Health board looks at new policy

The Sunrise Health Region is working toward establishing a policy which would help deal with any issue of Board member non-performance.

"The Sunrise Regional Health Authority Board will enforce upon itself whatever improvement andéor discipline is needed to govern with excellence. Discipline will apply to matters such as attendance, preparation for meetings, policy making principles, respect of role, leading through our values, and ensuring the continuance of governance. Matters of a disciplinary nature will be addressed, monitored and carried out by the Board Chair if board non-performance is identified by a board peer, administration or the board chair," said Sunrise Health Region Suann Laurent, president and CEO, reading from the draft policy.

The idea of such a policy is somewhat unique, said Laurent, who noted when preparing the draft policy they found "not a lot of regions had that."

But the idea is a sound one, added Laurent,

"It's to ensure Board performance," she said.

The process being established would allow Board members to take their concerns over another member to the Chair in anonymity, and from that point the Chair would work to address any issues.

"There no burning issue, but we need a mechanism," offered Boar chair Lawrence Chomos.

Chomos asserted "this isn't meant to be vindictive. It's a sincere effort to get the best Board we can get. It's a tool for us to grow to be the best we can be."