St. Joseph`s General Hospital Peterborough, Ontario 100 Years: A

St. Joseph’s General Hospital
Peterborough, Ontario
100 Years: A Commemorative Publication
by
Margaret M. McDonald, CSJ
Source:
Archives of the
Sisters of St. Joseph of Toronto
Copyright: Public Domain
Digitized:
August 2013
SAINT JOSEPH'SGENERAL HOSPITAL
PETERBOROUGH
lOOYEARS
A COMMEMORATTVEPT]BLICATION
Lt- /*^f-t
A'a"^-"t-
MARGARET M. McDONALD, C.S.J.
FOREWORI)
Eachof us hasa personalstory to recount,a taleof twojourneys, really, one the identifiable
milestonesand accomplishments
of a life, and the other a mysteriousinner road we walk from
childhoodto maturity. Institutions,too, show one face to the outsideobserverand anotherto
thosewho have inhabitedtheir inner corridors. SisterMargaretMcDonald is uniquely placed
to chroniciethe inner and outer life of St. Joseph'sGeneralhospital. An historianherself, and
the author of A Heritageof Caring, SisterMcDonald servedwithin the hospitaifor more than
thirty yearsand haswatchedits developmentin recentdecadesfrom the vantagepoint of health
care volunteerand counsellorin the wider community,
Decadeby decadeshetakesthe readerthroughthe hospital'shistory, with stark statisticsand
warm, revealing anecdotes. As the 1890 building grows from its pristine splendouron an
Ashburnhamhill through its many winged and multi-serviceexpansionswe are madeawareof
the faith ofall thoseinvolved, their strugglesto endureandadaptand their courageousandjoyful
and competentcare.
insistenceon the missionof compassionate
This is Centennialyear for the hospital,a time when currenthealthcarerealitiesstandin the
reflectedlight of times past. This book is more than a nostalgicremembering,however, it is
an ordering of the presentand the future upon the building blocks of a hospital's tradition. It
servesus well as an historic commemorativeand we are greatly indebtedto its author.
VeronicaO'Reilly, C.S.J.
General Superior
4:r.''!JcrsT'JoiD
':::. -
r',. It
T)
PREFACE
As I undertake
theawesome
taskof preparingsomerecordof healthcareat St. Joseph's
GeneralHospitalfor thepastonehundredyears,I amreminded
of thel-ord'sanswer.Habakkuk
2 : 2& 3 .
..."Write downthevisionclearlyuponthetablets
so thatonecanreadit readily,for thevision
still hasits time, presses
on to fulfilment"
... andagain,in the wordsof theprodigiouswriter,
St.Teresa
of Avila (1515-1582),
..."Would thatI hadmanyhandswith whichto write so that
while puttingdownsomeof thesethings,I wouldn'tforget
theothers"...
However, the taskhasbeenmadeeasierbecauseof the researchI had alreadydonefor
history
in
the
of St.Joseph's
Schoolof Nursing0906-197qin theHeritageof Caringpublished
1981. This accountincludedhospitalsettingsandeventsonly as far as Nursingwasinvolved.
In this presenttreatise,I haveendeavoured
to fix locationand dateof beginnings
of a
numberof serviceswhich havedevelopedinto departments
with the passingof time and
availabilityof scientificknowledge
I have
andexpertise.To establishsomesortof sequence,
attempted
to placehighlightsin ten-yearperiods.
I haveincludeda few statistics
whichwouldbe of interestto the thenandnow. Other
informationto reflectthe growthin the natureandvolumeof sewices,hasbeennoted.
Throughoutthetext, reference
to a sectionof thehospitalmaybe identifiedby letteror
by yearof formalopening,e.g.
Key: ABCD-
1922Wing
1950Wing
1890Wing
1964Wine
in any way in
The authorwishesto express
a sinceregratitudeto all who haveassisted
theproductionof this commemorative
booklet.
M.
111
CONTENTS
Foreword
Preface
Introduction
SectionI
1890to 1900
2
SectionfI
1900to 1940
9
SectionIII
1940to 1990
n
Endpiece
to7
References
108
Rededication
109
Addenda
111
lV
INTRODUCTION
The developmentof healthcarein hospitalsover one hundredyearsmay best be viewed
in relation to the changesin Canadiansocietyover a similar period.
Social and economic progress, growth in government, rapid advancesin scientific
knowledgeand communicationhaveall had their effects. However, the explosionof knowledge
in medicaland appliedsciencesand technologyhad the mostprofound impact on the healthcare
system.
A theoreticalframework for the historicaldevelopmentof medical and hospitalcare in
Canadahasresultedfrom a researchprojectdoneat Laval University, Quebec1972. The report
notedthat historiansand sociologistsdistinguishedthreemain stagesin the evolution of medical
and hospitalcare, namely:
from pre-historictimes until the end of
the nineteenthcentury,
II. from the end of the nineteenthcenturyinto
the 1940's,
III. from the 1940'sto the present.
I.
In the first period, care of the sick was closelyconnectedwith religion. Churchesand
religious orders assumedtheseresponsibilities. Medical sciencewas rudimentary. Hospitals
were placeswherethe sick could be caredfor underfavorablephysicaland spiritual conditions.
Hospital structureswere organizedto give primary importanceto lodging and personalcare.
Medical treatmentprovided relief of pain.
The secondperiod was markedby the introductionand spreadof the systematicuseof
scientific methodsin the treatmentof illness. Hospitalstendedto becomea scientific medical
milieu. The prevailing idea was technicalefficiency, with limited attention to the patients'
subjectivereactionsor their previoussocio-culturalexperiences.
The beginningof the third period coincidedwith the introductionof socialsciencesinto
the field of medicine. The conceptof hospitalsas treatmentcentreswas gradually developing.
Resourceswere being mobilized to define the psychologicaland socialfactors of illness within
the therapeuticcontext, so that thesemight be alteredto promotethe processof cure. Gradually,
the importanceof humanrelationsbetweenmedicalstaff, hospitalpersonneland the patientswas
also seenas a factor.
Section1
Doctor Sawyerin his history of the OntarioMedical Associationgives an overviewof
medicalpracticein the 1880's.The followingis an excerpt.
no automobiles,
few railroads,no medicalinsurance,...
"No telephones,
smallincomes.....For themajorityof physicians,
homewasa placefor
deliveryof babies,reductionandimmobilizingof fractures, .... The
sick werenursedby the mother,a closerelativeor a kindly neighbor.
Physiciansmadehousecallsby horse-drawnvehiclesandthe circuit could
beforty or frfty miles.... Therewasverylittle knownaboutgerms,there
wereno steriledressings,
norubbergloves. ... Theoperatingroomwhere
evenheroic surgerywould be performedwas usually the kitchen in the
home. Lightingwasprovidedby a coaloil lamp. Chloroformwas the
only anaesthetic
and carbolicspraythe antiseptic"
The foregoingis a kaleidoscopicview of the natureof the healthcare systemin Canada
from the early seventeenth
century to the present. It is intendedto be an overview for the
readersof this brief historyof St.Joseph's
Hospital,Peterborough
over the pastone hundred
yeaus.
This commemorativebooklet is divided into three sections. These encompassthe
highlightsof majoreventsaswell asfactualdata. In addition,it includeshumanintereststories
contributedby personswho experiencedthem.
rrst.Leonard'sGrove" RogersSt. to Armour Roadproperty
of H.C.Burritt,M.D. (1878-188E)
Residence
Hospital.
St.Joseph's
purchasedin 1888for the site of
1890- 1900s
The populationwas increasingso rapidly in Ontario in the latter half of the nineteenth
centry that numeroushospitalswere springingup, especiallyin industrialareas. Medical science
was rudimentaryand hospitalswere regardedas placesof last resortwhere the sick and injured
could be looked after. However, therewasa generalresistanceto theseinstitutionsdue to fear
of the unknown.
In 1882the RomanCatholicdioceseof Peterboroughwas formed and BishopJamotwas
appointedits frrst bishop. He lived only four yearsand he was succeededby Bishop Dowling
in 1886.
In anticipatingthe growing needsof his diocese,five acresof land in Ashburnhamon the
outskirts of Peterboroughwere purchasedby the episcopalcorporationin 1881 for the sum of
$6,000.
On this propertytherewasa house,anotherbrick building and a stableall surroundedby
a high board fence. The locationwas known as St.Leonard'sGrove. The househad beenbuilt
for ReverendJ.W. Beck, an Anglican Church minister who lived in it from 1865 to 1874.
Within three yearsit had changedhandstwice, the residenceof a lumberman,A.H. Campbell
1874to 1877;and Doctor Horatio Burritt, a medicaldoctor who lived therefrom 1878to 1888.
At this time an unusualcircumslanceexistedin Peterboroughwhich required the urgent
attentionof BishopDowling. A benefactorhad given propertyand endowmentfor the purpose
of establishinga Protestanthospitalfrom which Catholicswere to be excluded. The bishop, thus
concernedfor the spiritualand temporalneedsof the peopleof his diocese,set aboutto provide
a facility for the sick, the agedand orphans. Suffrcientfunds were collectedto undertakethe
building of a twenty-five bed hospitalon the site of St. Leonard'sGrove.
John Belcher, an architect was hired to plan the constructionat an estimatedcost of
$20,000. The building was to be called St. Joseph'sHospital. This namewould be a reminder
to thosewho would be caring for the sick that they servewith the samediligence, charity and
cordiality which St. JosephshowedMary and his foster-sonJesusChrist in their humble home
in Nazareth.
The cornerstonewas laid on October24, 1888. The silver trowel usedto put it in place
may be seenin the hospitalarchives. It wasdonatedby the wife of Doctor O'Sullivan who also
added$2,000. to her gift.
Of specialsignificancewas a gift of a metallic statueof St.Josephto be erectedin the
gable centeredabove the front door. This was a highlight in east city until that part of the
hosoitalwas demolishedin 1969.
In 1889BishopDowling wastransferredto the dioceseof Hamilton and was replacedhere
by Bishop R.A. O'Connor. He saw the building completedon scheduleat a total cost of
$32,000. of which $18,000. had alreadybeenraisedby parishioners.
In 1890 Bishop O'Connor requestedthat the Sistersof St.Josephof Toronto who were
alreadyservingin his dioceseform a new congregationto be known as the Sistersof St.Joseph
of Peterborough. This congregationwas formally establishedAugust 15, 1890.
Four Sistersoccupiedthe completedbuilding July 28, 1890, Sister Anselm, Superior,
SisterBaptista,SisterGeraldineChiddick, SisterHilary Irwin. TheseSistershad to obtain some
essentialsupplies,equipmentand furnishingsfor the new hospital. They had acquiredsome
nursing skills under the direction of the physicianswhile caring for the sick and neglectedin
Toronto. They knew that whateverwould be accomplishedwould not be by humaneffort alone.
century "that they were
They were mindful of their founder'sWisdomSayingsin the seventeenth
life
with
a
zealouspractical life."
must
their
spiritual
not to be simply a task force but
combine
They outlined their horarium which they would try to observetogetheras far as possible.
The Sisterswould begin their day with spiritualexercisesprescribedby their religious
rule. Each morning at five-thirty they would assemblein the little chapel locatedon the first
floor to the left of the front entrance. By seveno'clock they would be on the wards ready to
administerto the sick and needy. In the eveningwhen the ward dutieswere finishedfor the day,
the Sisterswould do the additionalcleaningand householdduties. The bed linen, limited in
supply, would be washedand dried around the kitchen stove so it could be used again the
following day. Each would take her turn at night answeringa patient's call-bell. Though the
spiritualqualitiesof deep
Sisterswere lacking in scientificknowledgeand skills, they possessed
respectand love of neighbor, compassionand concern in their ministrations. These virtues
animatedby prayer, faith and trust in God supportedthe Sistersin their daily arduouslabors. It
also strengthened
their convictionsof the sanctityof life and of the ultimate meaningof suffering
and death.
While the hospitalwas being constructed,the brick building and stableon the property
were converted into temporary accommodation for the elderly and destitute from the
Peterboroughdiocesebeing cared for at the Houseof Providencein Toronto. A total of forty
personswas scheduledfor transferto Peterborough,October 1891.
The hospitalwas dedicatedand officially openedby Bishop R.A. O'Connor on August
20, 1890.
The Peterborough
Reviewon thisdatereported:
"The new St.Joseph'sHospitalis completed. This beautiful
building is locatedon the lovely groundspreviouslyknown as
St.I€onard'sGrovein Ashburnham.Crowdsof peoplefrom the
townandcountryfilled verandas
andcorridorsof thenewbuilding
to helpcelebrate
theevent.Thefire brigadeprovidedmusicwhile
visitorsfiled throughthe hospital.
Speeches
intendedto be given on the Men's Ward had to be
deliveredon t1tesouthveranda. Even the weatherwas beautiful
for the galaoccasion. . ."
Among thoseattendingthe ceremony,the recordsnotedthe namesof BishopR.A.
O'Connor,Mayor Stevenson,
towncouncillorsand twenty-three
clergymen.Membersof the
medicalstaffwererepresented
by DoctorsHalliday,Goldsmith,Brennan,Mccrath, Moherand
Pigeon.
Thebishopin his openingremarksstatedthatthephilosophyof thehospitalis basedon
theJudeo-Christian
conceptof thenatureof thehumanperson,hisdignityandworthregardless
of socialor economicslatus,coloror creed.
Notingthehospital'spolicyasexpressed
by thebishop,themayorfelt thatit wasbound
to havethe 'heartyapproval'of everyonewhatevertheircreed. He alsoassured
the bishopof
the town's cooperationin raising funds neededto wipe out the balanceof the cost of
construction.
was
On August26, 1890,sixdaysaftertheofficialopeningDavidQuinnof Peterborough
Hospitalregister.Therecordshowsa
admitted.He wasthefirst patientlistedon St. Joseph's
diagnosisof ophthalmiawhich in thosedayswasa generalterm for eye infection. He was
discharged
unimproved159dayslater.
Thediocesan
recordof i903 showsthata legacyof$826.00in thenameof DavidQuinn
wasreceivedfor St.Joseph's
Hospital.Anotherentrynotedthat$700.00hadbeenreceivedfrom
Reverend
M.McCloskey.
By the endof the first yearof operation,recordsshowthatfifty-four patientshadbeen
two of diphtheria
admittedamongwhomwerefour casesof typhoidfever,threeof erysipelas,
andtwo of syphilis. Therewerealsoentriesof casesof dysentery,intestinaltorpor,phthisis,
cystitis, pneumonia,eczema,ulcers, insanity, heart palpitation,narcotic poisoningand
alcoholism.
patientsadmitted.Among
Thepatients'registerfor 1891showstherewereninety-eight
thesewere thirteencasesof typhoidfever, threeof diphtheria,and two eachof measles,
tuberculosis,
erysipelas
andtrachoma.Thesurgicalcasesnotedwerechieflyfractures,herniae
andotherinjuriesnot specified.
Two Sistersdiedfrom fevercontracted
while nursinghospitalpatients.
As the populationof the towngrewfrom 6000in 1890to its incorporation
asa city in
1894,recordsshowan annualincrease
in thenumberof patientstreated.
Administration
in the earlydaysandthe Sisters
of the hospitalwasnot too demanding
part
patients
took a more direct
in caring for
while looking after the generalcleaning,
maintenance
of buildings,laundryandcooking.
During theseearly years,a largecapitalwasnot requiredto operatethe institution. The
annualreport(1891-1892)
showsthetotalexpenses
amounting
to $4,716.20.Theexpenditures
werecarefullyitemized. The lion's sharewasfor food, then salariesand wages,drugsand
medicines,fuel, fumishingsand bedding. Receiptsfor the year totalled$3,802.92which
grantof $1,710.52.
included
a government
At thetum of thecentury,theprovinciaigovernment
wasreimbursing
thehospitalat the
rate of twenty centsper patientper diem. An appealwas madefor financial assistancefor
patientsfrom thePeterborough
countywho wereunableto pay their hospitalbills.
Patientswerechargedsix dollars(6.00)per weekfor privateroomsandtwo dollarsand
fifty cents(2.50)per weekfor wardaccommodation.
St.Joseph'sHospital- August15, 1890
SectionII
1900- 1920s
Prior to the Sisters'comingto thePeterborough
diocesein 1890,a numberof thepoor
in Toronto.
elderly,anddestitutefrom the diocesewerecaredfor by the Sistersof St.Joseph
buildingon the Ashburnham
As soonas accommodation
couldbe providedin the renovated
property, all were transferredhere and the Sistersat the hospitalprovided them with food,
clothingandshelteras well ashospitalcare.
headed
Duringtheearlypartof theyear1899,theEpiscopal
Corporation
by BishopR.A.
wasurgentlyneededfor theelderlyanddestitute.
O'Connordecidedthatbetteraccommodation
ArchitectJ.E. Belcherwasagainhiredto plana buildingadjacentto the hospital.
The bishoplaunchedan appealfor fundsto all the parishesin his diocese. This new
wasofficially openedJuly 27, 1900. For a while, this
buildingnamedHouseof Providence
structurerelievedthecrowdedconditionsfor the sick.
The orphanedchildrenweretransferred
from the Houseof Providence
to St.Vincent's
Orphanage
on LondonStreetwhenit wasoffrciallyopenedNovember4, 19O7.
in
Aboutthis time,electriclightingwasinstalledin thehospitalandotherimprovements
radiators,pipesandpaintingwerealsoachieved
at a costof about$3,000.
The bishopannounced
thatthe Sundayofferingswouldcontinueto be appliedtowards
reducingstill furtherthedebton St.Joseph's
Hospital. By 1905thedebtwaspaid off.
1906- TRATNINGSCHOOLFOR NT]RSESIS OPENED
After 1880severaltrainingschoolsfor nurseswereestablished
by hospitalsin Ontario
with a view to improvingthe staffing. Howeverit wasdifficult to attractstudents.The hours
werelong, wageswerepoorandworkingconditions
demanded
a strongphysiqueandmilitarytype discipline. Moreover,the superintendents
wereconcemedthat the studentswould receive
goodinstructionandpracticeandalsobe ableto copewith the hardshipsanddemandsof the
times.
The majorityof theearlygraduates
of the schoolswereabsorbed
into privateduty, first
in homesandlaterin hospitals.A numberof hospitalssetup a registryof their own graduates
whom they would assignto privateduty but few wereemployedon the staff.
St.Joseph'sHospital,Peterboroughwasno exceptionto theprevailingneedfor more help
to care for the increasingnumberof sick. Sincehelp was also being soughtto care for the sick
in their homes,additionalheads,heartsand handshad to be found.
St.Michael'sHospital,Torontohadalreadyopeneda Training Schoolfor Nursesin 1892.
The Sistersthere gave encouragingreportson the improvementin patientcare in their hospital
through having studentswho had been taught by the Sistersand who were dependableand
interestedin taking care of the sick.
After considerablereflectionand discussionon the generalconceptof startinga Training
School for Nurses, the Sisters,under the leadershipof Sister St. Michael the Superior of the
hospital, submittedthe proposalto Mother Clotilde, SuperiorGeneralof the Congregation,and
to Bishop R.A. O'Connor. Both gave their approvalto the unde(aking. This was in January
1906. The medicalstaff supportedthe idea with enthusiasmand offered to give lecturesand to
instruct the studentsin the care of their Datients.
Miss Verna Winterhalt, a graduatenursefrom St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto was hired
and she was appointedthe first superintendent
of nurses.
Therewas no provincial legislationat this time to governthe establishment
of schoolsnor
was there any official guide for conductingthem. Each hospitalset up its own standards.
The Sisters decided to adopt the sameruies, subjectsand methods of teaching as were
being usedin St.Michael's Training Schooland with which Miss Winterhalt was familiar.
Foremostin the Sisters'deliberationsfor sucha new commitmentwere the desire and
determinationto ensurethat their spirit of servicewould be communicatedto the students:
"This spirit is inherentin the enduring value and worth of each
human being from conception to natural death, and it is not
lessenedby one's ageor one's physicalor mentalcondition, race,
colororcreed...."
By 1908,the hospitalneededmoreaccommodation
for the sick and Architect Belcherwas
again hired to plan the first extension,a three-storeybuilding on the north side of the original
structurewith an elevatorshaft at the iunction. The contractwas awardedto JamesBosue for
$9.375.00.
10
The first floor providedanoperatingroom,anaesthetic
andsterilizingrooms. Thesecond
floor wasfor patientaccommodation
whichnowincludeda few privaterooms. The third floor
gaveadditionalsleeping
areasfor theSistersandstudentnurses,aswell asa laboratory,andan
isolationward which waslater convertedinto spacefor X-Ray service.
Theelevator,thefirst in thecity, wasinstalledby theOtisFensonCompanyat a costof
behindtheelevator
$1,390. It wasoperatedmanuallyandhada controlswitchin thebasement
shaft. Whena patientneededto be transported,the powerwasturnedon in the basement,and
onepersonwas then requiredto pull the cablein order to bring the cageto the desiredfloor.
