The overall staff vacancy rate at the two hospitals in Chatham-Kent is getting better.
Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) CEO Lori Marshall told reporters at a news conference on Monday that the latest staff vacancy rate at CKHA as of October 1, 2023 was 5.8 per cent, according to the latest data released by the Ontario Hospital Association (OHA).
The staff vacancy rate at CKHA was 6.67 per cent in June 2023, down from 7.97 per cent in March 2023, and 8.1 per cent in the summer of 2022.
CKHA is comprised of approximately 1,400 staff and 200 physicians.
The overall average staff vacancy rate across the province is 8.11 per cent, according to the OHA.
The OHA also reported vacancy rates for Registered Nurses (RNs) at CKHA is 9.76 per cent compared to the provincial average of 14.78 per cent for RNs.
The average vacancy rate for RNs reported by the Ontario Hospital Association as of March 2023 was 15.46 per cent compared to the lower CKHA average of 11.04 per cent.
"We continue to have this major focus in our organization. Certainly, a cyberattack is something that's a bit of a challenge, but we as an organization will get through this stronger and continue to be, in our minds, a destination of choice for individuals looking for a place to either work or practice." Marshall said.
Meanwhile, the cyberattack in late October 2023 has delayed community engagement for the $25 million redevelopment of the Wallaceburg hospital.
CKHA's Chief Financial Officer Aaron Ryan said the steering committee meeting that was set for October is now scheduled for the first week of March 2024.
Ryan said the steering committee will brainstorm ideas of what's needed at the Wallaceburg hospital in March and then seek feedback from the community in the months following and consider them.
CKHA is still waiting for provincial approval to move to the next phase of the redevelopment project in Wallaceburg.
