Haliburton Highlands Health Services (HHHS) president and CEO Veronica Nelson has expressed confidence in the organization balancing its books by spring 2025.

Speaking at HHHS’ annual general meeting June 27, Nelson said the local health service ended its 2023/24 fiscal year March 31 with a $2.3 million operational deficit – down from $4.2 million at the end of the 2022/23 fiscal year.

Having found $1.9 million in savings over the past 12 months, Nelson said she and the board have a plan to eliminate HHHS’ working debt for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We anticipate getting very close to balanced at the end of this fiscal year,” Nelson said.

“We have been doing an incredible amount of advocacy with Ontario Health, Ministry of Health, and Ministry of Long-Term Care. Everybody knows what Haliburton is saying – they’re tired of hearing my story… I’m expecting some additional relief and a good adjustment to our [funding] problem that we’ve had for several years.”

New chief financial officer, Ulvi IskhagiBayat, said HHHS’ revenues increased by $3.2 million last year, though expenses went up $1.9 million. The organization’s capital deficit, largely accounting for planned facility upgrades and equipment purchases, now sits at $6.5 million – up from $4.5 million.

Demand for services poised to grow

The repealing of Bill 124 – legislation introduced by the Ford government in 2019 to cap wage increases for healthcare workers to one per cent annually but deemed unconstitutional by the Ontario Appeal Court in February – cost HHHS approximately $3.5 million, though new board chair, Irene Odell, said the province funded 85 per cent.

Changes to the board makeup was announced at the meeting, where it was decided there should be 16 to 18 sitting members.

Odell announced seven board members are returning to complete already committed terms, John Herald and Don Pierson were reappointed for three-year terms, Michael Tambosso appointed as a new member for one year, Dr. Connie Phillipson for two years, and Dr. Clifford Ottaway and Al Aubry for three years.

Nelson confirmed she, chief of staff Dr. Keith Hay, and chief nursing executive Jennifer Burns-West, also sit on the board, while the County of Haliburton’s two sitting representatives for the year were confirmed as warden and Algonquin Highlands mayor Liz Danielsen and Dysart et al mayor Murray Fearrey.

Year in statistics

Despite the shuttering of the Minden emergency department last summer, Nelson said more patients are being treated at HHHS facilities – accounting for services provided by the Kawartha North Family Health Team, Para-Med, and SE Health through the urgent care and community nursing clinics.

The number of emergency department visits dropped 29 per cent, down to 17,480 in 2023/24 from 24,701 the previous year. There were 4,479 urgent care clinic visits and 515 community nursing clinic visits – though Nelson noted these are partial numbers, with both services only available for part of the fiscal year.

She noted increases in total patient admissions, up 12 per cent, and number of days spent in the hospital, up to 5,116 from 4,549. Occupancy for the 15 inpatient beds at the Haliburton hospital was 93.2 per cent for the year.

“That means the patients we’re seeing are sicker and need more care than just an emergency visit,” Nelson said, noting the Haliburton site is currently at 146 per cent occupancy.

There were increases across the board in diagnostics – the number of X-ray exams increased 28 per cent (10,440 from 8,138), ultrasound exams up 19 per cent (2,054 from 1,731), echocardiography exams up 117 per cent (405 from 187) and bone density exams up eight per cent (492 from 457).

Nurses completed 30,311 point of care tests, up 24 per cent, and sent a further 10,592 blood tests to the regional lab in Peterborough, an increase of 14 per cent.

The hospital also recorded 1,865 mental health and addictions visits, 2,554 geriatric assessment and intervention network (GAIN) visits and assisted 1,842 diabetes patients. Another 765 people received physiotherapy care.

It was a busy year for the HHHS community support services team, Nelson noted. The operation helped 462 clients attend 9,554 appointments last year, while 21,400 meals were delivered via the Meals on Wheels initiative. There were 492 hospice client visits, and 650 footcare clinic appointments.

Clients received 18,235 hours of care through the assisted living, supportive housing, and adult day program initiatives.

HHHS Foundation executive director, Melanie Klodt Wong, said the Highlands community made 1,809 donations throughout the year, with $607,236 transferred to HHHS for things like automated IV pumps, which automatically deliver medication to patients – eliminating errors.

What the future holds

Nelson said she wants to build on the momentum HHHS has developed over the past 12 months.

After hiring 80 new staff last year, reducing the reliance on agency staff to near zero, Nelson said she expects that pattern to continue. Updated hiring practices allowed HHHS to bring new staff in up to two months quicker than before.

“In Q1, hiring took 84 days. By Q4, we had reduced it to 35 days,” Nelson said.

She noted a new five-year strategic plan and multi-year master plan outline clear targets for HHHS future growth. Projections for the 2049/50 fiscal year – 25 years away – see HHHS more than doubling its capacity in some areas.

