The Charlotte County Hospital Foundation Keeps Rural Healthcare Going
Everyone knows healthcare is expensive, and provinces often struggle to pay for doctors, nurses, and equipment. We all know that our tax dollars are used to fund the healthcare system, but throughout New Brunswick, there are community groups helping to foot the bill.
One such non-profit group is the Charlotte County Hospital Foundation (CCHF). For years they have poured money into local healthcare and have provided the Charlotte County Hospital with needed equipment.
In 2011, they raised $350,000 to help purchase a $1.5 million dialysis unit. In 2014, the CCHF has also provided funding of $175,000 for a new mammography unit and ultrasound equipment. New Medical devices are a constant need for hospitals, due to rapidly changing technology.
“The problem with much of the equipment, it’s much more expensive to purchase and it has a much shorter functional life,” said Dr. Steven Backman, president of the CCHF.
“It’s a sign that technology is evolving so fast. As soon as you purchase a new piece of equipment, in a very short period of time, it becomes outdated.”
The CCHF is operated by 12 dedicated volunteer board members throughout Charlotte County. Every year, despite being in a rural area, the organization raises between $100,000 and $170,000 for the county’s healthcare needs.
“We have very energetic and enthusiastic volunteers,” Backman said about the group’s success. “They’re always putting their best foot forward, so when you have a big team that’s committed, it really makes things easy.”
Most of the money raised by the CCHF comes from their annual radiothon, hosted by 98.1 Charlotte FM. The twelve-hour program raised an incredible $100,000 last year.
“They (the radio station) really are a godsend, because they do most of the organization of the radiothon and then our volunteers man the phones. We also receive tremendous support from community members and businesses helping with logistics and supplying all of the volunteers with donated nourishment. It truly is a community effort” said Backman.
On top of annual fundraising, the CCHF also has $3 million worth of endowments, which they collect interest on.
Each year, the Charlotte County Hospital gives the CCHF a list of needed items, and the organization helps to pay for as much as they can. Much of the CCHF’s money also goes towards scholarships and bursaries for medical professionals, which encourages them to remain in Charlotte County after obtaining a degree.
“We as a foundation also recognize that the Staff of CCH are among the most caring found anywhere,” added Backman. “They often see us at our worst, when we are frightened, hurt and emotionally stressed, and they do their best to comfort, support and heal.
“We support continuing education initiatives for staff at CCH and also provide additional funds for team building and recognition of all the good these hard working and caring individuals do.”
The CCHF’s important role goes beyond just the financial. Rural areas in New Brunswick, like Charlotte County, often struggle to keep medical services alive. During a time where centralization is a focus in health care delivery, the CCHF lobbies government to keep services localized.
“It’s always a challenge, but our goal is always to do it from a business case point of view,” said Backman. “If we can demonstrate that a particular service or a particular offering will actually save the province money, as opposed to cost more money, than we can build a case around it.”
“There’s been an increasing trend towards centralization, which I think is a bad thing. It puts a much bigger focus on the urban centres and takes emphasis away from rural centres. I think that trend needs to reverse.”
The Charlotte County Hospital has seen some services diminish due to government cuts. Backman notes recent closure of the Surgical Services Unit, forcing residents to travel to an urban area to access those services done.
“With the long waitlists the province has been experiencing, a lot of pressure could have been taken off by doing simple surgeries in an institution like ours and free up more time,” said Backman.
“Access is always a significant challenge. We’re a long way from the urban centres.”
The importance of the CCHF isn’t lost on local leadership. The Mayor of St. Stephen, Allan MacEachern, says their fundraising is a big reason why medical professionals stay in the county.
“It helps protect a community our size from losing a hospital because [the government] is always trying to centralize things,” said MacEachern.
“By having that equipment, it will encourage doctors to want to work here.”
The Mayor shuddered when asked what medical services would look like in the community if the CCHF weren’t around.
“I’d hate to even think of what that could be…what [The CCHF] has shown is the people in this community want the hospital because they’re donating their own money to it.”
Anyone wishing to donate to the Charlotte County Hospital Foundation can call 506 465 4433 or visit https://cchfcares.ca/
The story was sponsored by the Charlotte County Hospital Foundation