A year like no other, a team like no other
Hamilton Health Sciences issues Community Report and Environmental Performance Report
Hamilton, ON – The past year has been one of the most disruptive in a lifetime.
Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) is pleased to share its 2020-2021 Community Report, entitled Rising Up, and its 2020 Environmental Performance Report. Both reports highlight the remarkable contributions of everyone at HHS to the health of our community during a year like no other.
“2020/21 was a hallmark year and our local, regional and provincial leadership throughout the pandemic is a pride point,” says Rob MacIsaac, President and CEO. “Our team rose to the challenge by implementing new ways to care for patients, advancing the implementation of a new hospital information system, progressing forward on rebuilding West Lincoln Memorial, and excelling in research. At the same time, we made progress as a responsible steward of the environment.”
Rising Up highlights our response to the pandemic and ongoing healthcare needs of our patients including:
- Collaboration with health provider partners to establish testing centres, vaccine clinics, a satellite health centre and more.
- Expansion of virtual care services by 1,500%. This has included remote home monitoring for children and youth in remote regions of the province, long-term care residents, heart patients and critically ill babies.
- Continued transformation of our hospital with the start of the implementation of a leading edge hospital information system; advancing the rebuild of our West Lincoln Memorial Hospital site; and largescale acquisition of new medical equipment to aid in patient diagnosis and treatment.
- Research and discoveries that are changing the way healthcare is provided locally, and making an impact globally, with more than 400 researchers involved in more than 140 clinical trials, and contributions to research studies in 102 countries.
- Innovations in digital technology to harness the power of artificial intelligence and mobile applications in diagnosis and treatment.
- Elevating care for stem cell patients, indigenous children, stroke patients and post-surgical patients.
Similarly, HHS’ 2021 Environmental Performance Report highlights important achievements such as:
- A multi-site pipe insulation project, saving 1,531,000 cubic metres (m3) of natural gas per metre, which is equivalent to 670 homes’ energy use for one year.
- More than 17 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions since 2016, and a new target to further reduce GHG another 50 per cent by 2023.
- 1,762 metric tonnes of waste diverted from landfill, which is equivalent to more than 290 elephants by weight.
- 41 per cent of hospital waste diverted from landfills, which is three per cent higher than peer hospitals.
On June 3, HHS was recognized by Sustainable Hamilton Burlington with two awards: one for Best Sustainability Report and another for best Social Initiative. The latter award recognized HHS’ Covid-19 Mental Health Resiliency efforts.