They’re anticipating the number of emergency visits increasing approximately 15 per cent, though inpatient admissions are expected to grow to 1,163 – an approximate 120 per cent increase, with the number of diagnostic exams expected to spike to 31,556 from 13,350.

Nelson said the master plan projects an increase in inpatient beds at HHHS over the next 25 years, up to 41 from 15, while the number of long-term care beds is expected to grow from 92 to 256.

Asked if HHHS can handle this anticipated increased workload at its current facilities, Nelson said it’s too early to tell.

“We have submitted our pre-capital submission on our master plan to the ministry. That’s basically telling them we want to plan… they’ve asked that question too. How do we get ready for 25 years from now? We do it together with our community. We figure out what we do today that we’re going to need 25 years from now,” Nelson said, noting there will be extensive community consultation to “map for the future.”

Members of MP for HaliburtonKawartha Lakes-Brock Jamie Schmale’s team, and MPP for Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock, Laurie Scott, took time out of their schedules to be with seniors June 26.

The annual seniors’ seminar was held at the Haliburton Legion.

Heather Hume, one of the organizers, said it’s “interesting to seniors in the area because it allows them to hear from different people, we call them vendors, they’re not selling anything, we bring in groups that are important to them in their day-to-day life.”

Members of the OPP were on hand to give a presentation on fraud and scams. Community legal clinics were also available. Booths included the Canada Revenue Agency, to talk about tax clinics and filing services. Service Canada, and a number of health organizations, including the Canadian Mental Health Association, Haliburton Highlands Health Services, and the Alzheimer’s Society, were on hand.

Scott said, “each year, we have engaged with our seniors, offering them a chance to come together with community groups and learn about local programs. For almost 20 years, these seminars have offered great resources to our beloved seniors.”

The County of Haliburton hired a consultant for an IT digital strategy – and what that means for the public is a focus on customers, with a goal of making their experience, “simple, easy, and consistent.”

This will resonate with people paying taxes, getting development approvals, licenses and permits, registering for recreation programs, and simply getting their questions answered.

Perry Group Consulting presented its findings, and recommendations, during a June 26 council meeting.

Ben Perry said, “since COVID 19, when people were forced to use online services, customers have learned and now want online convenience. A significant portion of customers want to interact online. A recent ICCS study shows that over 76 per cent of Canadians have interacted and prefer to interact with their governments.”

He added, “in Haliburton County, where there is a significant portion of second homes, the ability to interact online is considered critically important.”

He noted technology can help municipalities with their work, for example, using connected sensors, or vehicle-mounted cameras, to monitor roadway conditions, water leaks, and even full garbage cans.

Perry said technology, when done right, can make things more efficient and better. It can also be cheaper, with Perry saying face-toface interactions cost $15-30, phone $5 but online $1. The strategy emanated from the services delivery review.

He said good IT can reduce the turnaround on development approvals, speed up the number of building inspections and work orders, and reduce customer complaints. Not investing in IT can waste taxpayer dollars.

In surveying staff, Perry said they are satisfied with devices, connectivity and user support but only 64 per cent are satisfied with current online services, “suggesting a need for better online service delivery and technology training to enhance digital experience and customer service.”

He said while most municipalities are pushing more services online, it’s largely limited to PDF forms. “End-to-end digital processes for planning applications, service requests, and complaints are absent. There’s a need for improvement in social media management, alerts and subscriptions, engagement, and ideation.”

He said they could add five positions across the County (for the five governments and library service) and are not spending enough on IT.

Perry said the challenge is customers expect speed, convenience, and online access, available from anywhere 24/7/365 to municipal services that are on par with their bank, the retailers they deal with, the CRA or renewing a driver’s licence.

He suggested a budget impact of about $240,000 into 2026, which would include hiring two staff at the County, and part-time IT people for Minden Hills and Highlands East.

Warden Liz Danielsen said she was all for, “making life easier and hopefully less expensive for all of our taxpayers.”

Coun. Murray Fearrey asked, with each township at a different stage of its IT, how would they get on the same page? Director of IT, Mike March said, “we pick a solution, and then eventually, when time comes, everybody aligns with it.” Fearrey said if they can be assured there are cost savings in IT spending, it will be an easier sell.

Coun. Bob Carter said “in trying to get all sorts of people to agree on something, as we have witnessed many times in the County, that hasn’t always been successful.”

CAO Gary Dyke said upper management would work to advance change.

Perry said it is, “a bit like herding cats, and people will go off and do their own things, and one of the things we’re looking for from council is an endorsement of this strategy.” He said that would empower senior management to lead the charge. He added there would be regular check-ins for accountability. Dyke suggested quarterly reporting, including variance.