Someyearslaterthe elevatorwasmechanized
andit serveda varietyof purposes
until
thatwing wasdemolished
in 1969.
Additionalpropertyto thenorthandwestof thehospitalwaspurchased
in 1910from the
estateof Mrs.Wall. A gardentheresuppliedvegetables
for thehospitalfor a numberof years.
This lot remainedvacantfor thirtv-five vearsuntil the residenceand schoolof nursinswasbuilt
there.
Duringthe 1908construction
period,a brick buildingwaserectedbetweenthe hospital
andHouseof Providence,
to providea steamlaundryfacilitywhichservedbothinstitutionsfor
manyyears. The costwas$3,403.
Recordsshowthat the first hospitalbirth tookplaceon January16th, 1909,whena baby
girl wasbom to Mr. andMrs. Cohen- shewasnamedBeatrice. Because
it wasnormalin those
days,for babiesto be bom at home,few mothersweresentto hospitalfor delivery exceptwhen
complicationsweresuspected.As the hospitaldid not havea separatematernityunit for some
years,the matemitycaseswereadmittedto privaterooms,deliveredthere,and the babiescared
for in the samerooms.
Somediagnosticservicesweregraduallybeingdeveloped
afterSisterLigouri took training
in X-Raytechnology
at St.Michael'sHospital,Toronto,andSisterAngelicastudiedlaboratory
technique
at St.Bernard's
Hospital,Chicago.
In July 1913,an X-Raymachinewaspurchased,
thecostof whichwasdefrayedby the
threecity parishes.This equipmentwasinstalledon the third floor of the newaddition,andthe
public was invited to seeit beingput into operation. However,the Utilities Commissionhad
useda five, insteadof a fifteen, kilowatt transformer. Whenthe corridorswere crowdedwith
spectatorswaiting for the demonstration,the switch was turned on and the transformerwas
blown into literally a thousandpieces,somelandingas far awayas the Lift Locks. Therewas
thenconsiderable
delayin initiating the X-Rayserviceasanothertmnsformerand repairshadto
be broughtfrom Toronto.
11
The clinical laboratory was openedin 1914 in a room on the third floor, and Sister
Angelicawasplacedin charge- shebeingthe first personin Peterboroughqualified in laboratory
technique.
What was entailed in nursing in the early twentieth century can probably best be
understoodby readingsomeincidentswhich the nursesthemselvesrelated.
E.C., who startedher training in 1913,describedsomeof her experiencesthis way:
When I was only three weeks in training, I was sent into the
women's ward to sit with a lady who was dying. When I thought
I saw her take her last breath, I knelt down and prayed and
coveredher facewith a sheetand reportedit to the headnursewho
was in her third year of training. About an hour later, shesentfor
me and said that the patientI had beensitting with had askedfor
a glassof water .
And, again, I was sent to the men's ward, to a patient who was so
that boardswereput on his bed to keephim from gettingout.
obstreperous
He thoughtI washis daughter,Bessie.When he wouldn't do anythingfor
the other nurses,I was sentfor and he would say "here comesBessie- I'11
doitforher-..."
SisterAngelicatook us for class,twice a week, after the day's work was
completed. There was no classroom,nor blackboard. Classeswere held
in the Sisters'communityroom, or on the top floor in the isolationward,
if there were no patientsthere . . . The day nurseswould meet at 7:00
P.M. to give a report to the night nursesof what the doctors had said
about their patients,then the night nurseswould carry on for the next
twelvehours..,
The hospitalwas very poor. SisterSt.Josephwho was in charge
of the O.R. would often come down to the kitchen to get some
utensilwhich could be usedfor an operation.. . There was no help
for any housekeeping,the sistersand nursesdid it all . . .
I recall looking after a very ill patientwho had cancerof the mouth and
Doctor G. took him to the O.R. and pulle.dall his teeth. When the patient
he threatenedto suethe doctor, becausehis teeth
regainedconsciousness,
weregood...
12
After onemonthin training,I wasallowedto give medicines.In
my secondyear, a lady teachercameoncea weekto give classes
on the preparationof food for the sick. The
and demonstrations
doctorswerealwayskind andwilling to helpus. Theygavemany
hoursof lectures,but alwaysafter the studentshad completed
twelvehoursof dutyon thewards
R.F. Classof 1916;
. . . recallssomeof hermemoirs.
We hada probationaryperiod of threemonths,then we received
our bibs and capsand after two years,our black bands. we
to learnby doing;baths,dustingandcleaninghad
helpedourselves
to be finishedby 10:00A.M. to bereadyfor thedoclors'visits. ..
We had to makeour own surgicaldressingsand takethemto be
we might
sterilizedin theO.R.-nowardaidesin thosedays.Again
be calledto help in the O.R. as therewasno separatestaff there.
It was a real strugglefor the poor sisters;they worked so hard,
cleaningandwaxingat nightaftera busyday...
For the graduatenurses,therewas only privateduty nursing.
OnceI wassentto Bethanyon a matemitycase. . . thedoctormet
me with horseandbuggy... thebabyhadalreadybeenborn and
the motherwasin convulsions.Eachtime thepatientconvulsed,
her mother,who wasthereto helpme, wouldfaint .., we packed
the patient in oats which had beenheatedin the oven and this
causedher to perspire. The other childrenwereall sick and one
wascoveredwith a rashandher hair wasfalling out. Therewere
no telephones,
so whenthedoctormadehis nextvisit, he decided
it was a caseof scarletfever. He placardedtlte housefor six
weekswhich meantwe all had to remainthere until the Dlacard
wasofficially removed. . .
E.O'B. Classof 1922:
in her first yearof
. . . gavea vivid descriptionof her experiences
training.
Miss
I recall Sister Angelica quoting her Superintendent,
Winterhalt"thata nurseshouldbeableto bathea patientin seven
minutesand havethe unit in order in twentyminutes." Sister
of pendingdangers,e.g.,
wouldusuallywarnus well in advance
watchon thepatientin thefourthbed,his clothes
"keepa constant
are hidden,but he threatenedto leavein a quilt." Again, a
favoritedirectiveto thenightnurse,"I thinkyou aregoingto have
an awful night. Keepyour hypoloaded..."
13
Themedicalandsurgicalpatientswereall assigned
to thesamelargewards; thesurgical
caseswerekepton one side,andthenurse,nicknamed
CLEAN, wasin chargeof them,while
the DIRTY nurselookedafterthe medicalcases.Patientswith communicable
and infectious
wereisolatedon thethird floor, sincetherewasasyet no isolationhospitalin thecity.
diseases
Diphtheriawascommon,andsuchcasesweresegregated
in a largeroom remembered
by the
nursesasthe "diphthedaward"or the "greenroom." A nursespecialled
any patientthereand
preventingthespreadof germs.
wastaughthow to takeprecautions,
There were many casesof typhoidfever, and thesepatientsrequiredstrenuousand
prolongedcare. If thetemperature
wasover 101"F, theyweregiventepidspongebathsevery
four hours. Studentnurseswereassigned
to attendto them; oftenthepatientsweredelirious
infection,requiringconstantvigilance. Theywere
from the high temperatures
andsubsequent
foods
feda strictdietof clearfluidsandorangejuice
blendedwith thewhiteofan egg. Gaseous
werecarefullyavoidedto lessenthe dangerof hemorrhage;if this did occur,the patientwas
givena low rectalirrigationof starchsolutionwhichhelpedcontrolthebleeding.Usuallyafter
hadpassed,
thepatient's
threewerkson completebedrest,andwhenthedangerof complication
gradually,
andaliowed
legswerebandaged,
from ankleto hip, andhewasliftedoutof bed,very
to walk, in an effort to preventphlebitis.
Nursing procedureswere carefullydetailedto preventthe spreadof communicable
diseases.The ban on eatingon the wardsor in patients'rooms,while on duty, wasa firm
regulationfor manyyears. Onemustrealizethattherewasno immunizationavailablein the
province- theConnaught
vaccines
and
l,aboratory
in Torontowasonlybeginningto manufacture
antitoxins.
wasgradually
Tuberculosis
wasalsoa constant
menace.Theuseof X-Rayin diagnosis
wasdone. It consisted
of anointmentmadeup with
anda form of skin-testing
beingintroduced,
old tuberculinand rubbedon the patient'schest. If the areareddenedafter 24-48 hours,
later.
wasdiagnosed.This testformedthe basisfor the mantouxtestdeveloped
tuberculosis
diet in treatingthesepatients
However,theimportance
of providingrest,freshair andadequate
waswell understood
andpracticed.Greatcreditis dueto the medicalandnursingcaregiven
in the treatmentof the disease
as well as in thecontrolof its spread.
Pneumoniawas a very commoncomplicationof manyillnessesbeforethe adventof
(linseedpoultices)or antiphlogistine
(mustardplasters)
andcataplasms
antibiotics. Sinapisms
washigh,
for chestpainsandabdominal
distention,If thetemperature
werestandard
treatments
with
blanketswrungout of ice water,or he wassponged
thepatientwaswnppedin flannelette
patientswere never alowedout of bed or to help
alcoholevery four hours, Pneumonia
whichnearlyalwaysoccurredaboutninedaysafter
untilafterthe"crisis"hadpassed,
themselves
the onsetof symptoms.This breakin thehigh feverwastakenas a goodsignandthepatient
usuallyrecovered."Thata goodnurse,ratherthanthephysician,contributedmoreto thecarc
patient,"wasa commentnot infrequentlymadeby the doctors
and recoveryof a pneumonia
themselves.
14
1916- QuakerOatsFire
eventin thehistoryof
fire wasa memorable
largestandmostdisastrous
Peterborough's
had
it
almostcompletely
control
brought
under
Hospital. Beforethe fire couldbe
St.Joseph's
destroyedthe structurebuilt only a few yearspreviously. The fire wasconsideredto be caused
by a spark from the ignition of a grain-rollingmachine. This set the grain{ust on fire ard
resultedin the terrible explosionwhich followed.
Almost immediatelythe top threefloors of Quakeroats factorywereengulfedin flames
and the grain tanksbegantumblingdown. Within one-halfhour almostall of the wallsand
floors hid collapsed.The chemicaltanksbeganexplodingcausingmorefires. The fire bumed
uncontrollablyfor nearlyfour days. Men andequipmentweredispatchedfrom the Torontofire
brigadeto assistthe local department.Traffrc hadto be divertedto the Smith streetbridge. It
*ai not until two weekslater that the Hunter streetbridge could be usedon accountof the
dangerof falling walls.
awayuntil Marchandby thenhadbeenthecauseof at leasttwentyThe fire smouldered
two deaths,sixteenbodieshavingbeenburied in the ruins. In addition there were scoresof
injured, manyof whom wereleft with permanenthandicaps.
11, 1916a loudblastsenttremors
Aboutteno'clockin thewintrymorningof December
in the operatingroom noticed
nurse
a
throughoutSt.Joseph'sHospital. Almost immediately
flamei gushingout of the QuakerOatsfactorywhich wasonly a few blocksaway. Shealerted
at the time. As he was the attendirg
Doctor F.P. McNulty who wasdoing an appendectomy
physicianfor the Quakeroats company,he left the suturingfor his assistantto completeand
he rushedto the main floor to take charge. Everyonelnew that casualtieswould soon be
arriving.
Patientswho couldbe safelylookedafter in their homesweredischargedso asto free as
manyas possibleof the hospitals'thirty-five beds. Surgicalbookingswerecancelledand only
the urgent medicalcaseswere to be admitteduntil after the emergencyperiod had passed.
Maternitypatientswere to be deliveredat homeif at all possible'
Doctor McNulty placedthe order for all the seriouslyburnedand injured to be heated
in the operatingroom. The operatingroom supervisor,SisterSt.Josephand as many of the
equipment,blankets,bed linen'
and assembled
nursingstaff as possible,quickly assessed
dressingsand other suppliesavailablethroughoutthe hospital. They begansettingup dressing
tableson the main floor, and in the corridorsas well as in the operatingroom'
15
As dressings
andbandages
werein shortsupply,a numberof Sistersfrom theHouseof
Providence
nextdoorandfrom MountSt.Joseph,
madequantities
from
of largepadsandsponges
bolts of gauzeand had thesereadyfor the sterilizer. Bed linen had to be torn to provide
additionalbandages.A quantityof freshtannicacidsolutionwaspreparedin the dispensary.
This solution,whensprayed
on burnedareaswouldhelpeasepain,promotehealingandprevent
secondary
infectionsin manycases.Sterilevaselinewasaisomadeready.
As soonas newsof thedisasterreached
Toronto,St. Michael'sHospitalresponded
by
sendingnursesandsupplies.
As therewasonlyoneambulance
in thecity, thecasualties
startedarrivingon improvised
sffetchers
and thenon sleighsor whateverconveyance
couldbe had. Screamsfrom pain and
hysteriafilled the air.
More chaosfollowedwhenthefamiliesof themenwho hadgoneto work in thefactory
thatmorningbegangathering
at thehospitalin search
of theirlovedones. Thenmoreandmore
peoplearrived,anxiousto helpin any waypossible.
A numberof factoryemployees
wereimmediately
assigned
asorderlies.Soonmenwere
groaningwith painandpleadingfor help,theirclothingpartiallybumedoff.
lying everywhere,
- andstill morecasualties
Otherswereashenandunconscious,
continuedto arrive.
By now, moredoctorswereon the sceneanda screeningprocessbeganto separatethe
deadfrom the dying, and the critical casesfrom the lessseverelyinjured. Largedosesof
Morphinewereadministered
asquicklyaspossibleandthemostseriouscaseswerelakento the
operatingroom for immediateattention.
The seeminglylessserioushadto remainlying on blanketsin the corridorsandempty
spaces
until bedsbecameavailable.Extrablankets,hot-waterbottlesandevenheatedflat-irons
wereplacedaroundthecasualties
in aneffortto combatshock.Inhalations
of smellingsaltsand
whiskeyandbrandyin milk or waterto thosewho couldswallow,providedsomestimulation.
Laudanumwas also usedto help relievetheir agonizingpain. Therewere many who had
fracturesto copewith as well as their bums. Tannicacidspraysandvaselinedressings
were
usedextensively.
The hospitalregisterof December
11, 1916listedthosepersonsadmittedthatday with
thediagnosis
of burns. Thisrecorddoesnotcontaininformationon thenumberstreatedasoutpatientsor on thosedeadon arrivalat St.Joseph's
Hospital.
t6
After a few daysthe odor of bumt tissuewasbecomingvery pronounced.The pungent
smellwassuppressed
to someextentby fumesfrom oil of eucalyptuswhich wasburnedin sauce
pansin the corridorsand wards. Evencord string left smoulderinghelpedto clear the air for
a while.
Bocauseskin grafting wasnot availableat that time, the bumt areaswhich healedwere
coveredwith extensivescarsandcontractures.Manyburnsbecamebadly infected. Thesewere
usuallytreatedwith wet dressingssoakedin salinesolution.Eusolsolution,a prepamtionfrom
effectandin somecasesit promotedhealing.
chlorideof lime wasalsousedfor its cleansing
Somefaceswere so badly burnedthat the eyelidscould not closecompletelyand often the lips
remaineddistorted,resultingin permanent
dishgurement.
This disastertestedthe skill of doctorsandnursesandtheresourcesof the hospital. The
challengewas met with self-sacrificeon the part of manypeopleand the spirit of serviceand
and often narrated.
compassionwaslong remembered
Original 1890Wing
t7
The SpanishInfluenza
(1918-1919)
The deadlySpanishInfluenzawhichravagedEuropeafter the first world war, andspread
acrossNorth America,hit Peterborough
in the fall of 1918.
The local MedicalSocietyrecordeda tributeto oneof their members,Dr.C.H. Amys
who was medicalofficer of healthat the time:
in rousinglocalauthorities
to theseriousness
"He waslargelyinstrumental
and imminentdangerof an epidemic. The Peterborough
outbreakwas
better handledthan in a numberof larger municipalitiesand with a
remarkablylower deathrate. He sawto theconversionof theold Oriental
hotel building into an emergencyhospitaland madeready for patients
within one week. He advocatedthe temporaryclosing of churches,
theatresandotherplaceswherenumbersof peoplewouldassemble."
The epidemicwas so suddenand so intensethat both city hospitalswere quickly
and
overcrowded.Thosebroughtto hospitalhavebeendescribed
asbeing"blueasblueberries"
were spittingblood. For someunknownreason,personsin the twentyto thirty agebmcket
seemedmost susceptible
to fatal complications,
which in the majority of casesresultedin
pneumonia.The victimswere strickensuddenlywith violentchills, terribledizziness,high
temperature
anddelirium.
The doctors were baffled since neither medicinenor other treatmentseemedto be
effectivein relievingsymptomsor controllingthe spreadof the disease. Quinine,Dover's
Powdersand steaminhalationsto which mentholcrystalswere added,gavesomerelief as did
[aws which existedat the time made
brandyor whiskeyin hot drinks. However,Temperance
it difficult to obtainliquor. Injectionsof caffeineandadrenalinweregivenin somecasesand
recordsshowthatsuctioncupsto drawoff "badblood"werealsoused. Numeroushomemade
remedieshandeddown from anothergenerationwereoftenresortedto, in an attemptto find an
effectivetreatment.
Doctorsandnursesworkedaroundtheclockmanydaysandnightsandseveralsuccumbed
or the Houseof
to the diseasethemselves.As the 'flu' had not yet hit Mount St.Joseph
Providence,the Sistersliving in theseresidences
wereable to help at the hospitaland also to
visit the strickenin theirhomes.SisterSt. Mauricerecalled"thefrighteningsightshewitnessed
of the many funeralspassingon MonaghanRoadto the cemeterynearby."
By early Decemberthe'flu' had struckat Mount St.Joseph
and somethirty to forty
Sisterscontractedit. A numberof deathsresultedand many who survived, later developed
pulmonarytuberculosis,deafness,nephritisand heartdamage.
18
ThediocesanArchivesnotedappreciationof thework doneby DoctorJamesV. Gallivan
duringthe epidemicin his medicalcareandattentionto the sick at Mount St. Josephand at
St.Vincent'sOrphanage
on LondonStreet.
had
Thehospitalrecordsshowthatsixtycases
of 'flu andtwenty-fourcasesofpneumonia
beenadmittedfrom mid-October19i8 to May 1919. By springthe causativeorganismsof
SpanishInfluenzaseemedto havedisappeared.
t9
1920- 1940
The existinghospitalaccommodation
wasagainbecominginadequateto servethe growing
needsof the Peterboroughcommunity.
Rt. ReverendM.J. O'Brien, diocesanBishop(1913-1929)and his committeedecidedthat
a secondextensionwas required to provide more accommodationfor patients and improved
servicesfor the whole hospita,.
Thus, in March 1921ArchitectA.R.Holmesof Toronto wasengagedto prepareplansfor
a four-storeystructureon the southsideof the existingbuilding. It would provide seventy-five
additionalbedsand would include a segregated
obstetricalserviceand operatingrooms. There
provided
would also be space
for laboratory,X-Ray and pharmacyservices,and an electrically
opented passengerelevatorservingall floors,
Tendersfor the new building were openedin July 1921and the contractwas awardedto
the RussellConstructionCompanyof Toronto. Excavationsbeganpromptly and the cornerstone
was laid on the fourth of September,1921.
A three-daybazaarwas held in the marketsquarewhich netted$8,000. towardsthe cost
of the building. Also, SenatorFrank O'Connorpaid for the entirefurnishingsfor the obstetrical
floor. In addition the frrst floor was completelyfurnishedfrom the estateof Jamesand Hannah
O'Brien. In appreciationof thesegifts, wall plaqueswere erectedwhere they remaineduntil
the areas were renovated years later.
Additional services were located on the ground floor. These included a special diet
kitchen in which was installed an electrically operated waiter for transporting meal trays to
patient areas. Also on this floor was live-in accommodationfor an orderly.
The new wing was formally openedJune 8, 1922. Prior to the program, the Bishop
celebratedMass in the hospitalchapeland blessedthe new rooms, asking God's blessingupon
the patientsand all who would servethe sick within its walls. The public was invited to 'open
house'from 2:00 P.M. to 10:00P.M.
Excerpt form PeterboroughEveningExaminer, Iune 6, 1922
"New Wing of St. Joseph'sHospital, East City"
.. . "the site of the building is one of the most commandingelevationsin
its own dairy farm wherethoroughbred
Peterborough
... the hospitalpossesses
holsteincattlesupplymilk for the establishment
... and its own chickenrun,
givingthefreshestof fresheggs... Thenewadditionis 153feetlongcomposed
A
trim, andis of fire-proofconstruction.
of pressed
brick with Indianalimestone
roof gardenonthestoreytogether
with two splendidsunrooms
andthreebalconies
patients... A powerfulvacuumcleanerin the
addto thecomfortof convalescent
furnishesa meansof cleaningeveryroom ... "
basement
20
This was also graduationday for the classof 1922. The ceremonytook place in the
mens'ward, thepatientshavingbeentransfenedto thenew wing.
muted,in sympathywith the
Thejubilationof the newgraduatenurseswassomewhat
guestspeaker,DoctorGallivan,whosewife haddiedonly a few dayspreviously,followinga
ceasarean
section.
