Transforming Care

Technology is transforming the world around us, improving our connections and enhancing our access to services we never thought possible a generation ago.

The same is true in health care. Medical science is evolving with shocking speed. We can see the opportunities ahead, and we’re preparing our hospital for a transition that will forever change the way patients receive care in the Kawartha Lakes.

To embrace this transformation, we are putting in place the building blocks of a new system – one that incorporates our patients’ health information records and digitally connects them to medical technology and tools, so that every test and every treatment is noted in real time and available to patients and their healthcare team.

As we modernize our hospital to new standards, we are also growing our hospital’s critical care capacity to meet the needs of our rapidly growing community. This is a massive effort – one we’ve been anticipating for years.

With the future at our doorstep, we invite you to join us in this exciting journey. Together, we will ignite a technological revolution and transform care in our community.

With you, the possibilities are infinite.

Thank you for giving us this opportunity to paint you a picture of a bright future.

What trends are impacting the Ross and Community?

Ross Memorial is the only hospital in the City of Kawartha Lakes, serving acute and continuing care needs for a catchment population of approximately 80,000, with the closest regional hospital more than 45 kilometres away.

Community Growth

• More than 200 separate subdivision plans are on the books within the catchment area served by Ross Memorial. Our community footprint is growing, and fast.
• With the current exodus out of Toronto, people are looking to live, work and raise families in communities with high-quality services and a topquality hospital. This campaign will position the community for growth.
• Ross Memorial is situated in the heart of cottage country where the population swells by approximately 20% (more than 15,000 people) in the summer months due to visiting tourists and cottage owners.
• We are experiencing a 25% increase in winter population, as more seniors are wintering in the Kawartha Lakes rather than travelling.

Aging Population

• Our region’s high population of seniors requires more hospital services and a high level of care as a result of their complex medical needs.
• The Baby Boomers are retiring, and they need hospital services. They are living longer with chronic conditions requiring multiple interventions. Cancer survival rates are going up. We need to deliver care to a changing population.

Attracting the Best People

• Prior to the launch of the phased implementation of the clinical information system, physicians who came to the hospital as ‘locum’ (or short term) support consistently rated their experience highly, but they also consistently identify lack of technology as a #1 source of dissatisfaction.
• Over the next 10 years, attracting the best people is a key priority. The Ross will not be competitive if it does not continue to modernize technology to support digital care.