The Miramichi Regional Health Authority Board of Directors held its monthly regular meeting September 20, 2004 at the Miramichi Regional Hospital. The following are highlights of the meetings:

1.     Board Approves Budget

The Board accepted the Finance Committee's recommendation to approve the 2004 - 2005 operating budget at a deficit of $1,317,749. This budget includes $627,595 associated with implementing phase one of the Health Authority's Health and Business Plan. New programs associated with the Health and Business Plan include a regional diabetes program, a cardiac rehabilitation program, additional social workers in the emergency department and high schools, installation of permanent pacemakers, and a community wellness newsletter.

It was also reported that the Health Authority ended the month of July with an operating deficit of $198,260 as a result of increased costs associated with a whooping cough outbreak that occurred in the spring. This includes costs associated with increased security, overtime, and additional respiratory therapy kits.

 
2.     Recruitment

The Health Authority was pleased to announce that it had successfully recruited a full-time pharmacist and is currently recruiting for two additional full-time pharmacists. Recruitment is continuing for an internal medicine specialist, family practitioners, speech language pathologists, physiotherapists and an audiologist.

 
3. Regional Diabetes Program

The Regional Diabetes Program will be formally put in place on October 4th with Jacqueline Kerr as the program co-ordinator. This program will ensure greater co-ordination of diabetes services for in-patients and outpatients as well as community outreach aimed at diabetes prevention. This program is part of phase one of the organisation's Health and Business Plan.

 4. Miramichi Walking Challenge

The second annual Miramichi Walking Challenge will be launched on Sunday October 3rd at 3 PM from the Lindon Recreation Centre in Miramichi. The launch includes a walk through the downtown area accompanied by a marching band and a police escort. Walking records for participants to record their distance walked will be distributed during the event with the goal of having 1000 participants. Additional information will also be available through the regional flyer distribution package delivered to each household in the region and sponsoring businesses.