The administration at the St Joseph’s Mercy Hospital in Guyana is in the process of formulating marketing and strategic plans to address a Guy $24M (TT$720,000) loss and a number of other challenges faced by the institution in 2008.

This was reported by Conrad Plummer, chairman of the board of directors, at the hospital’s 65^th AGM on August 18.

St. Joseph Mercy Hospital – sometimes called the Catholic Hospital - is a non-profit organisation providing a 24 hours a day-seven days a week health care service. Its main sponsor has been the Sisters of Mercy almost since its establishment 63 years ago.

The $24M deficit includes the write off of a $16M (TT$480,000) investment with Clico Life and General Insurance Company. It was noted that in 2009 Clico was put under judicial management and its freehold properties were subsequently advertised for sale. Due to uncertainties concerning Clico’s future, the $16M investment was considered impaired and written off.

St Joseph’s Mercy Hospital

The huge deficit was also due to increasing competition, a decrease in the number of outpatients despite and increase in admissions, and the global economic downturn.

In his report entitled “Mission, Money, Change and Challenges”, Plummer noted that change came to the hospital in 2008 against a background of the global economic meltdown and an increased level in competition at home and abroad. He noted that the hospital’s regular sources of donations and other resources are contracting while locally more hospitals are available for the public to choose from.

Plummer - who replaced long standing chairman David Yhann, who opted not to be reelected - felt that as the organisation goes forward it needs to build long standing social contracts with its own unionised staff and create environments that encourage personal growth and effective communications.

The chairman said he was confident that the challenges will be met as the hospital continues to fulfill its mission of service to the poor and under privileged.

CEO Helen Browman said the average length of stay remained the same as many persons did not want to stay in the hospital longer than they should because of the cost factor. She said while there were substantial decreases in the use of the hospital services like X-ray, consultations, ECG, emergency room visits, ultrasounds, MRI and CT scans, there was an increase in newborns after the maternity wing reopened in January 2008.

Browman replaced Mercy Sister, Sr Sheila, who left in November to take up another appointment in the United States after being in Guyana for eight years.

Human resources development continued for all the staff as there was in-house training on team building for all staff. The results were reflected in in-patient survey reports, which showed an improved level of quality and service offered to patients.

The hospital also carried out a number of renovations thanks to many kind donors, and expanded its intranet, with more departments being added. Browman said this has improved inter-departmental communications and information sharing.

Browman ended that “despite the many challenges that lie ahead for the hospital we continue to believe that there is a place in Guyana for St Joseph Mercy Hospital as we fulfill God’s mission to serve and look after the poor and needy of Guyana.”

- edited from Catholic Standard