Council adopted the strategy in principle, and Perry will be presenting to the four lower-tier townships

Sixty-two Archie Stouffer Elementary School students crossed the stage June 24 to receive their school diplomas from their Grade 8 teachers.

Principal Mike Gervais said, “it was an amazing year to watch our Grade 8’s grow and thrive. It is with great joy we celebrate their accomplishments this evening.”

Trustee Gary Brohman was unable to attend, so Gervais read his remarks to grads. Brohman honoured them for their hard work and reaching the milestone. “It wasn’t always easy, but here you are. And high school lays ahead, with many new adventures and many new friends.”

His nuggets of wisdom included, “always do your best. Be kind, be humble, and grateful for what you have. Be honest with yourself and others and just do what’s right.”

Vice principal Michelle Kernohan told grads, “life isn’t only about a job or a specific career path. It’s less about what you want to be, and more about who you want to be. The values you want to uphold, the impact you want to make, and the relationships you want to build.”

She added, “your personal values are your compass, guiding you through life, empowering you to make the right decisions and shaping the person you become. Will you be someone who stands up for justice and equality? Will you be known for your kindness and compassion towards others? Will you approach challenges with resilience and determination? The world needs people like you, and I believe that wholeheartedly. Your actions, no matter how small, have the potential to make a significant impact. Please continue to just be good humans. Ultimately, you guys have the power to change the world.”

Grade 8 teachers Joel Vaughan, Angela Pilgrim and Cheryl Patterson did the traditional address of a poem, concluding with, “we sure grow them good in Minden.”

Valedictorian Jadyn Hamilton said he’d had an “amazing” 10 years at ASES. “It has been a phenomenal part of our lives.” He said the only bad time was online learning during the COVID years but, “these last two years have been such a blast.”

He concluded, “I’m so sad I am leaving and am going to miss this place. I will always remember where I started my journey. I will always be a wildcat.”

Students at Wilberforce Elementary School have said goodbye to another school year – and are celebrating the arrival of summer vacation following their graduation ceremony June 26.

The parents of the graduating class of 2024 cheered for their kids while seated in the Lloyd Watson Memorial Community Centre.

The 13, Grade 8 grads were decked out in green graduation gowns and caps, and sat at the front of the room along with the grads from Grades 4, 5, 6 and 7, who were also honoured.

The soon-to-be high school students collected their diplomas, and awards were given out, including for citizenship, academic achievement, and leadership.

Dave Burton, mayor of Highlands East, said, “we look forward to seeing you off to bigger and better things next September”.

Valedictorians Andra Brad and Mia Alden reminisced and talked about looking forward to high school. “We will never forget all the memorable moments. I can’t wait to see all the things we will accomplish in the years to come,” Alden said.

The ceremony ended with a video tribute to the graduating Grade 8 class.

Director of education for Trillium Lakelands District School Board, Wes Hahn, highlighted some “great” events in the 202324 school year in his end-of-year video. They included Day of Paint, Pride month, the second annual Pow Wow and drum social, and the Better Together Arts Showcase.

J. Douglas Hodgson Elementary School principal David Waito identified two challenges facing teenagers in society right now.

During his graduation greetings June 25, he said there’d been an increase in teenage loneliness. During adolescence, he said brains rewire for social connection. He said ties to friends should be increasing in importance and depth.

“Yet, so many teenagers these days are reporting feeling more and more lonely. And I think this is worrisome.”

He said technology has created the ability to connect more than ever before, sitting on our couches using social media to interact with people in Australia, Calgary and Ottawa.

“But I think the problem here is I’m sitting on my couch. I’m not with my friends.” He added virtual connections are not a substitute for “the real thing.” He said students have to get off the couch, go out with each other, laugh, make mistakes, and get into a little bit of trouble, “or we are going to get lonely. Because Instagram followers are not really friends.”

He urged them to make their next four years at Hal High about seeing each other in real life… “making real connections with each other…” He said that should help with the second challenge facing teens – school attendance. “High school does have so much to offer. You’ve got to be there, and you have to be involved to make it happen.”

Waito congratulated the class of 2024 saying, “we are all so proud of you.” He lauded their efforts, perseverance, and achievements, and advised them to not just let life happen to them, but work hard to earn their futures.

Valedictorian Luke Gruppe said it had been a fun time but that it had gone by fast. He quoted a famous line from the movie Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”

He said some of the highlights were a three-day trip to Montreal, a ski trip to Sir Sam’s, and treetop trekking.

He lauded teachers, and went on to say why he thinks JDH is such an “exceptional school.” He noted the closeness to Haliburton village, a nearby high school track, running trails behind the school, and a well-used gym.

However, “what truly defines JDH over these past five years is its people. The students and faculty here have demonstrated kindness, care, and support for one another.”