After work on the newwing wascompleted,
theold structurewasrenovated,andthen
usedfor medicalandinfectiouscasesanda newchildren'sward. The third floor continuedto
providesleepingaccommodation
for the sistersandpupil nursesfor anothertwenty-fiveyears.
The following statisticalinformationhasbeenexcerptedfrom a hospitalrcport in 1922.
Analvsisof HosoitalServices
for December1922
Numberof patientsadmitted
Numberof patientsdischarged
Numberof births
Numberof operations
Consultations
55
68
6
22
3
X-Rav Examinations
LaboratoryTests
fluoroscopics
plates
gastro-intestinal
gall-bladders
fiactures
chest
eye
urinalysis 37
7
blood
coagulations17
4
sputum
pathology
2
46
6
2
10
2
I
Medical Staff
President
:
Dr.McNulty
Vice-President:
Dr.Neal
Secretary
:
Dr.Mann
Doctors:McPherson,
O'Brien,McNair, Carmichael,
Baker,Gallivan,Louden,Hawey,Hammond,
Yelland,W.D. Scott,Sutton,McCullough,
MacDougall,King, Bucharan,Morgan,Wood.
21
The next goal for administrationwasto meetrequirements
of Standardsof PatientCare
in Hospitals. The Americancollege of Surgeonshad blazedthe trail in l9l7 for the
developmentof hospitalstandards,and their programwasknown as HospitalStandardization,
a term which was later changedto Accreditation. The programincludedinspectionand the
grantingof a certificateof approvalto the hospitalswhich qualified.
To s€tthe stagefor the undertaking,theBishophosteda dinnerfor the medicaistaff, and
_
he askedthe president,Dr.F.P.McNulty,a prominentsurgeon,to selecttwo doctorsfor a
committeeto work towardsachievement
of that goal.
on August5, 1922,an inspectorfrom the Americancollege of Surgeons
visitedthe
hospital. The following yeara certificateof approvalwasreceivedstatingthai the hospitalhad
met the standardssetout in the programanddeclaredit a model.
Administrationof the hospitalwas graduallybecomingmore difficult and broader
information and supportin its management
was neededin order to continueto upgradeits
standards.Thus, soonafter the frrst canadianchapterof the Americancatholii Hospital
Association
wasfoundedin 1922thehospitalobtained
membership
in thisnationalorganization.
Its mainpurposewasto providea strongerlink betweenmemberCatholichospitals
ln orderro
maintainthe Christianphilosophyof patientcare.
, . .ln 1928the hospitalreceivedapprovalwith an A rating from the Americancollege of
Physicians
and Surgeons.
In 1929the hospitaljoinedtheOntarioHospitalAssociation
whichhadbeenfoundedin
1924' This wasa voluntaryassociation
of provincialhospitals
andrelatedinstitutionsworking
togetherto achievethe higheststandardof patientcarethrougheducationand research. A
certificateof enrolmentin 1929is in thehospitalarchives.
Meanwhileacrossthe province,nurseswere becomingconcernedover the lack of
standards
for nursingpractice.A Nursingcommitteehadbeenformedin 1915for thepurpose
of upgradingthenurses'trainingandof pressing
for legislation
but it wasnot passedurtit tgZZ.
A qu€stionnairewasthendesignedandsentto theninety-twohospitalsin theprovinceopenting
trainingschoolsfor nurses. A copyof thecompleted
questionnaire
submiltedby St.joseph's
'The
Hospitalrraining school,datedApril 20, 1923is filedin theschoolof NursingAichives.
original is the first documentin the school'spermanentrecord at the college of Nursesof
ontario, an evidenceof the School's approval as of that date. The appioval continued
unintemrptedlythroughoutits historywhichculminatedin July 1974when-it was officially
closed. Recordsof all of its graduateswerethen transferredto Sir SandfordFlemins Collese
Division of Nursing. The original bylawsc.1920of st.Joseph'sHospitalNursei elum"ni
Associationmay be seenin the Schoolof NursingArchives.
ZL
of NursesAct wereissued,
of the 1922Registration
for administration
WhenRegulations
TheMinisterof Health
to thenewrequirements.
voicedstrongopposition
a numberof hospitals
thenordereda Nationalsurveybe madefirst,
wasformedto proceedwith thedirectiveandDoctorG.S.Cameron,
A StudyCommittee
its chairman.Thesurveywasmadeby Doctor
prominent
wasappointed
Peterborough
surgeon
a
and
GeorgeWeir and theWeir Reportwaspublishedin 1932. lt highlightedthe inadequacies
inconsistencies
of thenurses'trainingacrossCanada.
worldwar werecritical
of thesecond
Thegreatdepression
of the'30'sandthemagnitude
periodsin the hospital. Therewasno provincialhealthplan for financingandotherformsof
wre practicallynon-existent.Iegislationinitiatedin 1929for the Old Age Pension
insurance
wereoften
yearsandolder. Hospitalaccounts
seventy
providedonly $20.00monthlyto persons,
paid in farm produce.
of helpin the hospital.The war
shortage
As the war ragedon, therewasan increasing
of
werescarceandmethods
effortclaimedmoreandmoreof theable-bodied.Medicalsupplies
in
the
hospital
and
both
disinfectionwerelimitedandoftenineffective.Unhygienicconditions
communitycreatedadditionalproblemsbecauseof relaxedregulationsfor inspectionand
pediculosis,
ringworm,etc. rarelyseenformerlyhadnow to be
sanitation.Impetigo,scabies,
with patients'criticalillnesses.Therewasa rapidincrease
dealtwith frequentlyin conjunction
andlittle time or helpto disinfectunitsafter patient
in the numberof patientsfor admission,
whosowillingly helpedat whateverjobs
volunteers
The
number
of
local,
dedicated
discharges.
to thework load.
theycoulddo, wereindispensable
DoctorR.J. Youngopenedhis medicalpracticein the city in 1933andhe relateshis
impressions
andsomeof his experiences.
(Thetapedinterviewis in the Schoolof NursingArchives.)
" Therewere 28-30family physiciansin city practiceand no specialists.Methodsof
treatmentwere antiquatedand hospitalequipmentsparse. Anaestheticswere limited to
chloroformandetheruntil gasmachinescameon the market. Therewasno medication
to combat infections. No coagulantswere yet available. Phlebitis a frequent
complication. . . home deliveriescommonpractice... we carried out our medical
Hospitalstafffor the
responsibilities
asbestwe couldin thesetimesandcircumstances.
nurses,veryfew lay graduates
andlittle domestichelp
mostpartweretheSisters,student
insurmountable
tasksduring
great
individuals
who
handled
almost
...
creditis dueto the
thesetoushtimes.
L)
Communicablediseases
werebeingbroughtundercontrolwith the scientificdiscoveries
in bacteriologyas well as immunologyand administrationof vaccinesand antitoxins.
Sporadiccasesof Diphtheria,ScarletFeverand Polio occurredin the city... However
there wasa diphtheriaepidemicin 1933and the local isolationhospitalwas frlled with
patients
...
Fracturesweretreatedwith splintsandtapingandsubsequently
manypatientsdied from
pneumonia.Treatmentfor heartconditionswaslimited mostlyto oxygenand morphine.
Severecasesdied from cardiacarrest, Therewas no city ambulance
at this time ...
There was no emergencyroom in the hospitalfor someyears,accidentswere mostly
industrialandfarm type ... few cars... drugswerenot available....
TheTorontoStar(February28, 1938)reported:Sulfanilamide
first usedin St. Joseph's
Hospitalto treat a caseof streptococcal
pneumonia,...
'I (Dr. Young)recallthispatientwhomI treatedwith massivedosesof sulfaintravenously
and I employedspecialnursesaroundthe clock. Shewas so critically ill ... and she
recovered. Without the drug, I doubtif shewould havesurvived."
Therewasgradualincreasein the useof X-ray andlaboratorytechnologyfor diagnostic
purposes.
The discoveryof insulin by Bantingand Bestin 1921revolutionizedthe treatmentof
Diabetes. Also, in 1926 liver extract by injection becameavailable making a dramatic
improvementin the quality of life for patientswith perniciousanemia.
u
St.Joseph'sHospital- 1922Wng
1890and 1922rNingViewedfrom Armour Road
Ca 1965
25
1922Wing
LR Main entrance; Inforrnation desk
OperatingRoom;Public Ward
SectionIII
1940s
Beforelaunchinginto thethird phaseofour story,thereadermaywish to reflectbriefly
it wasthe foundationfor the
on a pictureof St. Joseph'sHospitalfifty yearsago. Regardless,
whichhastrken placeduringthe secondhalf of our century.
rapidgrowthand development
in medicalscienceand
advances
More thananythingelse,it hasbeenthercsultof unpamlleled
technologyover this period.
wasgainedin thetreatmentof casualtiesduring
Much medicalknowledgeandexperience
world war II. Antibiotics and chemotherapy,and increasingvarieties of pharmaceutical
of their
andwith this, a newunderstanding
werefastbecomingavailablein Canada
substances
usesanddangersfrom sideeffects.
wasdoubling. Therewas a markedincreasein the
The populationof Peterborough
numberof medicalpractitionersand specialistssettingup practicehere. With the development
of drugs effectiveagainstpneumoniaand bacterialinfectionsand the emergenceof more and
needfor hospitalcare. The increasein
betterdiagnostictools, therewas a colresponding
servicesofferedalsohelpedto bring abouta changein perceptionofthe public's attitudetowards
.
hospitalization
to setup practicein the city in the mid-forties
Four first full-time certifiedanaesthetists
tapedsomeof their early hospitalexperiences.
"Ether and chloroform were the substancesin use here for general anaesthetics.
but little wasyet knownof its hazards'... Therewas
PentotholSodiumwasintroduced
no recoveryroom,no intensivecareunit, no wall suctionexceptin theoperatingrooms,
from tanksandtherewaslittle monitoringequipment.
oxygenwasadministered
Curare and cyclopropanethen becameavailable. New drugs along with a better
of the valueof combinationscontributedmuchto the safetyand comfort
understanding
for the patient. ... Many peoplehad long refusedsurgerybecauseof their fear of the
solutionshadbeenmostlylimitedto glucoseandsalineand
anaesthetic
... Intravenous
administered
throughrubbertubingwhichcouldwithstandfrequentsterilization.... no
etc.
syringes,needles,
disposable
fee
aseithera minoror majorprocedure.The anaesthetist's
The surgerywasdescribed
of the lengthof time of surgery
was$5.00for minorand$10.00for major,regardless
a serious
or the critical stateof patient'scondition... While using cyclopropane,
when
the tank
they
recalled,
in
occurred,
accidentwhich could haveresulted tragedy,
blew up in the operatingroom. "Not infrequentlywould a nursehaveto resuscitatea
to an eight-bedward."
patientwho wasretumed,unconscious
n
A centralsupplyroom was begunin the 1930'sin room #36 on the secondfloor.
However, suppliesand equipmentwerevery limited. Needlesand syringeswere sterilizedby
boiling;ready-made
wereunheardof. Theuseof theautoclave
andwater
andsteriledressings
sterilizerandanyemergencyequipmenthadto benegotiated
within thedemandsof theoperating
room schedule.
patientswas urgently needed, A room on the
A recovery room for anaesthetized
room and
operatingroom floor in usefor casts,wasdesignated
for a temporarypost-anaesthetic
it could accommodatethree or four patientson stretchers. This area was set up with what
monitoringequipment
solutions
wasavailable:suctionmachine,
andoxygenin tanks,intravenous
andmedications.
Newerdrugswerebecomingavailable,alsodisposable
syringes,needles,intravenous
equipmentand the gasmachine.
A registered
nursewasassigned
to theareauntil thepatients'conditionswerestabilized.
This limited accommodation
for the vital serviceof a recoveryroom serveda rapidly
growing needuntil more and betterspacecould be provided.
staff, all trainedon thejob
Nursing aides,orderlies,ward secretaries
andhousekeeping
gradually
were
beingemployed.Now a newdemandwascreatedfor additionalhospitalworkers
with basic training, who could assistin the increasinglysophisticatedmedical and surgical
Eeatment
of illness.
More extensiveand costly treatmentswere being introduced; higher standardsof
accommodation
and betterpreparedstaff were in demand,all of which contributedto higher
operatingcostsfor the hospital.
Institutionin 1894and wasownedby the
The hospitalhadbeenlistedas a Charitable
EpiscopalCorporationof thePeterborough
diocese.It wasclassifredasa public generalhospital
of the province and qualified to receiveprovincial and municipal grants. It is true that
govemmentand municipalitiesgavesubsidiesbut this formedonly a small portion of the total
revenuerequired.
The Sisters had recently been notified that the late SenatorFrank O'Connor had
bequeathed
$100,000.from his estateto be usedfor buildingpurposes.It wason March 19,
(1943-1945),
of St.Joseph's
1944thatBishopJ.R.MacDonald
transferred
theDeedof Ownership
Hospial !o the Sistersof St. Jos€ph.
28
Existing hospitalbuildingsacrossthe provincehad to be expandedor replaced. The
growing need for constructioncapital led to Ontario's introduction of Capital Grants for
Hospitalsin 1948. Therewasno hospitalinsurarcecoverage.The pre-paidhospitalinsurance
plan was not introducedfor anotherten years.
A CommunityNursing Registry for private duty nursing was openedin the city in
October1948. This systemreplacedthat of eachhospitaltrying to operateits own registry.
The HospitalAuxiliary heldits inauguralmeetingon lanrwy 26, 1946at whichMrs.
Frank Lynch waselectedits first president. Its generalaim was to assistthe hospitalthrough
volunteerservices.Its initial workconsisted
of sewingandmendinghospitallinensandmaking
surgicaldressings.
It wasobviousthatthe time hadcometo expandandrenovate.Therewasan urgentneed
for additionalpatientaccommodation
and more spacefor growth, and new departmentsand
services. The hospitalwas fast becominga larger, morecomplicatedand technicaloperation.
The recordsshowa continuous
succession
of additions,renovations,
demolitionsandrelocationsof departments
and services,in an effort to keeppaceat the local level with advances
in medicineandto providethepeopleof the city andareawith thebestservicespossiblewithin
the constraintsof budgetand humanresourcesandexpertise.
Building and Renovation Program
leadershipfor an extensive
SisterPriscilla, administrator(1947-L953)gavethenecessary
building programto get underway.It wouldconsistof four units; Nurses'ResidenceandSchool
of Nursing;a modernPowerPlantandIaundry with a connectingtunnel,andthe fourth phase,
a new wing to the hospitalwhich wouldprovideseventy-fiveadditionalbedsandexpandedand
new services.
Nurses Residenceand School of Nursing
The eighty-fourbedresidenceandschoolof nursing,a fire-proof building, wasdesigned
by Architect E.J. Turcotteof Montreal and the generalcontractwas handledby the Piggott
Construction
Companyof Hamilton.
May 3, 1946BishopG. Berry (1945-1953)
turnedthe sodnorth of the hospitalon the
propertywhich had beenpurchasedaboutforty yearsearlier from the estateof Mrs. Wall.
The comerstoneof the structurewas laid Oclober 27, 1946 and the building was
completedin the fall of 1947at a costof $240,000. It providedbedroomaccommodationfor
64 students,auditorium,loungesandreceptionrooms. Twentyadditionalbedroomswould be
finishedat a later date.
29
The residence
andschoolof nursingwasformallyopenedon December8, 1947. The
of Massby BishopBerry in the beautiful
ceremonies
of the day beganwith the celebration
auditoriumwith Sisters,nursesandfriendspresent.The Sisters'choir from nearbyMountSt.
Josephprovidedmusicandsinging.
paidtributeto thosepioneerSisterswhofifty
BishopBerryin hisaddress
to theassembly
yearsearlierhadestablished
thefirst hospitalon thishill. Theircourageandpatiencein theface
of greatdifficulty helpedto makepossiblethis beautifulschoolandresidence.
at thepublicgatheringheldat 4:00 p.m. The
CardinalMcGuiganof Torontopresided
platformguestsrepresenting
a capacityaudience.
and
officialsaddressed
Church
Government
andtea. Conducted
toursfollowed.
TheLadiesHospitalAuxiliaryhostedthereception
Power Plant and Laundry
ThenewPowerPlantwith a heatingsystemwouldservetheentirebuildingcomplexand
the new laundry facility erectedon the southside. A tunnel connectedwith residenceand
hospitalandall wascompleted
andin operationfor theopening. The costwas$190,000.
Pediatrics
As soonasthe residence
andschoolof nursingwerereadyfor use,somespacebecame
availablein theC wing, mainfloor. TheChildren'sWardon Women'sMedicalwastransferred
to the classroomarea.
Emergency
There was now a pressingneedto find spacefor emergencyserviceso the Sisters
from ArmourRoad. Therewasno
relinquished
their communityroomwhichhadan entrance
sink or runningwaterin the room. At first, it wasservicedon a part-timebasisand by the
op€ratingroom staff.
The frrst nurse. (Irene Boucher)describesone of her memorable
Two distraught
mothersrushedin carryingtwo toddlerswho
experiences.
to both
had drunk "diaperwash". Emeticswereprompdyadministered
wasalmostspontaneous.
childrenlying on the samestretcher.Response
The mothershelpedas theycouldwhile the nursedashedacrossthe hall
manytimesto emptybasinsin thehopper.The familyphysicianarrived
on the sceneto find the infantsreadyfor dischargeandthe mothersmore
awareof whatmighthappenon washday.
30
(SisterMary Agnes)relatesthefollowingmemoir:
A Nursingsupervisor,
A man walkedin the Armour Roadentranceabout I o'clock in the
morning. His car hadbeenside-swiped
by a train at the crossingnear
we found
MariaStreetandhedidn't appearto bein pain. Onexamination
hisarmhangingin hiscoatsleeveandalmostcompletely
severed.He was
of coursein a stateof shock. He losthis armbut otherwisemadea sood
fecovery.
Thegoverningandmanagement
boardof Sistersthenformeda HospitalAdvisoryBoard
of
for counselon business
matters.Initially, this boardwascomprised
of men,representative
for three-year
terms.
the communityservedby the hospital.Theywereappointed
of theAdvisoryBoardwith theSistersmaybe
Someexcerptsfrom minutesof meetings
of interestto the reader.
to build
1945- A letterfrom DoctorVivian,Ministerof Healthfor Ontario,grantingpermission
an additionto thehospital.
1946- A delegation
from thehospitalboardmetwith theCountyclerk to requesta grantfrom
the Countytowardthe 1945deficit.
1947- A, certifiedcopy of By-Law Number4568 passedby the City of Peterborough
to
of theDioceseof Peterborough.
authorizepaymentof Grantsto theSistersof St.Joseph
1947- Theorganization
of theAdvisoryBoardto includethefollowingcommittees:
Nominating,
Financeand Property.
1947- A letter from S.A. Holding, OntarioDepartment
of Healthpromisingthat the local
hospitalswoulddo chestclinic work presentlybeingdoneby a travellingclinic. The
proposed
paymentto eachhospitalwas$2.50perfilm. Thiswouldincludefilm, negative
preservative,developerandfixer, depreciation
on equipment,tubeandvalve replacement
and mailing to Toronto. The Boardacceptedthis proposal.
31
X-Rav Deoartment
(SisterLucille Cavanaghrecallssomeearly memories).
This servicehad begunin a room on the fourth floor of the 1890-Cwing
in 1913and was moved to two rooms on the fourth floor of the 1922 A
wing. It now was transferredto the main floor of C wing where it had
someadditionalspace:a radiographyroom, a dark room and office for the
acting radiologist,and a room to begin a physiotherapyservice.
In the mid-fortiesapprovalwas receivedto open a Schoolfor studentsin
X-Ray Technology. SisterAdeltrudewas its first director.
The schoolwas discontinuedin 1985whena CommunityCollegein Toronto took
over the program. About eighty studentshad graduatedfrom our school.
LATJNDRYAND LINEN SER\TCE
(HugoVan Hol)
A newlaundrywasbuilt in 1947to serveabout140beds. Theservicewasre-organized
to functionas a department.
Themainequipment
at thattimeconsisted
two tumblers,two extractors,
of two washers,
wasmadeby theCanadian
onefour-rollironerandtwo pressunitsfor uniforms.A11equipment
laundry Machineryof Toronto.
