Editor:
Re: letter to the editor, published in Lakes District News edition of Aug.3, 2011,“Working in a closet, an open letter to Michael McMillan, chief operating officer for Northern Health”
I would like to take this opportunity to respond to concerns raised in Mr. Armstrong’s recent letter to the editor about the nursing staff working environment and also about food service at Lakes District Hospital.
Northern Health values its dedicated nursing staff and is committed to providing safe and appropriate work environments for all staff.
Recent changes to the nursing work spaces at the hospital have been made in consultation with nursing staff and with the approval and support of the College of Registered Nurses of B.C.
The new lay out features room for educational and clinical resources, inter-disciplinary meetings and other supports for professional practice, while separating clinical work space from non-clinical, break areas.
The new space created for break purposes, while small, is intended to be used primarily by nursing staff who, on scheduled, staggered breaks cannot leave their post to access the hospital’s cafeteria after hours.
Consultation with staff about the changes and further improvements is on going.
Food service is another area where Northern Health staff work hard to provide patients and long term care clients with high quality, nutritious meals.
This is provided through a core menu program, that offers a range of menu choices.
The menu is altered in response to feedback we receive from a variety of sources, including feedback from patients.
I must clarify that the food is not prepared in Vancouver to arrive in the hospital kitchen in a frozen state.
While some frozen foods are used at the Lakes District Hospital, the kitchen staff continue to make some dishes from scratch.
They cook items like roasts and chicken on site.
As always, anyone with concerns about Northern Health programs and services is encouraged to bring them to the attention of their local health administrators.
Sincerely,
Michael McMillan