Welcome to the Blind River District Health Centre (BRDHC) Website. We at the Health Centre are proud of the services we provide to the communities along the beautiful North Shore of Lake Huron, as well as to the many visitors that holiday in our area.
The Health Centre, while striving for excellence in the provision of rural healthcare and service delivery, remains the hub for healthcare and community services for this region.
Blind River is situated on the Trans-Canada Highway halfway between Sudbury and Sault Ste Marie. The open spaces, fresh air and the many activities render this area a delight to visit, and even more of a privilege to reside in and be part of the community. Those of us who live and work in the area benefit from safe rural living, and yet we can take advantage of more urban centres a short drive away.
** VISION **
Blind River District Health Centre will be recognized for excellence in the provision of rural health care and service delivery in an integrated model.
Le Pavillon santé du district de Blind River sera reconnu pour l’excellence en prestation de soins et de services de santé en milieu rural selon un modèle intégré.
** MISSION **
To work with our various partners and the community to provide safe, progressive and compassionate health care.
Nous collaborons avec divers partenaires et la communauté afin de fournir des soins de santé qui sont sécuritaires, progressistes et empreints de compassion.
** CORE VALUES / VALEURS
We are committed to:
* Providing care and services in a team environment that reflects dignity,
integrity, privacy and mutual respect.
* Collaboration and open communication in the delivery of client and family
focused care.
* The pursuit of excellence in quality of care through continual improvement
and education.
* Ensuring financial integrity through effective and accountable utilization of
our resources.
* Collaborating with the North East Local Health Integration Network and the
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, along with all partners that assist in
meeting the Health Centre's Mission and Vision.
Nous nous sommes engagés
* à fournir, dans un milieu propice au travail d’équipe, des soins et des
services empreints de dignité, d’intégrité, le respect de la vie privée et
le respect mutuel
* à collaborer et à communiquer ouvertement pour assurer la prestation de soins
axés sur le client et la famille;
* à poursuivre l’excellence en matière de soins de qualité grâce à
l’amélioration et à l’éducation continues
* à assurer l’intégrité financière en utilisant nos ressources de façon
judicieuse et responsable.
* à collaborer avec le Réseau local d’intégration des services de santé et le
ministère de la Santé et des Soins de longue durée, ainsi qu’avec tous les
partenaires qui aident à concrétiser la mission et la vision du Pavillon
santé du district de Blind River.
History Of Blind River District Health Centre
The Blind River District Health Centre has been serving the community and surrounding area of Blind River for over 75 years.
The Health Centre got its start in 1928 with the opening of the 25 bed Robb Hospital. The Provincial Minister of Health, Dr. J. Robb, gave his support for the Red Cross Hospital, so the hospital was given his name when the dedication took place. The facility remained the Robb Hospital until 1940 when the Sisters of St. Joseph from Sault Ste Marie took over its administration. The hospital was renamed St. Joseph’s General Hospital and retained that name until 1992. With the lumber mills and area uranium mines Blind River was a steadily growing area. The hospital saw countless numbers of patients as well as provided obstetric services until the mid 1980s. As demand for care and services increased, a new wing was constructed in 1955 bringing the total beds to 55.
As the building aged, it became clear that a new facility was needed in order for the facility to continue providing the same level of care as well as accommodate the expanding services. The Urgent Caring Fundraising Campaign was therefore launched in 1987. The original new facility was 66,000 square feet with an estimated cost to construct of $18.3 million. The Board of Trustees committed $2.3 million, which meant that the community had to raise $1.3 million. After years of fundraising, the new facility was finally completed and the move to the new hospital began on June 20, 1992. The old building was put to rest in August 1995.
The new, bigger building allowed additional services to be provided to the community and the name of the facility was altered to reflect just that. In 1992 the name was changed, once again, to St. Joseph’s Health Centre.
The dwindling population of the Sisters of St. Joseph caused them to part with their sponsorship of the Health Centre to the Catholic Corporation of Ontario in 1997. A series of meetings and discussions led to a separate incorporation. In September 2001, the last Sister of St. Joseph to work at the Health Centre, Sister Dianne Bottos, retired. The Blind River District Health Centre came into being as a non-denominational community sponsored organization.