From 1947to 1963,thelinento be washedincreased
from 300,000poundsto 700,000
poundsperyear. Thiswasdueto theincreasing
volumeof patientservices,
alsostaffuniforms,
and studentuniformswhich includedstarchedbibs and apronsas well. This requiredthe
purchase
of an extrapressunit in 1952.
laundryunit was
With theopeningof MarycrestHomefor theAgedin 1959,a separate
put in place. Previously,the Houseof Providence
hadusedthehospital'slaundrymachinery.
When the D wing was put into servicein 1963,the amountof linen to be washed
increased
to almost1,500,000poundsper year. To takecareof this additionalvolume,a new
400 poundautomaticwasher-extractor
wereinstalledin 1964,a new 100
and water-softener
poundtumblerwaspurchased
of the
in 1965anda new automaticfolder in 1966. Because
modernequipmentused,therewasonly a minimumincrease
of staffrequired. A1so,the old
methodof mendingsurgicallinenon sewingmachines
hadto be discarded
because
of resulting
pin holesanda patchingmachinewaspurchased
in 1964.
)z
In 1968to economize
on handlingtime,surgicalbundlesusedin operatingrooms,labor
weremadeup in thelaundry. At this timealso,
anddeliveryrooms,andcentralsupplyservices
linenquotasfor patientandserviceareasweredeliveredby requisition.
All in all, it was a well run laundryand linen service,with modernequipmentand
efficiencyproducingcleanwhitelinenat oneof thelowestcostsper poundin Ontario.
wassix centsper
The costof laundry,whichincludeduniforms,andsurgicalpackaging
poundin 1971.
and
wereexpanding
In 1970thePeterborough
CivicandLindsayRossMemorialhospitals
laundryto servethe
requirednew laundries.So the ideawasborn to build a newcentralized
threehospitalsandmoveinto the futureneeds.
andmoneywhichhadbeen
St.Joseph's
Hospitalhesitated
because
of its newequipment
was
from the Ministry agreement
investedin its laundryfacility. However,with thepressure
reachedandthe newcentrallaundry,theKawarthaLinenService,wasopenedin 1972.
Hugo Van Hof wasits first generalmanager1972to 1986.
Department
The spaceis now usedby the Purchasing
and stockroom.
CentralSupplyRoom
33
1950s
The fourth phaseof the building programbeganwith the turning of the sod October4,
1948 for the 1950 wing. E.J. Turcotte of Montreal, the architect, and Piggott Construction
Companyof Hamilton continuedthe project.
Nostalgia was evident as the huge machinery was moved in and mowed down the
beautiful treesin front of the hospitaland along the driveway, making way for the seventy-five
bed wing and expandedservices. The cost was $500,000.
The comerstonewas blessedand put in place by Bishop Gerald Berry, May ll, 1949.
The completedbuilding was officially openedMay 3, 1950by HonourableI-eslie Frost.
In his remarks,the Premiercongratulatedthe Sisterson their achievements,on this the
sixtieth anniversarysincethe hospital'ssimplebeginningsin 1890with twenty-five beds.
"You have been faithful to a vision calculated to bring great good
to the local communityand to the Province."
He remindedthe assemblythat the Provincehad initiateda systemof grantsto hospitals
for constructionand maintenance.In addition, "this hospitalwould qualify for the specialgrants
which were being madein 1950 to eachhospitalin the Province."
This fact was re-iteratedby His Worship, Mayor Max J. Swanston, to overcome
to
contentionvoiced by a delegationof local citizenswho were objectingto flnancial assistance
St. Joseph'sHospitalon the groundsthat it was not a public generalhospital. Subsequently,the
1950 municipal budgetincludeda grant of $10,650. to the hospital.
Following the ribbon-cuttingceremony, tourswereconducted. Many of the guestsj oined
in the celebrationof the 1950graduatingexercisesof the schoolof nursingbeing conductedthat
afternoonin the residenceauditorium.
The new wing contained three floors for patients which increased the hospital's
accommodationto 167 adult bedsand 31 bassinets.Fluorescentlighting was installedin halls
and serviceareas,and telephonesin private and semi-privaterooms.
The ground floor provided a new dietary food serviceand kitchen facility, spacefor
administrativeand businessoffrces,switchboard,medicallibrary and gift shoppeand a miniature
chestX-Ray unit. The Provincialdepartmentof healthhad recentlyrequiredall patientsto have
a chestX-Ray on admissionto hospital.
34
The basementlevel provided spacefor a cafeteriaand storageareasand machineryfor
the passengerelevatorand dumb waiter.
In 1951a renovationprogramwascarriedout, beginningon the fourth floor of the 1922
wing in order to extendthe obstetricalservice. This provideda new nursery,formula room and
labor and delivery rooms.
Notablechangesin obstetricalcare were urgent. An epidemicof dysenteryamongstthe
newbornhad occurredin severalhospitalsthroughoutthe Province. The Ontario Government
was madeawarethat the care had to be updatedand thus funds were provided to enablenurses
to take a four-week extension course in Maternal and Infant care. Hospitals were also
reimbursed for new equipment, By means of these grants the hospilal acquired its ftrst
incubator,formula sterilizerand refrigeratorand an oxygenanalyzer.
Sister lrretta Fitzgerald,the obstetricalsupervisorat the time, attendedthe courseand
she introduced new proceduresand policies which were a breakthroughinto the traditional
methods.
Babies' formulae were now preparedin individual bottlesfor eachfeeding, sterilizedin
formula
a
sterilizerand then storedin a separaterefrigerator. One nurserecallsan experience
shehad with the new methodin the nursery. There were three setsof twins, all on three-hour
feedingsin addition to a record numberof babieson four-hour feedings. (Breastfeedingwas
not emphasizedat the time).
The hospital begancharginga daily fee of two dollars for the care of each baby, and
practiceof collectinga packageof safetypins and baby powder.
discontinueda long-established
The hospitalrecord showsthere were 1075births in 1954.
The new centralizedfacility for mealtrays and specialdiets was a sheerjoy for nursing
as it marked the demiseof kitchenson eachfloor for servingfood and washingdishes. Gone
also were the linen napkins, tray covers and fancy dishes for patients' trays. These were
replacedby paper goods and sturdy porcelaindisheswhich could withstand the dishwashing
machine. Trays were now set up on a conveyorbelt, the first of its kind in Peterboroughand
deliveredon cartsto the patientareas. Within two weeksmealtraysand nourishmentwerebeing
distributedfrom the centralkitchen to all patientsthroughoutthe hospital.The menu systemfor
patientswas introducedin September1952.
35
DietaryTransition
(Ihe dietitian who supervisedthe implementingof this new service,recallsafter forty years,
someinteresting
details.)
From 1922-1950
foodfor patientsandstaffwasprepared
in the 1890kitchen. Foodfor
patientsin privateroomsor on specialdietswaspreparedin a smallkitchenin the basementand
sentto the floors wherenursesandaidesservedanddeliveredthese. Eachprivateroom hada
specialsetof dishes,(usuallythegift of a gratefulpatient),linentray coversembroideredor with
hand-madelaceborders. Serviceto the staff wasin four separatedining areas.
On the groundfloor of the 1950wing, a modemDietaryDepartmentwasopened. Tray
serviceon the assemblyline systemwasbegunin March 1950on a thirty foot conveyorbelt.
First Day of Operation
The first helperplacedcutleryandpatients'identificationcardon a pal)gltray cover. The
secondhelperplacedsugar,pepperandsalt,serviette,cupandsaucer.... Herethewoesbegan!trying to find a matchingplateandcerealbowl, asoneservedthecerealor maincourse- Panic!
who could find matchingdishesand servethe food beforethe next tray movedalong the belt!
Thememoryis of a 2-hourservice,hungrypatientsandconfusedfloor staff. By 3:30p.m. the
disheshad gonethroughthe moderndishwasher,the trayswere cleanedand ready for supper
service.
By now, it wasobviousthat disheswith the samepatternmustbe releasedfrom storage.
Surpriseskept coming but the joys of having Food servicecentralizedand a dish-washing
machinein operationgavestaffsof dietaryandpatientareasmuchcauseto be grateful.
A year later the Cafeteriawasopenedon the groundfloor to servestaff and visitors.
36
Plansfor the replacementof the 1890wing werebeingconsidered.However, demolition
would cut off a number of serviceslocatedhere. Consultants'advice was soughtand it was
decidedto delay the undertakinguntil after the "D" wing could be constructed. The proposed
new buildingwould connectwith the 1950wing.
The cafeteriafacilitieswere finishedand in operationJanuary1, 1952. During this year
also the unfinishedportion of the residencewas completedand a passengerelevator installed.
This work was done by the EastwoodConstructionCompanyof Peterborough.
Relocation of departmentsand servicescontinuedas spacebecameavailable. The
hospital chapel was transferredtemporarily to the residencelounge in August 1951. The
radiology departmentnow on the main floor of the 1922wing, was extendedinto the spacethus
created.
The hospitalchapelwas restoredto its presentlocationfrom the Armour Road entrance
after the demolition of the 1890wing.
Space was now available in the basementarea of the 1890 wing to centralize
housekeepingserviceswhich up to this point were under the supervisionof nursing. Sister
Margaret Allen had completeda course in Hospital Housekeepinggiven at Michigan State
University and in 1957 she was appointedthe hospital's first executive housekeeper. She
developedthe departmentwith her assistant,Marion O'Toole. Its main objectivewas to provide
a clean, safeand efficient environmentfor patients,staff and visitors.
Progresswas slow in planningrenovationsand the constructionof anotherwing because
of theseprojects. Help was requestedftom
of problemsespeciallywith financial management
the city and a grant of $520,000wasgiven. However, in addition to the federaland provincial
building grants, it was estimatedthat over one million dollars would still be required. The
Hospital Auxiliary was alreadymaking substantialdonationsfor specialhospitalequipmentand
services. A searchwas begun to obtain further supportfrom clubs and organizationstowards
furnishingsand equipmentcosts.
The By-l,awsfor the hospital'smedicalstaffwerein needof up-dating.This revision
for the followingreasons:
becamenecessary
-
numbersof doctorsincludingspecialists,
the increased
-
the development
of departments
with increasingnumberof committeesand
meetlngs,
-
situations
arisingfor whichtheexistingBylaws did not apply,
-
in the regulations
changes
of the OntarioPublicHospitalsAct,
-
recommendations
of the Canadian
Councilon HospitalAccreditation,
-
plansfor thenewwingwhichwouldincrease
bedcapacityandneedfor additional
services.
All of this requiredintensework on the part of committees.The formatwas basedon the
prctotypeof By-l,awssentout by the Department
of Healthfor usein smalland intermediate
hospitals.
By-I:ws and Rulesof St.Joseph'sGeneral
On March 22, 1956the Constitutions,
Hospital,Peterborough
wereapproved
by theDepartment
of Healthwith an Order-in-Council.
On May 7, 1956, 'Full Accreditation'was againreceivedby the hospitalfrom the
of
of thehospital'shigh standard
Canadian
Councilon HospitalAccreditation.Thisrecognition
for
serviceresultedfrom the surveyconductedby Dr.K.Hollis for the Joint Commission
Accreditationin Chicago,who gavethe appraisalandapproval.
Our schoolsfor X-Ray technologyand Medicallaboratory Technologywerealso fully
approved.
of Health,Torontomadean
About this time also,Mr. Dearlovefrom the Department
theinstallation
of auxiliarypowerin thehospital,andgrounding
inspection.He recommended
precautions
in the operatingroomiuea. He alsoadvisedagainstthe useof the 1890wing for
patients.Its usewasdiscontinued
in 1958.
38
1956was also a memorableyear for the schoolof nursingwhen it celebratedits golden
anniversaryon May 30th. Among thosepresentwere threeof the sevenmembersof the original
classwho begantheir training in 1906. They sharedspecialmemorieswith the 1956 classof
twenty-four graduates. Laura O'Brien, classof 1917, nursing in Edmonton made the formal
presentationof the Nurses' Alumni gift to the school, that of a beautiful grandfatherclock.
Meanwhileanotherapplicationwasmadefor approvalof additionalactivetreatmentbeds.
This requestresultedin the approvalby the HospitalCommissionfor 122 bedsand the various
servicesrequested. It was also noted that an increaseof financial assisiancefrom the Federal
and Provincial governmentswas being madeavailablein January1958.
At the 1958annualmeeting,BishopB. Websterannouncedthe appointmentof a full-time
chaplain,ReverendV. Gillogly to servethe spiritualneedsof the hospital. At this meeting,also
a film was shown on the new Ontario pre-paid health insuranceplan, The Ontario Hospital
ServicesCommissionto becomeeffectiveJanuary1. 1959.
Sisterl-oyola who wasin chargeof thehospitalbusinessoffice andaccountingdepartment
at this time, recalls some of the immediateproblemsin trying to shift to the required new
system.
"The staff had no experienceand little directionin coping with the massivereport
forms and detailedpaperwork. A trial budgethad alreadybeen submitted.
The clinical recordsfor all patientswho would be in hospitalat midnight, were
sent to the office. All of thesehad to be checkedfor chargesbeing submitted.
These wouid include all medications,dressings,surgical procedures, special
treatmentsetc., and the financial statementto be closed as of December31st,
1958. There was no referenceas yet for reimbursementof unpaid accounts."
The impact of this rapid and far-reachingchangewould not be apparentfor sometime.
39
St.Joseph'sllospital - 1950Wing
LR Clinical Laboratory; Blood Donor Clinic Staff;
Sisters on hospital lawn (1950's)
1960s
Early in 1961,the OntarioHospitalServicesCommissiongaveapprovalto proceedwith
the expansionplans which had been submittedthe previousyear. The architect,E.J. Turcotte
of Montreal had preparedthe drawingsfor a new wing, renovationsto the 1922and 1950wings
and the demolition of the 1890buildins.
The contractwas let to the lowest bidder, the Anglin-NorcrossConstructionCompany,
Toronto. The sodwastumed April 5, 1961and work commencedthe following day on the 1964
wing.
The cornerstonewas blessedand put in place by Bishop B.I. Webster on January20,
1962. Attendingthis gatheringwasJohnJ. McCabewho had also beenpresentat the laying of
the first cornerstone(in 1888)for St.Joseph'sHospital.
Meanwhilework wasprogressingin the boiler room. New boilers were installedfor the
use of oil instead of coal. An expansionto the kitchen was also made to provide new
refrigeration, larger dishwashing and vegetablepreparation areasand increased storage spaces.
It was noted that 95% of the men working on the construction were from Peterborough
and surroundingareas.
By December, medical and surgical floors of the new wing were ready for use and the
first patientwas admittedJanuary1, 1963. By March all patientareasand serviceswere in full
operationand renovationson the A and B wings had commenced.
A nurserecallsan experiencesheenjoyedas a studentinvolved in the transferof patients
from 3C.
"The teamspirit wasevident,staff of different departmentssharingand
- no U-HAUL servicecouldmatch
mixinghopes,laughterandenthusiasm
our efficiency. It waslikenedto a movefrom somequaintlittle, rural
hometo the bright lightsof the city ... Like all transitionsfrom old to
hadto be made. The challengeresultedin improved
new, adjustments
services.In retrospect,I amgratefulthatI waspart of the teamexp€rience
... betterfacilities,improvedpatientcareandhigherstaffmorale."
42
Another nurserecallsworking on the night shift during transition,
"the fire alarm on the new wing rang fiercely and steadily, about 1.30
a.m. The city's fire truckswould arrive promptly and after the entire area
was checked,it was then considereda false alarm. This incident was
repeated on four consecutivenights after which the problem was
resolved."
This year continuedto be particularlydifficult as work of the hospitalhad to be carried
on while departmentswere being movedand re-organized.
An administrativechangewas made in the nursing departmentto sepamtethe dual
responsibilitiesof the director of nursing. Thus, in 1963one director was appointedto provide
staff for the nursing care of patients,and one to direct the schoolof nursing.
Of interestto note, was that the first CancerClinic in Peterboroughwas openedin 1961.
Spacefor this servicewas madeavailableon the groundfloor of the nurses'residence. Doctors
Beal and Ryder from the PrincessMargaret Hospital, Toronto conductedclinics here twice
monthly.
An EmployeeHealth Servicewas initiated April i5, 1963.
The first union contractwith the CanadianUnion of Public Employeeswas signed,June
30, 1963.
The first full-scaleexerciseof theEmergencyMeasuresOrganizationofPeterboroughwas
carried out this year. A further safety feature introducedinto the hospital was a stand-by
generator. In the event of a power failure, this generatorcould be put into serviceand supply
power throughoutthe entire hospital.
A new parkinglot for medicalstaff and visitorswas completedby September.It
wasreachedwith the pastorat
providedaccommodation
for 125cars. In addition,agreement
the ImmaculateConceptionChurchnearby,for the useof its parkingareaswhenno parish
againon thesiteafterthedemolitionof
serviceswerebeingheld. Parkingspacewasextended
the Houseof ProvidenceHome for the Aged. This buildinghad beenerectedon hospital
prop€rtyin 1900.
43
In thefirst published
reportof 1963activities,theadministrator
notedthatafterfive years
planning
years
of
andtwo
of actualconstruction,
thenewwing wasfully functional,
This wing provided 113 additionalbeds, new departmentsfor X-Ray, Medical
Iaboratory, Emergency,Physiotherapy,Pharmacy,Central Supply, Medical library,
administration,conferenceroom, admittingandgift shoppe.The surgicalsuiteon the fifth floor
containedoperatingrooms, major and minor, cystoscopicrooms and a twelve-bedrecovery
room, the fourth floor wasthe maternitysection.
TheformalopeningtookplaceMay 12, 1964,DoctorM.B. Dymond,Ministerof Health
officiated and addresseda large gatheringof officials, staff and citizens. Conductedtours
followedof theentirefacilitywhichincludedtherenovated
1922and1950wingsaswell asthe
1964wing.
After the 1890wing wasclosedto patientcare, the final bed complementstooda1224
adult and childrenbedsand 39 bassinets.
Also reportedat this time wasthe dramaticincrease
in the year'spayroll; $1,366,000
with 368 full time and68 part-timestaff. It waspointedout that the hospitalplaysa significant
part in the economicwell-beingof Peterborough.
In September
1964theprogramofthe Schoolof X-RayTechnology
ofboth city hospitals
wasamelgamated.
It was now becomingevidentthat a spe.ial arsr was neededfor intensivecare of the
critically and seriouslyill patients.
By 1965a four bedwardon 38 wasmadeavailable. Specialequipmentwasinstalledand
the first IntensiveCareUrrit wasmadefunctionalat a costof $6,000.
The revisedConstitutions,
By-I-awsand Rulesof St.Joseph's
GeneralHospitalwere
approvedby Order in Councilby His Honour,the Lieutenant-Governor
of Ontarioon January
28.r96s.
The administratorrecordedspecialthanksto Dr.R.S.Chenoweth
and his By-Iaw
committeefor the manyhoursrequiredto completethis project. The Medical Staffs approval
of the documentwasreportedat the Board'smeeting,April 6, 1965.
During Octoberanaccreditationsurveywasconductedandagainwe receivedrecognition
as a fully accreditedhospitalby the CanadianCouncilon Hospial Accreditation.
44
specialthanksto theBoardmembers,MedicalStaff, hospital
Theadministratorexpressed
personnel
so muchto our meritingthis approval.
andall otherswho hadcontributed
attentionin both Peterborough
Regionalplanningwas now receivingconsiderable
effortsand to effectmore economicoperationsby
hospitals. Its purposewas to consolidate
equipment.
andexpensive
avoiding,wherepossible,the duplicationof services
75 Yearsof Service
its diamondjubileeof serviceto
Hospitalcelebrated
On December
8, 1965,St. Joseph's
in 1890.
the sickandneedywho cameto its doorssinceits humblebeginnings
Of specialsignificanceon this occasionwastherededicationof the hospitalchapelwhich
hadbeentransferredto theNurses'residenceduringtheconstructionandre-constructionperiod.
The largeroom on themainfloor of theC wing hadbeenrenovatedandconvertedinto a suitable
locationfor the chapel.
Theceilingwasloweredandfluorescentlightinginstalled. The floor wascarpetedin blue
and the window drapesandreredoswereof beautifulgold fabric. A new altar wasbuilt by the
maintenance
staffandthe Stationsof theCrosswererefurbished.
wasofferedby BishopB.I. Websterassistedby ReverendJohn
Massof thanksgiving
assisted
with the liturgy.
Vanston,Chaplain.The Sisters'choirfrom MountSt.Joseph
The Iadies' Auxiliary convenedthepublic receptionandteato mark the occasion. The
guestssignedthe registerus€dat the 1890offrcialopening. Scrapbooks,albums,andpress
clippingson the early yearswereon display. The bonehandledsilver trowel usedin laying the
wasalsoin view.
