The COVID-19 pandemic posed an unprecedented challenge to healthcare in 2020.
Looking back on the regional health authority’s response to the first 10 months of COVID-19, Prairie Mountain Health CEO Penny Gilson feels they’ve done pretty well overall managing the pandemic.
She highlighted the establishment of contact tracing, testing sites, and distributing personal protective equipment (PPE) across such a large geographical area.
Gilson acknowledged the hard work of healthcare staff who have had to change schedules, work overtime, and be redeployed to other areas, “all the while dealing with their own personal pressures we all have faced to some degree during the pandemic.”
“The biggest challenge was for the healthcare staff, but also the biggest success was the staff that did what needed to be done,” said Gilson.
Looking Ahead To 2021
The issue of staffing shortages, particularly in smaller rural communities, will remain a focal point in the year ahead. Staffing shortages have led to the suspension of services at several rural health centres in 2020.
Gilson says PMH needs to be relentless in their recruitment and retention initiatives at the regional level to address staffing shortages.
“I’d say the biggest challenge is in these smaller rural communities … it’s going to take work from a lot of different parties.”
She says prior to the pandemic, Shared Health had been working to address the issue by taking the lead on the development and implementation of a human resource plan.
“Hopefully on the other side of the COVID we can get back to doing that necessary work — and a robust health human resource plan is apart of that.”
Gilson highlights PMH’s use of local training programs, adding that “people who have roots here are more likely to stay in a rural community.” She says PMH meets with any and all students in the healthcare field to make them aware of the opportunities across Prairie Mountain.
“Hopefully if everybody works together we’ll see more stability in the years ahead.”
Gilson To Retire From CEO Role In April
Penny Gilson is stepping down as CEO of Prairie Mountain Health in April 2021 -- after over 20 years in the role.
"It’s time for me to take a step back and let someone else come in and see what that future brings.”
She says it feels like the right time for her, and tells CKDM she’s looking forward to spending time with friends and family — once public health orders enable her to do so — and is also excited about a new granddaughter added to the family in November.
