Ontario appoints supervisor to oversee hospital in Renfrew, Ont.

Ontario has appointed a supervisor to oversee the Renfrew Victoria Hospital in Renfrew, Ont, after "concerning financial practices" were found during a review, according to the province.

The Ministry of Health announced Thursday morning that Altaf Stationwala will supervise the hospital to "strengthen its governance, accountability, and ability to deliver the best possible care to Ontarians."

"Mr. Stationwala will work closely with Renfrew Victoria Hospital’s CEO, the board of directors, and staff to address concerns regarding hospital governance and management practices, including concerning financial practices that were found as a result of a review conducted by Ontario Health and an independent third party," said a statement from the ministry.

The Ministry of Health and Ontario Health will receive regular updates from Stationwala, "leading to a final report that will help strengthen and improve the hospital's governance, accountability, finances and ability to deliver the best possible care to patients, and their families," says the province.

The Renfrew Victoria Hospital has 55 beds.

Concerning transactions with non-profit

Transactions between the hospital and a non-profit organization called Renfrew Health raised concerns, leading to the review, a source familiar with the issue told CTV News Ottawa.

Renfrew Health was created in 2014 "for the sole purpose of benefitting RVH," a public document about the organization says. The document says Renfrew Health's income is derived from rent at four addresses in Renfrew, parking revenues, Sleep Store net revenues, investment income, and foot care.

The document says RVH can request funds from Renfrew Health at any time for new projects, and cites "funds to recruit new physicians and fill vacancies" and "state-of-the art facilities and equipment to attract new physicians and staff" among the benefits Renfrew Health provides.

The appointed supervisor will be examining financial and business arrangements between the hospital and Renfrew Health to ensure public funds support hospital purposes.

The Renfrew Victoria Hospital offers surgical, medical and complex continuing care, with special in-patient services including a Special Care Unit, Palliative Care, and Pastoral Care. The hospital's ambulatory care program sees over 30,000 emergency and clinic visits per year.

The Renfrew Victoria Hospital says operations will continue as normal.

"The appointment of a supervisor at RVH will not impact the delivery of patient care nor services delivered by the hospital and does reflect the exceptional patient care provided by our physicians, nurses and staff each and every day," said a statement from the hospital.

A spokesperson for Health Minister Sylvia Jones says the appointment of a supervisor will not "impact the delivery of patient care nor affect services delivered by the hospital."

"The Ministry trusts that Mr. Stationwala’s leadership will ensure the delivery of high quality, connected care throughout this process."

The Renfrew Victoria Hospital is located approximately 90 kilometres west of downtown Ottawa.

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