'l888cornerstone
A float preparedby the HospiralAuxiliary staffandon the themeof the GoodSamaritan
wasenteredin the city's SantaClausparadeof the yearandwasawardedthe trophy. The staff
bulletin.
alsoissueda specialanniversarv
Early in 1966specialme€tingsof the Advisoryand GoverningBoardswere held to
considera re-construction
of theseboardsin orderto facilitateconformingwith the provisions
in the mostrecentAccreditationreport
of the Public HospitalsAct. It hadalsobeensuggested
format
and
responsibilities
of
these
boards
be reviewed." In the draft for the
"that the
compositionof a new board,one quoteworthyitem appeared;
to read'persons'
somewomencouldbeappointed
... 'men' shouldbechanged
"Perhaps
in theConstitution"
...
45
At the annualmeeting,the recommendations
of the committeewereaccepted,The new
boardwasnamedBoardof Directors.Its composition
wouldbringthecommunityat largeinto
muchclosercontactwith the hospital.The Constitution
andBy-l,awsoutlinedresponsibilities
andtermsof office of the members.
TheBoardof Directorswouldbethepolicy-making
bodyandthehighestauthorityin the
organization
of the hospital. The boardwouldbe responsible
to the GeneralCouncilof the
Sistersof St.Joseph,
the ownersof thehospital.
The first meetingof thenewly formedBoardof Directorstook placeApril 20, 1966with
Mr.W.F. McMullenits first chairman.
The directorof the schoolof nursingwasthenauthorizedto setup a separateboardfor
the school. It would be responsiblefor the school'soperationand the director would be
accountableto this boardand not to the hospital'sboardof directors.
In April a formal requestwas madeto the Collegeof Nursesof Ontario to changethe
traditional threeyear nursingprograminto one of two yqrs in length with or without a third
yearof experience
in hospitalnursingservice.
The approvalwasreceivedJwe29,1966. Thus,the students
enrolledin the schoolin
September1966wereadmittedto the newprogram.
This programwasdesignedto offer two yearsof nursingeducationfree of obligationto
provide nursing service. It would be followed by an internshipyear during which time the
students
wouldreceivea salaryestablished
by theO.H.S.C. This third ysu wasa requirement
at the time because
of the provincialgovernment's
frscalpolicy involvingall post-secondary
education. The 1968classwas the last to graduatefrom the traditionalthreeyear prognm.
46
NationalCentennial1967
To commemorate
this significantnationalevent,the staff decidedon an illuminated
goal
fountainand seta
of $1,500to helpfinancetheproject.
etc.
contests,
Eachdepartment
raisedmoneythroughraffles,bakesales,entertainments,
illuminated
the
constructed
department
anda total of $2,500.wasrealized. The rnaintenance
theornamentalgarden
fountainandcenteredit in a flower garden.TheAuxiliary complemented
in the front lawn.
by providingadditionalfundsfor shrubbery
thefounlaintookplaceon NationalHospitalDayMay
Theofficialceremony
of activating
gift
Boardchairmanon behalfof the hospital.
The
was
formally
accepted
by
the
12th.
of materialssubmitted
A Centennial
Bulletinwascompiledby theAdmittingdepartment
follow
here.
Excerpts
from
a
few
of
these
by individual services.
"It is the feeling of being an essentialpart of the whole hospital
team, we believe,is what contributesmost towardspersonal
qualitycareanda well run institution"...
satisfaction,
themostsignificant
changewastheintroductionof
"In retrospect,
Planin January1959.Thispiece
theProvincialHospitalInsurance
did muchto change
of legislationcovering95% of our population
thebasicadministration
of all hospitals
acrossOntario"...
"Our departmentbesides dispensingmedicines and drug
information has duties involving business administration,
purchasing,stockcontrol and generaldistributionof information
in medicaltreatment"...
on newdevelopments
"From the rudimentarylaboratoryserviceinitiatedin 1913in a
cornerroomon thetop floor of 1890buildinga nineroomunit has
evolved. The work load showsa frve-foldincreasein the Dastten
yearperiod"...
wasopenedin March1963.with
"Our modernX-Raydepartment
the specialistsin vascularsurgerysettingup practicehere,we have
beeninvolved in additionalproceduresfor their specialty. Two
ImageAmplifiersrecentlyacquired
reduceradiationdosageof the
patientand has providedaddedprotectionto radiologistsduring
fluoroscooic
examinations.',..
47
"The workloadin the admittingdepartmenthasbeensteadilyincreasing.
Pre-admittingfor electivebookingsincludesbusinesstransactionfor
paymenton prefenedaccommodation.O.H.S.C. forms and
advanced
informationfor patients'recordsiue suppliedto all departments
involved.
A daily report of accidentsis given to the pressand radio. Business
office, accountingandswitchboardservicesmakeanessentialcontribution
to an effectiveoperationof thehospital"...
nursinghasmovedfrom intuitive care
"In thecenturysinceConfederation,
and a simpletrustin MotherNatureinto a highly complexorganization
withina modernhospital.In thesymbolof Expo'67 andits captionlMan
andhis World! we seenursingasone smallmotif makingits contribution
to thewhole." ...
The schoolof nursingchoir also participatedin a numberof the city's celebrations.
Noteworthy was its presentationof an 'Old FashionedChristmas' which was televisedat
Christmas1967.
The HospitalAuxiliary sponsoredan historicalfloat which wasenteredinto the city's
SantaClausparade.
The hospitalalso participatedin the OntarioHospitalServicesCommissionCentennial
Project. Its purposewas to assisthospitalsin the West Indies which were in dire needof
supplies and equipment. Our contributionswere picked up by transport. The federal
governmentsupplieda Royal CanadianShipto transporttheseitemsto the West Indies.
Anothereventof historicalsignificance
wasthe signingof the first collectiveagreement
Hospitalon May 12, 1967. This wasthefrrstunion
with theNursesAssociation
of St. Joseph's
wascertifiedby the OntarioIabor RelationsBoard.
of nursesin Ontarioandthe Association
The hospital'sfirst personnei
director,Mr.J.D.Johnston
wasappointedon August23,
1967. A, department
wasthenestablished
underhis direction.
A departmentof SocialServicewasalsointroducedin Augustin co-operationwith the
Family CounsellingService. The servicebeganon a one-dayper weekbasisandwasunderthe
direction of Mrs. Marv Parthun.
48
During the summermonths,the frfth floor of the 1922wing wasrenovatedandconverted
Personnel,EmployeeHealth, Social Service'
into office spacefor nursingadministration,
rooms.
HospitalAuxiliary andtwo muchneededconference
at the November
The proposalfor a Regionall,aundryServicewasfurtherdiscussed
it
was
noted,
viewpoint
economic
Directors.
From
a
straight
the
Board
of
meetingof
1 that we have$80,000worthof newequipment
of,
whichwouldhaveto be disposed
2 thatour laundry'soperatingcostis well below
the districtaverage,
3 thatwe areableto maintaina high qualityof
linen for patients.
January3, 1968. The dutiesof
A new twenty-fourhourpatrolguardwasinaugurated
on fire and safetyhazards,
hospital
rounds,
checking
this securityguardforce includedregular
parkinglotsandbeingon thelook-outfor unauthorized
thehospital's
controllingandsupervising
Dersons.
A new systemfor Admissionand DischargeHours was put into effect in both city
wouldpresentthemselves
hospitals,May 12, 1968. Underthis method,patientsfor admission
leave
l1:00
a.m.
would
by
p.m.
having
been
discharged
while
those
by 3:30
It consisted
ofa series
Programwasalsojointly established.
An In-ServiceEducational
given
in
specialties.
by a numberof the medicalstaff
of lectures
in Peterborough
County
doctorswereawardedthefirst life membership
Six Peterborough
in this
to
medical
care
Medical Society. This wasin specialrecognitionof their contributions
community. They were DoctorsDobson,Fitzpatrick,C.Scott, G.R.Scott,S.Walshand
H.Young. They wereall heldin high esteemat thehospitalfor their devotedserviceto patients.
(seePeterborough
ExaminerMay 30, 1968).
jointly in May 1968and wasput underthe
A HomeNursingProgramwasdeveloped
direction of the Victorian Order of Nurses. The CanadianRed Cross Society had already
in theHomemaker
Service.
responsibility
of trainingpersonnel
assumed
It was anticipatedthat theseservicesshouldalsorelieve to somedegreethe in-hospital
beds.
A singleambulance
service,financedby theO.H.S.C.wasalsoinitiatedin Peterborough
in the sixties.
49
DoctorJ.C. Baldwinon HospitalPlanningCouncil,O.H.S.C. had urgedlocal hospitals
formally
to
constitutea Community PlanningCouncil and broadenit to the district level. He
statedat this time that local projectswould be consideredonly after the recommendationhad
beengiven by the PlanningCouncil.
The PeterboroughHospitals' Council was officially constitutedat a meeting of the
executivesof both hospitalsheld September17, 1968. The Boardof Directorsgaveits approval
in principle to its establishment.
This Council was a requirementof the O.H.S.C. It was
designedto overseethe correlationof the respectiveservicesof both hospilalsand guide their
growth. It would later be given a regionalrole.
The Ontario Hospital ServicesCommissionhad approvedin principle last year, our
proposalfor a new IntensiveCareUnit and additionalmedicaland surgicalbeds. Howeverafter
two years planning and two sets of architect'sdrawings, approval to proceed was delayed
becauseof lack of funds.
Fortunately by September 1969 financial restrictions imposed by the federal and
provincial governmentshad been relaxedand approvalwas given to proceedwith the project.
The contractwas signedOctober23, 1969and completiondate establishedas of 1970.
A consultanton the Fire and SafetyInspectionBranch,O.H.S.C. hadalso recommended
the demolition of the 1890buildine.
NursesResidence
Opened1947
50
Demolition of the Original Hospital
to levelthe 1890
As soonasapprovalwasreceivedfrom theO.H.S'C.,plansproceeded
for thehospitalchapel
exceptfor thesectionrecentlyrenovated
structureandthe 1908extension
fine old buildinghad
its
this
Because
of
age,
Armour
Road
entrance.
andoffice spaceat the
hazard.
For manyyearsit
problemandindeeda fire
andmaintenance
becomea housekeeping
knownas Ashburnham.
hadbeena landmarkin thatsectionof Peterborough
to the
in the "C" wing hadalreadybeentransferred
The patients'areaandthe services
1964wing and the renovaten]!/22 and 1950wings. A numberof the Sisterswho were
occupyingroomson thefourthfloor, graduallymovedto thethird floor of thenurses'residence.
(It mightbe recalledby somereadersthatan IsolationWardat onetime hadalsobeenlocated
on 4C andhadbeenin useuntil the QueenMary IsolationHospitalwasbuilt).
for completionin July. A saleof somefurnishingsbrought
Demolitionwasscheduled
collectors.
andmemorabilia
seekers
forth manydealers,antique
of living with thirty Sisterson 4C,
OneSisterrecallswith nostalgia,her experience
"thehappytimeswe hadtogether.Thecaringandsharing
memories.Manyof theseSistershave
leavesonly pleasant
go
left us alreadyto to the Father."
AnotherSisterrecallsmovinginto luxuryliving in thefire-proofbuildingof thenurses'
residence.Moreover,
of VaticanII
somerecommendations
"implementing
on ReligiousLife, suchas changingour religious
name to our baptismaland family name, and
modernizingour traditionalreligioushabit, was
"
life stance.
ratherupsettingto our accustomed
51
The wreckerspromisedto takeextremecareby thegradualremovalof the upperstructure
of the building. However, a hiddencoil on the third floor crashedthrough the floor, causing
a large hole in the chapelceiling. Moreover, it had rained for three days and despiteplastic
coverings, the carpet and some furnishingswere ruined. Of course, all of this meant more
renovationsand the replacementof draperyand carpetin the chapel. The cost of demolitionwas
$10,500.
By mid-July 1969 the original St.Joseph'sHospital had disappearedinto history.
By the end of the year, SisterMarie Paul, hospitaladministratorfor the pastelevenyears,
resigneddue to illness. Sister was presentedwith the Award of Merit from the City of
Peterboroughfor her outstandingcontributionto its community.
Board of Trustees- 1960's
52
St.Joseph'sHospital- 1964Wing
1964Wing
LR Official opening;RecoveryRoom;
OperatingRoom;IntensiveCare Unit
LR Staff-MedicalRecords;Pharrnacy;
HospitalAuxiliary; Radiology;Nursery
1960's
The Staff of
Ft. lweytt's Generalffiaryilal
cordiallyinviteyou
to be p.esentaf
the presentation
of their
CENTENNIAL FOUNTAIN AND GARDEN
on
NATIONAL HOSPITAL DAY
Friday, May l?th, Lg67
at 2:30 p.m.
1967CentennialQuilt Project ($550.00)
56
:
CentennialProject- HospitalStaff
May 12, 1967
75th AnnivemaryCelebration(1965)
HospitalChapel:AuxiliaryFloat-"TheGoodSamaritan"
58
1970s
Mr'I,eoB.DoironwaschosenandappointedtheadministratofofSt.Joseph'sGeneml
person
Hospitalin January. In the hospital'seighty-yearhistory, Mr'Doiron becamethe first lay
to assumethis resPonsibilitY.
Rationalizationof Services
HosPitals)
(Peterborough
Hospitalconsultantswere askedto studythe future
In February1970Agnew-Peckham
hospialsanddistrict. The studywasauthorizedby the Peterborough
rolesof the Peterborough
HospitalCouncil.
The report wasacceptedandapprovedby the ontario Hospitalservicescommissionto
proceedwith ihe developmentof a Masterplan and rationalizationof services.
reportsof studiescarriedout 1970-1974'the
of consultant
Emergingfrom discussions
plan for the division of services
boardsof bolh Feterboroughhospitalssettledon an acceptable
wasratified by the Peterboroughand
to be madeavailableat eachhospital. This arrangement
District HospitalPlanningCouncilwhichwasthelocal voluntaryhealthplanningagencyin place
at this time.
The following is a summaryof the generalallocationof services'
obstetrics:
would be centralizedat Peterboroughcivic Hospital and the
GeneralHospitalwouldbeusedfor
facilitiesat St.Joseph's
vacated
a centralizedOrthopaedicSurgeryUnit'
paediatrics:
at P.c.H. .... Ten bedswouldbe retained
wouldbe centralized
at s.J.G.H.
for children'selectivesurgery'
Psychiatry:
at P.C.H. ... '
wouldremaincentralized
GeneralMedicine
and
GeneralSurgery:
wouldbe carriedout at bothhospitals.
Surgery:
Orthooaedic
oohthalmology:
at S'I'G'H'
wouldbe centralized
surgicalserviceat S.J.G.H.
wouldcontinueto be a cenEalized
59
DentalSurgerv:
wouldcontinueto be a centralized
surgical
service
at S.J.G.H.
Ambulator).,
surgery.Radiologyandlaboratoryservices:
wouldcontinueto be carriedon at both hospitals
with a commonstaffand
NuclearMedicine: wouldbe established
asonedepartment
operatingunitsat bothhospitals.
Emergency
service: both generalhospitalsshould continue to have emergency
facilities
departments
sinceboth supplybasicservices.Expanded
shouldtakeplaceat P.C.H, wherethelargervolumeof emergency
visitsis received.
Rehabilitation:
at
A new serviceneededin the region would be established
S.J.G.H. Thein-patientfacilitieswouldincludea unit of 32 beds.
Necessaryout-patientfacilities for an integratedprogram would
alsobe partof this newservice.
Chroniccare:
wasnot established
by theMinistryof Healthat this time.
at P.C.H.
AmbulanceService: wouldremaincentralized
LaundryService:
both hospilalswere alreadychartermembersof a centralized
hospitallaundry.
planscaused
the
little concernin theirimplementation,
While someof therationalization
longdelaysanddifficulties.
transferof majorservicespresented
Orthopaedics:
for S.J.G.H.theactionwasslow
Whilethisservicewasdesignated
in followingthe transferof obstetricsto P.C.H. This delaywas
undertaken
at
on the costof renovations
due in part to decisions
project
constraints
by
the
P.C.H. and the impositionof capital
Ministrvof Health.
Paediatrics:
of theneed
for sometimebecause
This servicewasnotcentralized
to free up sufficientspaceat P.C.H. and for the judicious
placement
of a smallsurgicalunit at S.J.H. which woulddepend
on otherphysicalchanges.
60
Rehabilitation:
Therehasbeena long delayin implementingthis servicebecause
the requestfor a capitalprojectadditionto S.J.G.H'hasnot received
MinistrYof HealthaPProval.
A new IntensiveCareunit anda new urol"r, unit wereoffrcially openedAugust25,
1970by Hon.T.L.Wells,Ministerof Health.Thesenewfacilitieswereprovidedby theaddition
to the 1950wing.
IntensiveCare Unit (190)
I.c.u. of sevenbeds. Two of thesebedsare
The area providesa self-contained
completelyenclosedfor cardiaccareandthe spacecanalsobe usedfor precautionaryisolation
by glasspartitionsand all can be easilyobserved
.""iur".. The remainingbe.dsare separated
from the centralnursing station. The unit is equippedwith a central monitoring systemfor
constantobservationof thepatients'vital signs. A physician,speakingat theboardof directors
facilitiesareprovidedin thenewI.c.u. ... The equipmentis the
meetingstates"tremendous
mostup to datein the provinceof Ontario."
The headnurseat the time relatesan early history of the IntensiveCareService'
"Therewasa rapid increasein the numberof high risk patientsbeing treatedin
of theadditionalmedicalspecialistssettingup their practice
because
Peterborough
here."
"For a few yearsspecialnurseswerebeingprovidedfor the seriouslyill patients
but essentialequipmentwasnot centralizedandthis createdadditionalproblems."
"In the mid-sixties, a four-bed ward had been convertedinto a temporary
this spacecould
intensivecare facility. Throughthe use of stretcher-beds,
andpiped-in
Thoracic
suction
patients.
and
Throat
ill
four
critically
accommodate
cardiac
monitor
with
cart
oxygenwere installed. Respirators,and resuscitation
and defibrillator were the initial sophisticatedpiecesof equipmentcentralized
here. An alarmsystemwhichregisteredat thenurses'stationprovidedemergency
he1o.
" ....
bI
"However, in a short time becauseof the increasingnumbersof critically il1
patients,an adjacenttwo-bed patient room was pressedinto use for intensive
care."
"The head nurserecallsit was at this time that a specialI.C.U. committeewas
formed to discussproblemsand to plan a new I.C.U. This unit was openedin
1970."....
"At first the nursingstaff had no additionalpreparation. We then initiatedan inservice program. The first EducationDay was offered, Dr.D.May, intemist,
presentinga seriesof lectures, Then Dr.W.Thompson,internist, trained staff in
recognizing life-threateningsituationsand teaching the technique of cardiac
defibrillation, staff competencywasrecognizedby certificate. Dr. RossMcl-ean,
Cardiologistcontinuedthe educationprogram and gradually it becamea joint
effort of I.C.U. staff of both Peterboroughhospitals." ...
"In time, Courses in Adult I.C.U. nursing were offered at the Ryerson
Community College, Toronto. A number of staff availed themselvesof this
soecialtv."
UrologyUnit (1970)
This facility wasmadepossibleby theadditionof thetennewmedicalandsurgicaibeds
to this areawhere
for activetreatment.Patientswith urologicalproblemscouldbe assigned
speciallytrainedstaff and necessary
equipmentcould be centralized.
Towards the end of the year a specialsix-bedunit was openedfor day care of surgical
oatients.
oz
Changein NursingEducation
Officialnoticewasreceivedin October1970thattheinternshipyearfor nursingstudents
wouldno longerbe required.
With the school'stwo yearcoursefor diplomanursingin placeand approvedby-the
to assumethatgiventime, the coursewouldbe
reasonable
collegeof Nurses,it had seemed
ultimategoal was to place
standirdized. It was becomingobviousthat the government's
CommunityColleges'
Diplomanursingwithin thenewlyestablished
waswell
With the suddeneliminationof theinternshipyearthe school'sadministration
andto nursing,andalsoof theadditionalstaffrngproblems
to students
awareof its responsibility
nurse
it createdfor nursingservice.Onecasein point,theemployingof thetwo-yearregistered
in-service
education
need
for
would require incieasedorientationschedulingand the
progtur.ing for which no provincialfundingwasprovided. However,a diffrcult transition
graduallytookPlace.
January12, 1973theMinistryof HealthandMinistryof collegesandUniversities,in
1, 1973as the datefor the transferof all diploma
set September
a surpriseannouncement,
nursingprogramsinto the Collegesof AppliedArts andTechnology'
in 1906issuedits lastdiploma
HospitalSchoolof Nursingwhichopened
ThusSt.Joseph's
of the school'
in 1974. The Alumni Registercontainsthenamesof 890graduates
and
documents
of theAlumniresearched
of members
composed
An ArchivesCommittee
preparedartifactsand memorabiliaof historicaland significantinterest.
