Norm Gamble says the South West Local Health Integration Network is working well, and he has no concerns about resigning as the Chair.
Gamble says he is taking time off for personal reasons, but looking back over the four plus years he has served as Chair he is quite pleased at the progress the LHIN has made in streamlining and delivering health care in South West Ontario.
He says when initially was appointed as chair he had concerns that the urban and rural parts of the group would constantly be at odds over decision as to where health care dollars should be directed.
However, Gamble says that tension actually worked out for the better as there developed a tremendous level of co operation between the London based health care institutions and the smaller rural based organizations.
He says considering the number of players involved in the LHIN, about 150 smaller health care groups and 20 hospital corporations,the organization has moved forward as far as integrating health care in the region.
Gamble says one area of concern is the situation involving the Hospital corporations in the LHIN.
He says while the organization has gained their respect, the Hospitals still have quite a challenge in front of them in terms of funding and providing health care.
Gamble says changes are needed and occurring in the health care system and he feels the LHIN has made some improvements and feels the big ship is beginning to turn.