval purchased the land and arranged much of the financing for the project Local municipalities service clubs churches and private citizens contributed heavily in time money and effort towards the success of the project and the new hospital was officially opened on July 25 1954 truly a modern health care facility to serve the municipalities of Penetanguishene Elmvale and surrounding townships

In 1953 the Grey Sisters agreed to operate the Hospital for an additional ten years and in 1963 when financial viability was again a problem the Sisters purchased the hospital from the town

The advent of universal health care meant increased availability of services to the public with demands for expanded facilities and the hospital has been well able to meet these needs Increased activity has resulted in two major expansions since 1954 the addition of a new emergency outpatient and physiotherapy unit in 1973 and a chronicrehabilitation unit in 1981

In 1981 the hospital entered into a formal agreement with the County of Simcoe for the establishment of a continuum of care between PH and the Georgian Manor

A successful 2 million capital campaign a new possible the development and construction of two major additions an imaging department with new state of the art imaging equipment an 11000 square foot addition which includes a new cafeteria purchasing and stores linen maintenance housekeeping staff lockers and pharmacy and a link connecting the hospital to the Georgian Manor These areas were opened in 1993 In September 1992 the hospital was approved by the Ministry of Health to operate as a regional rehabilitation centre and 15 beds were reclassified for this purpose

In December 1992 an historic agreement was signed by Huronia District Hospital and The Penetanguishene Hospital forming the North Simcoe Hospital Alliance voluntary partnership In 1996 role changes were completed and PGHs new role included long term care which would be provided through 36 complex continuing care beds the regional rehabilitation unit and community wellness services including diabetes resource diagnostic imaging specialist clinics dialysis and day hospital programs