Thesenow constitute,
The Schoolof NursingArchives,
St.Joseph'sGeneralHosPital,
(North Wing)
Officiafly opened:May 12, 1978.
OJ
Top Row: L to R
Third Row: L to R
SecondRow: L to R
Front Row: L to R
CLASSOF 1974
J. Davidson,M. Wood,S.Tosh,P. Spinks,S.Walton,S.Bell
M. Lahey,A, Meraw,N. Agnew,M. Robson,H. Brewster,S.Murray, M. Morton, M.A. Allen
E. Cavanaugh,
B. Stackhouse,
A. Herr, L. Sullivan,WF. Flagler,
S,Troy, S. Dawe,J. Foley,M. Sullivan
L. Strack,R. Schauf,J. Fairfireld,M. O'Reilly,S.Whitney,J. Schulist,M. Malloy' C. Gallivan,
M. Hunt, F. Marten
(LastGraduationfrom St.Joseph'sSchoolof Nursing)
in all patient
In 1970;the hospitalconvertedto the Metric Systemof recordingmeasurements
areas,
-
the first Food ServiceManagerwasemployed,
-
during the summer,the hospitaloperatedan out-patient
DentalClinic for needYchildren,
-
agreementwas signedwith the KawarthaHospitalLinen Serviceswhich
centralized the laundry facilities of the Peterboroughand Lindsay
hospitals.Mr.HugoVan Hof, who waslaundrymanagerat St'Joseph's
Hoipital was appointedthe generalmanagerof the newly established
Servicewhich wasofficially openedin November1972.
Final approvatwas given uy the ontario Hospital servicescommissionfor the
at S.J.G.H. It waslocatedin the basement
ofa NuclearMedicineDepartment
establishment
22' 1971.
levelof the 1964wing. The first patientwasreceivedDecember
in both city hospitalswith equipmentin
The RadioactiveIsotopeservicewasesfablished
not duplicate,theother.
eachlocationwhichwouldcomplement,
Cenerauospitatwas adoptedin lieu of Boardof
The title, Boardof Trustees,St.Joseph's
Directorswhich title hadbeenin usefor a few years.
The hospitalAuditors, in presentingthe annualfinancialreport, addedtltesecomments
for clarifrcation.
,,The hospitalis a non-profit organizationproviding a public serviceand looks to the
following soutcesfor recoveryof costs;
Federalgovemmentfor servicesto veterans,
Boardfor industrialaccidents,
Workmen'sCompensation
Otherprovincesfor servicesto indigents,
The patient,who is not insuredunderthe provincialplan'
Commission.
The OntarioHospitalServices
"Full recoveryof its costsfrom the foregoingservicesdoesnot follow as someof the
costs are not recognizedby governmentfor its purposesin re-imbursingthe hospital e.g.
baddebtlosses,etc.
of its buildings,intereston borrowing,out-patient
depreciation
To offset andabsorbsomeof thesecosts,the hospitalis permittedto retainone-halfof
"
the amountreceivedfor privateand semi-privateaccommodation.
65
Technology
whichopenedin 1956was
TheSchoolof MedicalLaboratory
from its program.
hadgraduated
closedin 1972. Forty-ninetechnologists
period. In 1963
For a few yearsthe programwascompletedin an eighteen-month
lectureswere sharedwith the Civic Hospital'sschool,and studentsreceivedtheir practical
experiencein the respectivehospitals,the coursecoveringa twenty-fourmonth pedod.
for registration
wereconducted
at theTorontoInstituteof MedicalTechnology.
Examinations
(O.H.S.C.)notifiedthehospital
Commission
Earryrn l972,theOntarioHospitatServices
of new directives;
- the O.H.S.C.wasbeingtransferred
to theMinistryof Health,
-
thenumberof allowableactiveheatment
a newformulawasbeingusedfor determining
hospitals,
beds.This changeresultedin a20% reductionfor the Peterborough
-
thatSt.Joseph'sGeneralHospitalobstetricalservicewasto betransferredto Peterborough
Civic Hospital,March 1973.
wasappointed
in February1972.His role
Thefirst medicaldirector,Dr.R.S.Chenfweth
doctorsandadministration.
medicalstaffactivitiesandto actasliaisonbetween
wasto coordinate
PlanningOfficerwashiredto assiststaffanddoctorsin planningfor thecare
A Discharge
from hospital.
of thepatientsandtheir discharge
of medicalandnursing
to assistin theevaluation
A HealthRecordAnalystwasappointed
careand in bed utilization.
A PublicHealthnursewasalsoavailablein thehospitalthroughtheCounty-CityHealth
Unit.
ofour communityhealthprogram. Through
Thesenewservicesprovidedan extension
their coordinatedefforts, morepatientswerebeingdischargedto chroniccarefacilities and the
averagelengthof stayin hospitalwasdecreasing.
The frrst casualtyofficer wasemployedto providetwenty-fourhour emergencycoverage
in July andAugust.
on week-ends
resident,Mr.W.J. Innes,joined the staffJunel, 1973.
The first administrative
The Ministry of Healthimposedanotherreductionin the 1973budget. All levelsof
govemmentare placing extraordinarypressureson the healthcare systemin order to contain
costs.
66
Processof Amalgamation of Obstetrical Service
Noticewas receivedthat the date,April 1, 1973,for transferof obstetricshad to be
at P.C.H'
to November,dueto thedelayin completionof renovations
extended
difficulty at S.J.G.H. The Ministry hadalready
This reviseddatecausedconsiderable
serviceasof April lst.
for
obstetrical
deductedfrom its budgetour funding
affectedasthestaffingpatternhadalreadybeengeared
Nursingservicewasalsoseriously
to transferwerealreadyhired' Those
of staffscheduled
towardstheoriginaldate. Replacement
to adult nursing,were uncertainof their
who did not chooseto transfer,or to be assigned
dateswereconfusing.Thequalityof service
noticesof termination
andtheadvance
employment
jeopardy,
low
all of whichcreated staffmorale.
wasplacedin
s.J.G.H. to carryon
andDistrictHospitalPlanningcouncilrequested
ThePeterborough
to obtainnewfunds
it
could
itself
to
do
all
theservicetemporarily,theP.D.H.P.C.committing
to offsetcoststhusincurred.
Medicine,andNursingapprovedan interimplan
The hospitals'boards,administration,
at P.C.H. duringJulyandAugust1973,thenit would
wouldbe centralized
by whichobstetrics
remainder
of theyearbeforeit wouldbe transferred
for
the
bL movedtemporarilyto S.J.G.H.
permanently
to P.C.H.asof January1, 1974.
of dates,the actualtransfertook place, smoothlyand
With two further extensions
efficiently,May 4, 1974.
to organizeandfacilitatethe
directorof nursingservicewho wasassigned
The assistant
in the process.
her involvement
actualtransferringof mothersandbabesdescribes
I
was concernedabout the
planning
was
required.
great
deal
of
advance
"A
during
businesshours, so we
of the newbom,acrossthe city
transportation
Serviceto beginat 5:00 a.m. ....
bookedthe Ambulance
whonoticedmy distress
previous
I
metDoctorStrath,Paediatrician
evening
"The
precious
babesduringthe
goingwrongwith our
overthepossibilityof something
by nursing"....
havingto be assumed
transferandthis responsibility
move in motion, I met
the
4.45
a.m.
to
set
"Arriving in the nurseryabout
Dr.Strath. My first reaction do we havea criticallyill infant,etc."....
backandforth until all thebabies
Dr.Strathreplied."I will go in theambulance
"
are safelyin P.C.H. nurserY.
"What a dedicatedphysicianand specialperson."
b/
Last baby born at S.J.G.H. MaY 4, 1974
LR Mrs. Linda Holek and baby JennaLyn
Leo Doiron, Joan Jones,Sister Margaret McDonald
"By 8:00 a.m. the obstetricdepartmentwas barren and desolate' Indeedit was
a sadday. While the majority of the staff transferredto P.C.H. thoseremaining,
togethergrieved many losses- our co-workers,mothersand babes,and the joys
of obstetricalnursing."
Epilogue
The first baby wasborn at S.J.G.H. January 16, 1909
The last baby wasborn at S.J.G.H. May 3, 1973.
the beginningand the end of an era of maternaland newborncare,
in
St, Joseph'sGeneralHospital,Peterborough.
69
Staff Parties
70
The Orthopaedicservice was relocated June l, 1974 in space formerly used for
Obstetrics.
The departmentof Rehabilitationand PhysicalMedicine was established.
A Pain Clinic was initiated to find relief for patientswith intractablepain.
Office spacewas providedon the main floor of the 1922 wing for:.
-
The CanadianArthritis and RheumatismSociety,
A new service for the Hearing Handicappedin
cooperationwith the city's Board,
A volunteerFoot Clinic for SeniorCitizenssponsored
by The PeterboroughSeniorCitizensCouncil.
Somelong-rangeplansfor changesin the useof the residenceand schoolof nursingwere
gradually implemented.
Agreementhad been reachedwith the Sistersof St.Josephto permit the building to be
usedfor hospitalpurposes,recognizingthat the specificownershipof this property and building
was separateand apart from their ownershipof the hospitalproper.
-
-
The building was now designatedthe North Wing,
Two bedroomfloors were reservedfor studentaccommodation,
The classroomson the main floor were renovatedand leasedto the City's Social
and Family Servicefor day care services. It was namedThe AshbumhamDay
Care Centreand it was officially openedSeptember10, 1975,
Renovationsto the ground floor providedfour office suitesfor the Ashburnham
Medical Services,
Office spacefor the Pine Ridge Lung Associationwas also arranged.
It was noted in the 1975 annualreport that generalhospitalscontinue to grapple with
financial restraintsand with the increasingneedfor more chronic care beds.
Medical and surgicalbedsreflecteda 95yo occupancyfor the year.
procedureshave beencentralizedin this hospital.
All radioactiveisotopebone-scanning
71
The hospitalestablished
its prioritiesfor theDistrictHealthCouncil,the first beingthe
establishment
of the Rehabilitation
Programwhich is timely both for the hospitaland the
communityof Peterborough.However,the Ministry notifiedthat no capitalfundswill be
availableuntil the 1979-80frscalyear.
The Ministry of Healthapprovedthe HospitalBy-Iaws as enactedby the Boardof
Trusteesof the hospital.
The Peterborough
Hospitals'Fundwasestablished
in February1976.
City Bus servicebringingpassengers
to the RogersSfeet enfanceof the hospitalwas
in November,1976.
established
The departmentof Rehabilitationand PhysicalMedicine receiveda researchgrant to
conducta DisabilityStudyor Surveyof disabilitiesthat existin the populationthis hospital
serves.
A BackCareProgramhasbeeninitiatedthroughthisdepartment
to provideeducation
to
patientswho havebackailmentsor injuries.
The Marchof Dimesfundedan Orthotic-Prosthetic
workshopwhichwassetup on the
mainfloor of the 1922wing. A welfqualifiedorthotist-prosthetist
haslocatedhis practicein
Peterboroughand with the help of local organizationsthe hospitalprovided spaceto set up a
completeworkshopso he canwork in thehospital.
The RainbowClub for development
of a Disability ResourceCentrehasoffice spacein
the 1922wing. The Centreopenedanly in 1977.
The local peripheralCancerClinic operatedby the PrincessMargaretHospitalwasrelocatedhereMay 11, 1977,in spaceprovidedon the4th floor of the 1922wing. It hasbeen
period.
transferred
to P.C.H. duringour construction
DoctorBealewho hadconducted
in
theseclinicsin Peterborough
since1961expressed
a letter their appreciationfor the excellentfacilitiesprovidedfor the OntarioCancerInstitute.
72
Our policiesand procedures
for the controlof narcoticand controlleddrugs were
Drugsand the reportread,
reviewedby the NarcoticsInspection
of the Bureauof Dangerous
"Everythingwasin excellentshape.
"
for the year 1978would
It wasnotedthatthehospital'sestimated
fundingrequirements
be exceeding
the Ministry'scommitment
to thehospitalby $201,000.
Thoughnot desirable,it wasfoundnecessary
to close43 surgicalbedsduringJuly and
Augustas a temporarymeasure
to controlcosts,
The populationservedby the hospitalduringthe yearwasestimated
at 108,300. The
generalpatternshowedone-halfof our patientsresideinsideIhe city, 227ain the county,25%
in neighboring
outsidetheseparameters
andoutsidethe province.
countiesandthe remainder
MedicalandSurgicalbedsshowed95% occupancy;
the daily averageof patientstaywas8.8
days.
programwasestimated
of whichthe
Thecostof construction
of theRehabilitation
at $6,686,000
Province'ssharewouldbe $4,443,700,
theremainder
of whichwouldbe a localresponsibility.
CanadaWorksGrantfundedtheDisabilityResource
Centrefor anotheryear.
YoungCanada
WorksProgramprovidedfundsfor salary,wagesandotherexpenses
for
themicrofilmingof medicalrecords.This fundinggaveemployment
to five universitystudents
for a ten-weekperiod.
programwasstarted.It wasdesigned
Pre-vocational
Assessment
to assistin rehabilitating
disabledpersonsfor their entryinto theworKorce.
An orthopaedic
clinic wasinitiated.
A Shortness
of BreathClinic wasbegunin cooperation
with the Lung Association.
The Fisher-Gaugefirm approvedthe useof their parking lot to establishan emergency
landing site for the helicopterambulancecenteredin Toronto.
IJ
to a student
to be presented
HospitalAwardwasestablished
The Sistersof St.Joseph's
graduatingfrom Sir SandfordFlemingCollege.
The Archivesof theSchoolof Nursingwasofficiallyopenedon NationalHospitalDay,
May 12th.The MedicalStaffdonateda taperecorderanda supplyof tapesto theArchives. A
collectionof
of the MedicalandHospitalstaffsarc on file.
tapedinterviewswith members
The Secretaryof State requestednamesof personswho have made outstanding
to Institutionsin thepublicandprivatesectorsto be recipientsof SilverMedals.
contributions
to the throne.
of Her Majesty'sascension
Thesehadbeenstruckto markthe 25thanniversary
andMargaretTunneywerethethreenameschosen
L.B.Doiron,DoctorR.S.Chenoweth
by a SelectCommitteeto receivethe Queen'sJubileeMedal1977. The informalpresentation
took placeon October25, 1977.
bedsis based
thatthenumberof activetreatment
TheMinistryof Healthnotifiedhospitals
had
of42
activebeds.
a
surplus
that
Peterborough
andindicated
on 3.5 bedsper 1000population
to theMinistry,theDistrictHealthCouncilandlocal
Statisticdinformationwasreleased
to active
waitingfor admission
patients
Emergency
Department
in
our
number
of
Mediaon the
ne€dof
the
home
beds,
and
nursing
treatmentbeds;the numberof patientswaitingtransferto
additionalbedsin the area.
andthe situationof
patients'complaints
from theMinistryinvestigated
A representative
by patientswaitingin thedepartment.Followingthevisit,
thecrowdedconditionsexperienced
thenumberof nursinghomebeds.
Ministry
decidedto increase
that
the
thehospitalwasadvised
Continuingfiscalrestraintsforced,for the secondyear,theclosingof 43 surgicalbeds
for July andAugust.
from theCity andCounty
fundingassistance
For thefirst time,thehospitalhadto request
requests
wereapprovedby both
The
capitalequipment.
of essential
councilsfor thepufchase
Councils.
whichresultedin direct savingsof about
Programwasimplemented
A CostEffectiveness
$46.000.
'74
Renovationswere carried out in the EmergencyDepartment.The new arrangements
eliminatedthe needto have bed patientsin the corridors.
The official openingof the renovatedfacility took place October 10, 1979.
A 24-hourEmergencycoveragewasimplementedthroughFamily Physiciansmaintaintng
a full roster of 'on-call' volunteerdoctors.
Other minor physical changesoccurred during this time' Pharmacy was moved to
basementlevel and a clergy room was madeavailableoff the lobby at Almour Road entrance.
A tunnel connectionwas madeto MarycrestHome for the Aged.
The United HandicappedGroupsof Ontarioopeneda new offtce in the 1922 wing.
The Ontario Hospital Associationhonoredthe hospitalwith the presentationof a Plaque
in recognitionof its fifty yearsof membershipin the Association.
Nuclear Medicine was surveyedby the CanadianMedical AssociationCommittee on
Technologists'Training and was given approval.
Radiation levels in the Radiology Departmentwere measuredand found to be within
acceptablelimits.
The CancerClinic in the hospitalis the largestof the flve peripheralclinics in Ontario
and handles28% of the total visits to all clinics.
The DisasterPlan Call-BackSystemshowed7270of the staff called would have been
availablefor duty if necessary.Theseresultswereconsideredexcellentwhen comparedwith the
provincial average.
The hospital has continued to receive, unintemrptedly, full Accteditation from the
CanadianCouncil on HospitalAccreditation,thoughthe surveysarebecomingmoreexactingand
exDensrve.
A specialtribute was paid to the hospital'smanagementpersonnelfor having won the
Ministry of Health IncentiveAward for realizingcost savingsfollowing the introductionof the
global budget system.
75
1980's
HealthMinisterElinorCaplan,speaking
at theannualconvention
of theOntarioHosDital
Association,
callsthe 1980s"a decade
of discovery"thatbroughtneeded
changes
in healthiare
policies.
"Therehasbeena realization
thatonein ten acute
care beds, and one in four chronic care bedsare
occupiedby people who could be better served
elsewhere... the goal is to provideservicesthat
require a hospital setting while building up
community-based
services. ... "
'89)
(HospitalNews,December
between
thetwocity hospitals
andsince1975joinfly with
_
. After elevenyearsof discussion
the District Health council, a cooperativeredevelopmenton a rationalization plan for
Peterboroughwasapprovedby the Ministry.
A reportof a studyby the DistrictHealthcouncil on "chronic care andAlternatives"
indicatedthat r0% of activetreatmentbedsareoccupiedby patientswho requirenursinghome
facilities.
A Disabilitysurveyshowsthatin theFive county region,l\vo of residents
suffersome
form of disability.
Our statisticsshoweda dramaticincreasein the lengthof stayin hospitaland indicated
a largernumberof olderpatientswaitingplacement
in long-termfacilities.
The percentage
occupancy
for MedicalandSurgicalbedsremainsat95.4vo,this being
l0% higherthanidealfor thegeneralhospital'sactivetreatment
beds.
'81 noted l02.8vo
occupancyfor Medical and
. The statisticalrcport for November
Surgicalunits.
The financialpictureimprovedwith $549,000from the Ministry to covermostof our
budgetshortfall.
In 1981the Ministry advisedhospitalsacrossthe provincethat the numberof active
treatmentandchroniccarebedswasbeingincreased.This will includethe33 rehabilitationbeds
in this hospitalto comeinto operationin the '83 - ,84 frscalyear.
76
(DnturiulfrMpitaLArsuriution
" Miseris SuccurrereDiscimus"
iEroorairgrqor@Bmfioro$f
ctrhis
is an Acrive Institutional Member of this Association,having been enrolled inlg!!,
thereby directly helping forward the causefor which we work.
"SERVICE TO THE SICK AND SUFFERING"
Presentation
of O.H.A. Plaque,October23, 7979
O.H.A.
by C.E. Boyd,PastPresident
To J.G. McCarney,SJGH,BoardChairman
with the O.H.A.
to commemorate
50 years'membership
The PeterboroughHospitals'l,ottery was establishedand sponsoredby
from this sourcewouldbe
sevenserviceclubsin thearea. Thefundsgenerated
availableto both hospitalson an equalsharebasis.
The first draw took placeFebruary26, 1981.
thatthishospital
Mr.JohnAuklund,OntarioDivisionof theRedCrossSocietyrequested
responsibilities
of theMindenandHaliburtonhospitals.
assume
administrative
hereApril 9' 1981. This majordiagnostic
operating
servicecommenced
Theultrasound
tool addsanotherdimensionto radiologyard nuclearmedicine,andprovidesmajorequipment
andfacilitiesfor patientsin this area.
The new systemwas introducedfor a 24-hour medical coveragein the Emergency
dutiesJuly 1, 1981.
The first CasualtyOfficercommenced
Department.
A favorablereportwasreceivedon thefirst inspectionunderthenewOccupationalHealth
on theirabilityto work together
werecommended
members
andSafetykgislation. Committee
program.
in the
andachievesuccess
Countries
nine differentCommonwealth
StudyTour representing
A Commonwealth
in an
presentations
the
theme,
on
"People
visitedthe hospital. Severalstaff membersmade
Industrialsociety."
in commendingthe Public Relations
At the 1982 annualmeeting,the chairperson
reiterated,
Committeeon its work of updatingtheMissionSlatement,
"The hospial'sbasicphilosophyof belief in each
person's human dignity, worth and destiny,
regardless
of race,religion,age,mentalor physical
state," ... remainsthe imperativein care and
...
compassion.
