Health finances coming into line

After a few months of operating in the red, the Sunrise Health Region (SHR) was back to a small surplus in August.

In May the deficit had neared $600,000 Suann Laurent president and CEO of the SHR told the regular monthly meeting of the Board last Wednesday.

By the end of July the deficit had grown to $835,325.

While the Board did not meet in July and August, Laurent said efforts were ongoing for a financial "course correction," moves she said will allow the Region "to hit its balanced budget by year-end."

The effects of the course correction were seen in August where a $135,000 surplus was realized, said Laurent.

"We're still on where we thought we'd be," she said, adding there "are ups and downs in the budget based on timing."

Laurent said they still have six months "of stern steering to manage the ship across the ocean, but it's looking a lot better that we did in the summer."

Board chair Lawrence Chomos noted "we know it's challenging, very challenging to hit financial targets."

Board member Don Rae said at least the processes of monthly monitoring are working.

"I like the fact we're catching it now. We're not dealing with it after," he said.