The Board of Directors is responsible for the overall governance of the affairs of the hospital. Each director is responsible to act honestly, in good faith and in the best interests of the hospital and in so doing, to support the hospital in fulfilling its purpose and discharging its accountabilities.
Strategic Direction
- Consider key stakeholders and health care needs and engage with the community served, Ontario Health, and other health service providers when developing plans and setting priorities for the delivery of healthcare as required under the Connecting Care Act, 2019.
- Establish and periodically review the Corporation’s mission, vision, and values.
- Contribute to the development of and approve the strategic plan of the Corporation.
- Review the strategic plan as part of the regular annual planning cycle.
- Ensure that the Board’ decisions are consistent with, and in support of, the Corporation’s mission and strategic plan.
- Assess corporate performance regularly and ensure it aligns with the approved strategic plan and Board-approved performance indicators.
Leadership
- Select and appoint the CEO and the MAC Chair.
- Delegate responsibility and authority to the CEO for the management and operation of the Corporation and require accountability to the Board.
- Delegate responsibility and authority to the MAC Chair for the supervision of the Credentialed Professional Staff and require accountability to the Board.
- Establish annual performance objectives in cooperation with the CEO and the MAC Chair, assess the CEO’s and the MAC Chair’s performance annually and determine compensation.
- Review and approve the CEO succession plans for the senior management team, including compensation and executive development.
- Appoint medical leadership positions, on the recommendation of the CEO and the MAC Chair, in accordance with the Corporation’s by-laws and the Public Hospitals Act.
- Establish and monitor implementation of policies to provide the framework for the management and operation of the Corporation, including a safe and healthy workplace for employees in accordance with applicable law.
Program Quality and Effectiveness
- Annually review and approve the human resources plan for the Credentialed Professional Staff.
- Annually review the credentialing process for the Credentialed Professional Staff.
- Approve appointments, reappointments, and privileges for the Credentialed Professional Staff based on the human resources plan and review of recommendations by the Medical Advisory Committee.
- Provide oversight of the Credentialed Professional Staff through the MAC Chair and the Medical Advisory Committee and if necessary or advisable, effect the restriction, suspension, or revocation of privileges of any Credentialed Professional Staff member as provided under the Public Hospitals Act, following consideration of the Medical Advisory Committee’s recommendation.
- Review and approve a process and schedule for monitoring Board-approved performance metrics related to quality of care, patient safety, and organizational risk.
- Ensure that policies are in place to provide a framework for addressing ethical issues arising from clinical care, education, and research.
- Receive timely reports from the CEO on plans to address variances from performance standards and oversee implementation of the remediation plans.
Financial and Organizational Viability
- Review and approve the Hospital Annual Planning Submission including the capital and operating plans.
- Approve the H-SAA and monitor financial performance against the budget and performance indicators.
- Hold the CEO accountable to develop multi-year financial plans, optimize the use of resources, and operate within the H-SAA.
- Consider revenue diversification opportunities identified by management and monitor compliance of same.
- Review financial and organizational risks and risk mitigation plans regularly.
- Approve an investment policy and monitor compliance.
- Annually review the financial reporting process, management information systems, internal controls, and business continuity plans.
- Review quarterly financial reports and approve the annual audited financial statement.
Board Effectiveness
- Recruit Directors and, where appropriate, non-Director committee members, who are skilled, experienced, and committed to the Corporation and plan for the succession of Directors and Board officers.
- Ensure the establishment of a comprehensive Board orientation program and ongoing Board education.
- Establish Board goals and an annual work plan for the Board and its committees and ensure that the Board receives timely and appropriate information to support informed policy formulation, decision-making, and monitoring.
- Establish and periodically review policies concerning governance structures and processes to maximize the effective functioning of the Board.
- Establish a policy and process for evaluating the performance of the Board as a whole, of the committees, and of individual Directors that fosters continuous improvement.
Relationships
- Ensure that the Corporation builds and maintains strong relationships with the Ministry of Health and other government ministries in fulfilling its obligations under provincial policies and with Ontario Health in fulfilling the Corporation’s H-SAA.
- Ensure that the Corporation is fostering effective coordination of patient care and positive working relationships among the Credentialed Professional Staff, employees, and with other hospitals and community health service providers.
- Ensure that the Corporation builds and maintains positive relationships with the Foundations and the Research Institute, and that the Corporation supports (i) the Foundations in their fundraising activities, and (ii) the Research Institute in their research activities, as appropriate. Ensure that the Corporation builds and maintains good relationships with community stakeholders including volunteers, political leaders, and donors and related organizations.
- Ensure that the Corporation has a policy to enable it to communicate effectively with its stakeholders and the public generally.