Thoughspecificservicesavailablemaychangefrcm
time to time, depending on local needs and
resources,Ministry guidelines,legislation and
...
technological
developments.
GeneralHospitalwill continueto be a
St.Joseph's
dynamicagentof servicein the healthcare of the
"
community.
'78
Top row, left to right:
Centrerow, left to right:
Rearrow, left to right:
Absentwhenphototaken:
- 1981
BOARDOF TRUSTEES
SisterLoyola,Treasurer;SisterAngelaGuiry, Secretary;SisterMargaretMcDonald;
F.J. Petrie,Chairman;Mrs. CarolePulver;H.R. Hammell;W'H. Mortlock; Dr. J.R.Epping
L.B. Doiron,ExecutiveDirector;W.A. Clarke;MissVeronicaO'Leary; Wm. Wellman;Dr.
R.A. Durnin, Chiefof Staff; R.P.Armstrong;Dr. R.L. Clarke;J.G.McCarney;Reverend
W.E. Moore;I{.F, Fisher,SisterAlma Lavell
J.K. Grant, ViceChairman;G.R.O'Connor
BishopDoyle,SisterCecilia,Mrs, DiannaMcCormick,J.H, Harris, F. Heffernan
Dutkevich Memorial Trust Fund
Cheque($104,0fi))presentedOctober26, lgW
I-R John Crook, Ilse Stangl, Frank Petrie
Signingfor S.J.G.H. to assumeresponsibility
for the Red CrossHospitalsin Minden and Haliburton
FebruarY1' 1984
I-R (seated)CarolePulver; Sr.JeanRooney,Sr.VeronicaO'Reilly
(Standing)Kevin Cummings;I,eo Doiron
The annualreport alsonotedtherewasa numberof financialcontributionsmadeto the
hospitalover the year.
as
of $100,000' wasestablished
The DutkevichMemorialTrustFund,a sumin excess
of
development
for
and
used
the
education
an endowment,the income from which will be
hospitalstaff.
Othersignificantdonationswerereceivedfrom KawarthaPine RidgeLung Association,
FisherGaugeLimited, The CanadianIrgion and a numberof memorialgifts all of which are
deeplyappreciated.
received
for the moralsupportandfmancialassistance
Sincerethankswasalsoexpressed
aswell asfrom individuals;appreciationto the Medicalstaff
from manyclubsandorganizations
in thework of hospitalcommittees;
who freely gavemanyhoursof servicewithoutremuneration
and to the Auxiliary not only for its financial supportbut for its invaluablecontributionof
servicethroughits volunteerprogram.
Factorscontributingto the hospital'sfinancialdifficulties which relateddirectly to the
servicesrequired,werealsooutlinedin the annualreport:
-
the high occupancyrate which wasover lN% in severalmonths,
the increasingage of the populationservedmeantmore patientshad multiple
healthne€dswhile hospitalized,
by our patientclassificationsys!em),
morepatientswereacutelyill (documented
high cost servicesprovided in the areasof orthopaedicsand eye surgery in
particularwhereextensiveprostheses
and implantsare usedin mostcases,
higherdrugcosts.
Becauseof the bed shortage
, 5l% of el*Eve bookingswere delayedlonger than eight
weeks.
A public meetingwas organizedUy esnUu-tturn RatepayersAssociation!o explore
implicationsof the RationatizationPlanand the Facilitator'sreporton the servicesavailablein
this hospital. The audiencemadeit clear that it wantsSt.Joseph'sGeneralHospitalto remain
services.
an acutecarehospitalwith emergency
A hospital-wideQuality AssuranceProgramwaslaunched.
A PalliativeCareProgramwasbegunin March 1983,underthe directionof the Pastoral
CareDepartment. Thirty volunteerscompleteda 22-hourprogram.
The new RogersStrcetparkinglot wasopenedJune3, 1983bringing to the hospitala
total of 355 paid parking spaces.
81
C/T Scanner
Hospitalsdetermined
theneed
A joint committee
of Peterborough
Civic andSt.Joseph's
for a computerizedaxial tomographyscannerfor the Peterborough
area. The C/T Scanneris a
valuablediagnostic
aid. It wasapproved
by theMinistryin 1983but it advisedthis unit would
not be eligiblefor provincialfunding.
asajoint
It wasagreedthatthis specialized
unit wouldbeplacedat P.C.H. andoperated
venture,the cost-shadngwould be proportionalto usageby eachhospital.
fundswere
A CAT Scancampaign
waslaunched
locallyApril 28, 1984andthenecessary
raised. Over $2,000,000in donationsand pledgeswerereceived. This fund-raisingeffort
involved113volunteersand2675hoursof work.
in 1985andwasofficiallyopenedJanuary13, 1986.
The facility wasfully operational
GeneralHospitalin the
In October1987a CatScanConsolewasinstalledat St.Joseph's
RadiologyDepartmentthe costof which wascoveredby the Cat ScanFund.
by theMinistryin April 1983.The
RevisedBy-Lawsof theMedicalStaffwereapproved
Medical staff complementshoweda total of 250 memberswhich included36 dentalstaff.
The first combinedmeetingwas held betweenthe Board of Trusteesand the Medical
and to outlinethe rolesof each
AdvisoryCommittee(M.A.C.) to facilitatecommunications
group in hospitalactivities.
The Boardof Trusteeshasthe ultimateresponsibilityfor governingthe hospitaland its
quality of care given. The Board dependson the Medical Advisory Committeeto keep it
informedon medicalissues.
to the Boardof
reportsandmakesrecommendations
The MedicalAdvisoryCommittee
Trustees on matters concerningthe practice of medicine in the hospital in relation to
professionallyrecognizedstandardsof Hospitalrnedicalcare,
- providessupervisionover the practiceof medicinein the
hospital,
- participatesin the developmentof the hospital'soverall
objectivesandplanning...
- advisesand cooperateswith the Boardandthe Chief Executive
officer in all matterspertainingto the professional,clinical
andtechnicalservices.....
82
Merger of the Red CrossHospitalsat Minden and llaliburton
TheSistersof St.Joseph
of Peterborough,
at therequestof theRedCrossSocietyaccepted
the transferof ownershipandadministrationof the two RedCross"outpost"hospitalsat Minden
andHaliburton.
The Boardof Trusteesof St.Joseph'sGeneralHospitalapprovedthe agreementbetween
the Corporationof the Sistersof St.JosephandtheRedCrossSociety. An appropriatefinancial
s€ttlementwasconcludedanda satisfactoryfundingarrangement
wasmadewith the Ministry of
Health.
At 1400 hours on Februaryl, 1984, St.Joseph'sGeneralHospital assumedfull
responsibility
for operatingtheseoutposthospitals.
"We welcometheseinstitutionsinto our sphereof serviceand pledgeto
continuetheir fine traditionof healthactivitiesin thesecommunities".
By the 21st day of February1984all relevantlegal documentshad been signedand
executed.
Formalceremonies
wereheldin Augustto recognizethe turn- over of thesetwo northem
hospitalsfrom the Red Crossto St.Joseph's
GeneralHospial. Thesehospitalsprovide
emergencyservicesand in-patientand out-patientcare. They servean increasingpermanent
population,manyof whomare seniors. Thereis an annualsummerinflux of up to 100,000
vacationers.
It wasalso notedthat after a full yearof operating,the administrativeactivitiesfor all
threeinstitutionswerefully integratedandreceivedfull accreditationfrom the CanadianCouncil
on HospitalAccreditation.
Somecommentsfrom theMindenandHaliburtonhospitals'administrationon thechange
of management
andownershipfollow:
"The staff viewed the change-overas one of necessity,and which would havegreater
potentialfor personalandcorporategrowth and satisfaction"...
"Feelingsof fear and insecurityexistingduring the transitionperiod and for sometime
t*t * to be the normalreactionto any majorchangeto which one hasto adjust"
::*
"The local hospitalcommunitiesseemto sharea senseof loss of identity but remain
faithful and generousin their support."
... the hospitalsplay majorrolesin thecommunityimage."
83
establishment
of
A letterdatedAugust15, 1986from theMinisterof Healthauthorized
18chroniccarebedsadjacentto thepresenthospitalin Haliburton.
The Architectvisitedthe Haliburtonsiteto discussa functionalprogram. A plan was
submittedto the Ministryandapprovalwasreceivedto go aheadwith sketchdrawings.These
were forwardedto the Ministry for approval.
for Haliburton'sshareof fundingraisedover$240,000andwaslater
A FundCampaign
extendedto $400,000to coveradditionalrenovationsneeded.
communitysupport
Manyinnovativefund-raising
activitieswereinitiatedandimpressive
project.
wasmobilizedfor the
of the cost of beds. Negotiationsare
However,the Ministry calleda halt because
continuingto seeksomeway of servingmoreadequatelythe peopleof Haliburton.
of health
studythefeasibilityof augmentation
The hospitalin Mindenhada committee
Efforts
are
servicestherebut no fundswereavailablefrom theMinistry for a studyat thattime.
still beinemadein this direction.
Paediatric Transfer to PeterboroughCivic Hospital
GeneralHospitalwas
The last day of operationof the PaediatricUnit at St.Joseph's
Friday,March30, 1984.
Ten paediatricbedsfrom the formercomplementof 25 ue retainedfor generalsurgery
on the4th floor of the "B" wing.
useandare relocated
The head nurseof the Paediatricdepartmentfor a numberof years describessome
concernsof the nursingstaffover thetransfer.
"Althoughwe wereawarefor sometime of the impendingmove, the official
noticeof the actualdatewasthe shock. All of us hadto grapplewith personal
decisions,"e.g. "Shouldwe apply for positionsat P.C'H. or remainhere at
S.J.H.? 'If all of uschoseto remainhere,wouldtherebe positionsavailableto
all? "Wouldour senioritybenefits,holidays,sicktimeetc.belost if we transfer?
Though we were assuredwe would not lose our accumulatedbenefits,
uncerlaintiesstill remained.
When the frnal transferwascompleted,threefull-time
R.N's transferedto P.C.H."
84
Nursingbegan
at S.J.H.our orientationto Orthopaedic
"For thoseof us who remained
for us to fe€l
nursing,
it
took
some
time
well
to
adult
immediately.While the staffadjusted
comfortablein the newenvironment,As thereweretwo roomsfor Paediatricsurgeryandoutpatients,we still had somechildrento cuddleand this helpedto fill the 'emptiness'we all
in the lossof our little Datients."
exoerienced
While the Paediatricunit wasbeing freedup, planswere made,to convertthe spaceto
a Day Hospital, to enlargetwo operatingroomsfor orthopaedicproceduresand to preparethe
wing.
additionof the Rehabilitation
The assessment
of the region'shealthcareneedsalso showedthat new programswould
the emergingneedsof an agingpopulation.
be requiredto accommodate
The Ministry advisedthe hospitalto proceedwith preparationsfor a Day Hospital, but
that the governmentfundingfor it would not be availablesoonerthan the 198G87fiscal year.
The letter added, 'that the hospital would have to fund the project itself and it would be
reimbursedfor the two-thirdscost sometimein the future'.
The Rehabilitationwing would be a new additionto the hospital. It would consistof
three levels, situated!o the north of the "D" wing and would provide all relatedout-patients
rehabilitationactivities. Therewould be thirty-threerehabilitationbedsfor in-patients.
The requiredinformationwasforwardedto the Ministry who advisedto proceedto the
next stepwith the rehabilitationprojectand submita functionalprogram.
85
REIIABILITATION PROGRAM
The needfor improvedRehabilitationServicesin the Peterboroughregion wasrecognized
in the early 1970's. Draft plans to addressthis needwere being developedas early as 1975.
However, it was not until 1980 that the community, in consultationwith the Haliburton,
Kawartha and Pine Ridge District Health council, developed a detailed plan for the
rationalizationof major hospitalservicesin Peterborough,including rehabilitation.
In a February 12, 1981 announcementthe Ministry of Health noted that St.Joseph's
GeneralHospital had the approvalto proceedwith the developmentof a rehabilitationprogram.
The gradualreorganizingof servicesbetweenthe two hospitalstook time during the mid
80's endingwith the developmentof the new emergencyservicesat Peterboroughcivic in 198889.
The next step was to move forward on the final phase of the previously approved
redevelopmentplans for hospital servicesin Peterboroughby establishinga comprehensive
community basedRegionalRehabilitationCentre.
The processhasbeen slowerthan anticipatedmainly due to the major changesin health
care and a significantreorganizationof the Ministry of Health in Ontario.
In the meantime,the hospitaladministrationhas madeevery effort to proceedforward
with plans and programswithin the currentbudgetwhich would eventuallyform the foundation
of a new RehabilitationWing.
It is still the objectiveto provide a Centreof Excellencefor RehabilitationServicesin
Peterboroughand surroundingareas.
Historical Sketchof Services
PhvsiotherapyDepartment
The depafimentwas offrcially openedin June, 1963in the "D" wing. In August' 1968
the sewice was expandedto provide out-patientcare and week-endcoverage.
In June, 1974 a chest rehabilitationprogram was initiatedjointly with the respiratory
therapydepartment.
A Back Educationprogram was startedin 1976 and in 1977 an Amputee clinic was
of patientswith amputations.
and maintenance
establishedfor the assessment
86
In June, 1987 an expandedout-patientphysiotherapyservice was opened in quarters
leasedat the Time Squaredevelopment.This wasa joint programof both city hospitalsand the
additionalfundsrequiredflow throughthehospital'sbudget. This off-site developmenthasmade
it possibleto reducethe waiting list to a minimum.
All in-patientand out-patientwork is recordedand supervisedat the hospital location.
Out-patientreferralshave increasedby 90% at the satelliteunit.
In September,1989 the physiotherapydepartmentat Time Squarewas selectedfor the
Workers' CompensationBoard CommunityClinic.
TheraDv
Resoiratorv
for oxygentherapyprovidingcylindergases
In thelate1960'sAlfredBornwasappointed
of inhalationtherapywas
to nursingunits. In November,1972thedepartment
andequipment
program
with physiotherapy
wasdeveloped
rehabilitation
respiratory
startedandan out-patient
wereused.
in February,1976, By Marchthe first ultrasonicnebulizers
was movedto the 1950wing in spaceformerly
In September,1976the department
andinstalledwaspurchased
by thenewbornnursery.Graduallyadditionalequipment
occupied
washired.
Technology
ln 1979a Directorof Respiratory
In 1984a SmokingPolicy committeewasformedand in 1989the hospitalbecamea
smoke-free
environment.
AudioloevDeDartment
receivedfundingfor equipmentfrom the CanadianHearing
In i978 the department
Societyandfrom a numberof serviceclubsmostnotablythe localLions Club.
of audiologywasemployedin December,1979.
The first full-timesupervisor
assumed
thedutiesof directorandkeptthedepartment
Dr.JohnFagan,E.N.T. specialist,
This
resultedin a solidreferralbasefor many
abreastof theneedsof themedicalcommunity.
physicians
in outlyingareasas well asin Peterborough.
In 1980the LionsClubsprovideda further$7,000pieceof equipment.This deviceis
the amplificationneedsof hearingusedfor the analysisof hearingaidsand to help assess
impairedpatientsseenin the department.
8'7
In 1982 an additionaldiagnosticunit was obtainedand it is usedto assessaudiological
and otoneurologicalfunctionsin personswith hearingimpairmentincludingvery youngchildren.
Much of our equipmenthasbroadenedthe scopeof diagnosticcapabilityand type of testingthat
formerly had to be referred to Toronto and other distantcentres.
NeuromuscularLaboratorv
In September, 1986, the NeuromuscularLaboratory began operating as a sepamte
diagnosticentity under the direction of Dr.John Lan.
The diagnostictestsinclude assessment
of peripheralnervesand neural function. The
testshelp to diagnosenerveroot difficulties suchas herniateddisks, compressednerveroots and
neurologicallesions.
As increasingly specializedequipmentbecomesavailable and obtained, Dr.Lan can
perform more sophisticatedinvestigativeprocedures.
The neuromuscularlaboratoryhas in a few short yearsdevelopedinto a comprehensive
faciiity for the diagnosisof musculardiseaseand other neurologicallesions.
Chirooody Services
In October 1987 a chiropodyclinic was set up. A full-time chiropodistwas employed
for in-patientand out-patienttreatmentsand orthotic appliances.
The Senior Citizens Foot Clinic initiated in 1979by the PeterboroughSenior Citizens
Council and staffedbv volunteernursescontinuesthis servicefor seniors.
A Pain Clinic was openedon 4A in April 1987.
doorswereinstalledat thehospital'smain
automatic
to a patient'ssuggestion,
In response
patients
andtheir families.
entrance.to the benefitof
AshburnhamMedical Servicesobtainedoffice spacein Time Square.
88
TTIE DAY HOSPITAL
In 1985the Ministry approvedthe plansto convertthe formerpaediatricunit into a Day
Hospital. However, approvalto proceedwith the project was contingentupon the hospital
providingthe two-thirdsfundinguntil the Ministry could reimbursethe moneyfrom capital
gfants.
TheSistersof St.Joseph
decidedto front themoneybecausdbftheneedin Peterborough
for this serviceandalsoto free up thatpart of thehospitalwherethesepatientswerebeingnow
heated.
ThePeterborough
City andCountycontributedtheirone-thirdshares,andtheBeavermead
ConstructionLimited wasawardedthe contract.
"In one sEoketwo needsarebeingfilled, Seniorsget the medical
care they require and the community gets back some acute
treatment
bedsit needs.
" ....
€cte$orsuCh-E{alsiner, February27, 1985)
The Day Hospitalwasofficially openedJanuary13, 1986. The Examinernotingthe
event.
Hospital:newera"St.Joseph's
The one striking contrastaboutthe newly openedday hospitalis that it
doesn'tlook like a hospital.... The blue-graywallsandpale-pinkdoors
... homeyatmosphere
sharplycontrastingwith the traditionalivory. "
The CanadianOrderof Forestersdonatedmoneyto furnish the recreationroom for the
useof thoseattendingtheDay Hospital.
This newfacility situatedon the fourth floor of the 1922wing offersan interdisciplinary,
therapeuticprogftrm approvedby the Ministry and in keepingwith its mandateto provide
community-based
ambulatorycaresettings.
It is designedto provide out-patientservicesfor older patientsand it aims to promote
earlier dischargedates and to delay or avoid re-admissionsfor patients with a continuing
debilitatingillnessby treatingthemin the day hospital. It providesrehabilitationmeasuresto
victims of heartattacks,strokes,post-operative
therapyand other rehabilitationservices.
The program has now enteredits fifth year of operationand continuesto build its
resources.Swimmingsessions
areheldfor dayhospitalpatientsin thepoolat MountSt.Joseph.
89
Mayor Sylvia Sutherland - Ribbon Cutting
Day Hospital,January 13, f986
Day Hospilal Patienlsusing Poolat Mount St'Joseph
With a caseload of 15 patientsper week the director explains'that thejob is to promote
healthand independence
throughany meanswe can' - through the useof therapy, counselling
andassistingpeopleto learnabouttheir illness;to providethemand their familieswith skills and
supportallowingthemto adaptto their illnesses
while remainingat home. ....
A verbal and written assessment
is carriedout and a progressreport issuedregularly to
the patient's physician. As long as the patient is showing signs of improvementthe therapy
program is continued.
This hospitalparticipatedin celebrationsof 17 yearsof "Meals on Wheels" servicein
Peterborough.It had provided60 hot mealson Tuesdaysand Thursdaysand 30 on Wednesdays
eachweek since the servicewas inaugurated. The hospitalis reimbursedfor food and labour
costs.
Membersof theBoardsof bothhospitals
preparedfour televisionprogramswhichwere
broadcast
on thelocalT.V. station.Theseriesdealtwith: i) Volunteers,
ii) Emergency
Services,
iii) High Technologyandiv) PalliativeCare.
Thefirst joint Newsletter
Hospitals
Togetherwasissuedanddealtwith the six hospitals'
activitieswhichwereof oublicinterest.
An EmergencyTrauma Kit is availablein the EmergencyDepartmentsof the
Peterborough
Hospitalsfor any doctorwho is travellingto the sceneof an accident.
ThePharmacy
department
hasbeencomputerized.
Thisset-upmonitorsthepatient'sdrug
profile andeventuallytheir drugincompatibilities.
This systemis a recommendation
madeby
the Canadian
Councilon HosoitalAccreditation.
91
ST.JOSEPH'SGENERAL HOSPITAL OF PETERBOROUGHFOTINDATION
in 1985
Foundationwas established
The St.Joseph's
GeneralHospitalof Peterborough
as a serviceorganizationto supportthe work of St.Joseph'sGeneralHospital, Peterborough,
Mindenand Haliburton.
In reporting on the annual meeting, the Examiner noted that the chairperson,Carole
Pulver was completingthe nine year maximumtenn of office as specifiedin the By-laws and
with the
a wish that her namewould alwaysbe associated
"in expressing
the Carole A.
hospitalshe presenteda chequeof $2,000. establishing
GeneralHospitalof
Pulver EndowmentFund, to launchthe St.Joseph's
Foundation.
" ....
Peterborough
(From CaroleA.Pulver- November,1989)
The Foundationwas incorporatedand receivedits Charter, June22, 1985.
In thesetimes of tight budgetrestrictions,healthcare institutionsdependon voluntary
fund-raisingserviceorganizationsto augmentthe regularhospitalbudget.
All moneydonatedto the Foundationis ultimatelyappliedto one of three areasof need:
Constructionand renovations,equipmentpurchasesor education.
To achieveits goals,the Foundation'sBoardof eight Directorsperformsa three-foldtask
of raising, investingand distributing funds to assistthe hospitalsin maintainingcurrent levels
of serviceand initiate new programswhich meetpresentand future needsof the communities
the Foundationserves.
Severalexciting fund-raisingeventshave raisedthe protile of the Foundation:a Gala
Dinner Danceheld annuallyfor the pastthreeyears,a community-wideall day Golf Tournament
and Bike-a-Thons.
and a numberof otheractivitiessuchas Barbecues
A Patient-SolicitationProgramwas initiatedwith exceptionalresultsto date. Memorial
donationsand contributionshonouringloved oneson specialoccasionsenhancethe Foundation's
ability to help the hospitalsplan for their future.
In anticipation of the Provincial Ministry of Health approval to build and equip a
Regional Rehabilitation Centre at St.Joseph'sGeneral Hospital, a campaign committee,
establishedat the requestof the Hospitals'Board, hasmet regularlyfor the pasttwelve months.
includean in-depthvolunteerorganization,campaignthemeand logo, and
Its accomplishments
goals and strategies.
fund-raising
specific
92
fundsareencouraged
asa means
ofensuringthatindividualsand
Bequest
andendowment
lasting
groupswith a specialinterestin theHospitals
contributionto theirprograms.
canmakea
a centuryof service,the Foundation's
As St.Joseph's
GeneralHospitalapproaches
priority will be to ensurethatit continues
to flourishasa dynamicagentof servicemeetingthe
healthcareneedsof thecommunitv.
Statisticalreporton bedutilizationwasnotedat thebeginningandthe endof 1985:
"cancellation
days
of electivesurgeryon someconsecutive
therewereno availablebeds"...
because
for
department
"17 patientswerewaitingin theEmergency
admission
but couldnot be placedin the inpatientwards.
At the sametime therewere25 patientsoccupyingacute
butwhocouldnotbeplaced
beds,whohadbeendischarged
in alternativeaccommodation
becauseof the lack of these
facilities. Thesepatientsreceiveda totalof 1972additional
daysof acutecareaftertheywereeligiblefor discharge"...
"36 chronicc.[e patientswerewaitingfor transferto other
iacilities representing
40Voof acutemedicalcare beds
availableto patientsin needof hospitalcare. This together
with 21 patientsin emergencyrooms representsan
intolerablesituationfor patientsand hospitalstaff.
The reportof a studyby The TaskForceon BedNeedsfrom the District HealthCouncil
theneedfor 200addidonalnursinghomebeds
which wasreleasedaboutthis time, recommended
for Peterborough
and 18 chronicbedsin HaliburtonCounty.
Dr. Murray Elstonfrom the Ministry visitedthe hospitaland touredthe Emergency
department. On this particular day there were 13 patientsbeing cared for in the halls and
holdingunit.
The intensivecare unit showedan occupancyof l03.2Vofor the monthof Januaryand
the occupancy
ratefor medical/surgical
andorthopaedic
unitswas99.3Vo. Overthe pasttwo
yearsutilizationof emergencyfor intensivecarepatientsescalated
morethan300%(1987Annual
Report).
93
PROGRAM
AMBT]LATORYDAY STJRGERY
In September1986the Ministry gaveits approvalto expandthe hospital'sDay Surgery
programandapprovedfundsto expandthe Unit which includedrenovationsto the northwestarea
of 4D (1964wing). A furtherone-timegrantfor equipmentwasalsoprovided.
After the renovationswere completedand operationalin 1987over 50% of all surgery
in the hospital was done in this area.
To facilitatea smootherflow of patientsundergoingambulatorysurgery,a pre-operative
packagewasintroduced. This plan enabledinvestigationof patients'generalconditionby having
blood testing, X-ray, electrocardiogram,etc. done prior to admission.
The PastoralCaredepartmentrequestedand receivedapprovalof a trial period for a brief
evening prayer over the P.A. system. During this period many favourablecommentswere
receivedso approvalwas then given by the Board of Trusteesto continuethis practice.
A newtelephone
systemwasinstalledin March 1986.
A new 'state of the art' fluoroscopicx-ray facility was opened.
The Nuclear Medicine departmentwas incorporated into the Diagnostic Imaging
Departmentwhich includedRadiologyfunction, Ultrasoundand C/T Scanservices.
The Hospital Auxiliary fulhlled its pledge of $80,000 for the purchase of the
MammographyMachine in the DiagnosticImaging Department.
In supportof the major renovationsin the EmergencyDepartment,the Auxiliary pledged
$80.000 towards its cost.
The Ministry provideda grant to eachof the hospitalsin Haliburton and Minden for a
PatientInformation Systemfor emergencycare.
94
OPHTHALMOLOGY
The Chief of Staff, in the 1984 annualreport, noted the OphthalmologyDepartment's
program for out-patientcataractsurgery.
performing
of this serviceis a tributeto the skill of the surgeons
"The success
theseprocedures
and to the efficiencyof their screeningprogramin selecting
patientswho can benefitmost from thesetechniques. St.Joseph'sGeneral
Hospitalis a pioneerin this field and is one of the few hospitalsin Ontario
currentlyofferingthis serviceon an out-patient
basis."
thepurchase
of a laser
In orderto continueto providequalityeyecarein Peterborough
(A laseris aninstrument
thatconcentrates
light for a specificpurpose.)Since
unit wasessential.
this servicestartedin 1985the laserunit hasbeenusedto treathundreds
of patientswith eye
disease.
The Peterborough
Hospitalshttery providedthe $93,000fundsrequiredfor this laser
whichis locatedin 1922wing.
equipment
performinga cataractoperationwas
A shortT.V. articlefeaturingan ophthalmologist
preparedby CHEX andwasshownon theirregularnewscas!.
Threephysicians
from Kingstonanda nursefrom theirHomeCareprogramvisitedthe
hospitalto observeits day surgeryprogramfor cataractpatients.
(ultrasound)
In 1987calmactsurgeryby Phacoemulsification
techniquewasintroduced
physicians
here. Resident
fromTorontoandophthalmologists
from Ottawa,LondonandQuebec
havevisitedthe hospitalto observethis latesttechnique.
The Peterborough
hospitalsco-sponsored
a testimonialdinner for membersof the
Peterborough
Hospitalslottery Committeeand presentedthem with plaques,expressing
for assisting
in the hospitals'purchasing
appreciation
of equipment.
TheC.N.LB. acknowledged
appreciation
to thenursingstaffinvolvedin theretrievaland
donationof eyesto the Eye Bank of Canada. "All the eyeshavebeenusedfor corneal
transDlants.
"
9J
Computer-update
of financingsystemswithin
Four currentareasof activity arein place;i) implementation
ii) Microcomputeracquisition,iii) Joint hospitals'
the businessoffice andpersonneldepartment,
patientcare informationsystem,iv) Radiologydepartmentcomputersystem.
Program
OrganTransolantation
The PeterboroughHospitals'OrganRetrievalCommitteewasestablishedin 1987.
(M.O.R.E.)Programis a provinciallyfunded
TheMultipleOrganRetrievalandExchange
organizationfor organdonationin Ontario.
The objectives
of the M.O.R.E.programareto,
-
increasethe numberof organsavailablefor transplantation.
-
centres,
facilitateorgandonationsin non-transplant
-
ensurethe mosteffectiveuseof availableorgans.
and supportin Peterboroughand district for the
In order to heightenpublic awareness
formal
openingwas held January18, 1988at the
needof organ donationsfor transplants,a
GeneralHospital,ArmourRoadentrance.
M.O.R.E. office locatedat St.Joseph's
werearrangedandinformation
A numberof mediainterviewsandspeakerengagements
pamphletsand donorcardswereplacedin strategiclocationsaroundthe city.
The Public RelationsandHealthPromotionCommitteecomposedof membersfrom both
County-CityHealthUnit undertooka programof community
city hospitalsandthePeterborough
educationaboutAIDS.
A painting by an Italian artist and entitled Tarantellawas donatedby Dr.L.Flak in
Dr.E.A.Flak.
memoryof her husband
96
CORNERSTONELAID OCTOBER24. 1E88
October24, 1988in a
This historiceventof one hundredyearsago was re-enacted
symbolicceremonywhichtookplaceon thefront lawn of thehospital.
were
in periodcostumes
HelenWillcoxandGordGibb,dressed
To enhance
theoccasion
the first farnily to seekhelp
carriage,representing
chauffeuredto thefront doorin a horse-drawn
Hospital.
in St.Joseph's
in full ceremonial
attireproclaimedfrom the microphone
MonsignorC.H.O'Donoghue
Thomas
Dowling,
the
secondbishopof the Peterborough
words
used
by
Bishop
the exact
diocese.
for thesickandsuffering
"Thisinstitutionwill providecareandtreatment
faiths"....
... its doorswill be opento all religious
of thepublicwerein
hospitalstaffandmembers
A numberof Sisters,localdignataries,
trowelpassedon
theoriginalceremonial
attendance.SisterInez,our oldestmember,accepted
T.Foleythe hospitalchaplain.
by Reverend
"This trowelis a symbolof thebindingcovenantof love thatthe
had fusedtogether,that all
Sistersof St.Joseph
of Peterborough
may experience
the healinglove of Christ'scompassion.May
Almighty God continueto blessthe good work begunin the
yearsago"....
community
onehundred
Actually Gord Gibb had beena patient here two ystrs ago following a seriouscar
accident. He relatedin an interestingmannerhis personalexperienceof being nursedback to
Program.
healththroughtoday'sRehabilitation
97
Commissioning
of the Board of Trustees(1989)
Each year at the annualmeetingthe generalsuperiorof the Sistersof St.Joseph
of
Peterborough,
in a somewhat
formalstatement,
gratitudeto theBoardof Trustees
expresses
for
their hardwork, personalintegrityandfaithfulness
to this institution.
"We appreciatethe fact that, as BoardMembers,you know and supportthe
hospital'sphilosophy,its missionstatement,byJaws and legal obligations
(canonicaland civic) that areentailed,the financialexigencies
and the general
pastoralpurposefor whichit exists."
"In keepingwith a growingrecognition
in bothcivic andreligiouscommunities
of the significanceof the trustee/owner
relationship,and as the official
representative
of theownersof St.Joseph's
GeneralHospital,
I delegateto you as Board membersthe responsibilitiesof
governingthe affairsanddirectingthe operationsof the hospital."
In Memoriam
SisterCecilia,a boardmemberat thetimeof herdeath,diedApril 6, 1989. Shewasan
extraordinarywoman in her devotionto the Congregation
and its works. She will be
remembered
for heradministrative
skills,asa natural-born
leader,a womanof deepspirituality
andreligiousfaith who lived theseout in hereverydaylife.
SisterCeciliawasformergeneralsuperior
andCouncilmemberof theSistersof St.Joseph
Federation
andpastpresidentof the Canadian
of theSistersof St.Joseph
.
98
Quality AssuranceProgram
for Accreditation
to complywith Standards
This on-goingprogramhasbeendeveloped
GeneralHospitalMissionStatement.It
of CanadianHealthCareFacilities,and St.Joseoh's
procedures
goalsandassesses
in placeto assurethat thesegoalsare
hospital-wide
establishes
beinsachieved.
anda frameof mindof all personnel
"Thisqualityrequiresa commitment
givenour bestperformance.This
we
have
we
serve
believe
sothatthose
is our taskin theyearsalead."
HaliburtonandMindenwereagaingranted
GeneralHospitals,Peterborough,
St.Joseph's
(the
year
by
accreditation maximumallowed) the CanadianCouncilon HealthFacilities
a three
Accreditation.
OperationalReview
by the Ministry of Health, wascarried
A comprehensive
operationalreview, sponsored
hospitalsin theprovince.Its purposewasto identifycauses
out by consultants
on twenty-three
for chronicdeficit situations.
Early conclusionsthey reachedwerethat this hospitalwasproviding more servicesthan
resulted
it wasgivenfundsto cover, 'overutilizedandunderfunded'.Their recommendations
in diminutionof activityin the hospitalanda milliondollarcut in its budget.
wereimplemented:
In orderto producea balanced
budgetthe followingchanges
i)
admitted patients were not kept in the corridors of the Emergency
Departmentwaiting for hospitalbeds,
iD
basis,
an increased
numberof operations
wereperformedon a day-surgery
iiD
the bed occupancy
of the hospitalwas reducedfrom 99.3% to approximately
85Vo. Becauseof this, patientswaiting electiveadmissionfor medicaland
surgicaltreatmentwereoften delayedadmissionto hospital,
iv)
service was cancelledin one operating room resulting in further delay in
schedulingsurgery.
99
NURSING
IN THE'80'S
'60
'69 class,who havebeenin nursingpracticeon a
Owo graduates, classand the
numberof the hospital'sactive treatmentunits, sharetheir reflectionson changesthey have
experiencedover the pastten years).
Nursinghasgonethrougha rapidtransitionperiodsince1980. Nursesgraduating
in the
'80's arebetterpreparedboth in theoryandpractice. Formerly, nursesweretrainedto perform
certainproceduresin certainwaysfor specificreasons.Todaynursesasprofessionals
havemore
input into their practice.
In earlieryearsnurseswere'duty' boundandnursingwasmore'task'-oriented.Many
newadvancesin moderntechnologyhavegreatlyincreased
theneedfor moreon-goingeducation
and expertisein patientcareand treatment. Nursinghasbecomelessa servant-roleand more
a supportiverole for patients,- a teacherof preventivemedicineand health.
Nurseshaveacquiredadvancedskills oncereservedfor medicalpractice,e.g. cardiopulmonary resuscitationat advancedlevels and defrbrillation in case of cardiac arrest.
Intravenousdrug administrationby speciallyqualifrednurseshasbecomewidespreadnursing
practice.
There is more emphasisnow on advancededucation. Many coursesare mandatory
requiring regularre-certifrcation,Nursesare encouraged
to obtainuniversitydegrees.
Nursesexperiencea great changein the hospital'srole in healthcare. It has become
business
oriented,government
dominated
andfunded. while its primaryrole is in thecareof
the sickandneedy,it is now specialized
in definiteservices,e.g. orthopaedics,
rehabilitation,
ophthalmology,etc. Nursesalsobecomespecialistsin their chosenareasof practice.
In earlier timespatientswerenot told muchabouttheir illnessandtheir lovedoneswere
advisedin whisperswhentheprognosiswasgrave. To-daythepatient,asa responsibleperson,
is advisedof the conditionandthedecisions
regardingthe carethatis one'sown to make.
Critically ill patientswhoearlierwouldbeplacedin anintensivecareunit, arenow being
caredfor on the ward, the unit is generallyreservedfor thoserequiring the useof monitoring
equipmentor specializedtreatments.
100
Now, thereis a joint teamapproachbetweendoctorsand nurses,and a mutualrespect
to opinionsregardingthe patient'sneeds. Eachyearthe amountof paperwork
and response
of chartingarebeingtriedto find moreefficient,faster
seems
to beincreasing.Newermethods
and more accuratemethodsof recordingdata.
are
in the'80's asmoreof our agingpopulation
Geriatricnursinghasbecomea challenge
requiringcarein nursinghomesandchronicwingsof hospitals.In earlieryears,the elderly
werecaredfor in the family home. Now, mothersandfathersarc both workingand modem
homesare not easilyadaptedto servicesneeded.However,thereseemsto be a growing trend
services
becomeavailable.
towardshomecareasadequate
Sincenurseshavebecomeunionizedtheyhavebecomemoremilitant. AcrossCanada,
jobs
nursing,
femaleprofession,
strikingfor rightswhichmale-dominated
wesee
a predominantly
haveenjoyedfor years.
to institutions.
in thecommunityin preference
Manynursesarenowseeking
employment
The yearsof nursingeducationandthe organizationalskills acquiredin the hospitalsettinghave
by nurses,now employedin schools,in clinicsand in "HomeCare
beenfoundadvantageous
Programs",etc.
with theiremployment,
The 1980'shaveseennurseshortages
duein partto dissatisfaction
becomingtired of working shifts and weekendsand havinglimited time with their families.
The future may be more home-nursingand midwifery as hospital msts rise and
governmentrestrictscare in hospitalsand limits what can be done. However,the nursing
professionis still honouredandhonourableandis soughtafter by caringpersonsin our society.
101
Mr.Frank LussingwasappointedExecutiveDirectorAugust1, 1989replacingformer
director,Mr.Leo Dorionandinterimdirector,Mr.GerryRowe.
as assistantexecutive
weregiven new responsibilities
Five managers
of departments
directors:
-
ExecutiveDirector)
Therapeutic
andDiagnosticServices(Assistant
(Director
of Nursing)
Directorof PatientServices
HumanResource
Services(Directorof Personnel)
Financialand InformationServices(Directorof Finance)
PhysicalPlantServices(Directorof Maintenance).
beganin 1890with six Sistersand today,one
The hospitalcommunityof care-givers
with a growing
part-time
staffand240volunteers
hundredyearslater,thereare744full-timeand
needfor more.
are alwaysin demand
Critical areassuchas intensivecareandemergencydepartments
andexpandedshapingthe hospitalinto the
havebeenadded,subtracted
for nurses. Departments
specializedinstitutionit representstoday.
Ratedas havingthe secondhighestcasecomplexityof any communityhospitalin the
andwell equipped
is proudof its successful
st. Joseph's
province(includingteachinghospitals)
services.
andOrthopaedic
Ophthalmology
this
departments,
Orthopaedic
Housingone of the largestcommunityhospital-based
joint
procedures
including350 major
nearly1,000inpatientboneoperations
servicecornpleted
in the pastyear. More than 600 implantsor fracturecorrectionswere alsoperformed.
in theareaof DiagnosticImagery(formerly
havedeveloped
Themostsignificartchanges
Radiology),in the effectiveability to visualizewhatis wronginsidethe body.
passedby the Boardof Trusteesto reflect
AdministrativeBy-laws werereviewed'and
members
to
serveon hospitalcommittees.
other
staff
newlegislationfor nursesand
The centennialprojectof renovating'andrefurbishingthe hospitalchapelhas been
completed.This venturehasbeenmadepossiblethrougha numberof donationstowardsthis
purpose.
on March19 in memoryof SisterCecilia.
The chapelwasrededicated
702
(Directorof Finance)
The CentennialYear tends,inevitably,to focusour attentionupon the history and
traditionsof Saint Joseph'sGeneralHospital. A centuryof servicecertainlyleplesentsa
happensto be a
significantmilestonein the life of any organization.Whenthe organization
hospital,the milestonebecomesparticularlynoteworthysince the Centennialprovidesan
opportunityto celebrate100yearsof caring. Over the pastcenturyour families -- parentsand
haverelieduponSaint
grandparents,
unclesandaunts,sistersandbrothers,sonsanddaughters,
Joseph'sHospitalto meettheir healthcareneeds.Thanksto a dedicatedstaffandthe generosity
thehospitalhasbeenthereto meetthoseneeds.With thecontinued
of theSistersof St.Joseph,
GeneralHospitalwill
area,SaintJoseph's
andsurrounding
supportof thepeopleof Peterborough
continueto meetthoseneedsfor manYYearsto come,
to notethatthehospital'scost
of yearsgoneby, it is interesting
Reviewingtheaccounts
of operationfor the yearendedOctober1892,totalled$4,716.20.This costof operationcan
with thebudgetfor theyearendingMarch31, 1990whichtotals$31,831,500.00.
becontrasted
Eventhoughthe hospitalhasexpandedsignificantlysince1892,thesefigurescertainlyprovide
a graphicillustrationof the spirallingcostof healthcare.
The sourcesof hospitalrevenuehavenot reallychangedover thepast100yearsalthough
the proportionof overall revenueprovidedby eachsourcehasbeenaltereddramatically. For
grantsaccounted
for just under45% of totalhospitalrevenue.
example,in 1892,govemment
As a result of the introductionof variousgovemmentsponsoredhealth insuranceplans,
grantsaccountfor almost85.7V0of totalhospitalrevenuein 1990.
government
103
categoryhasalsochanged
spentin eachexpense
Theproportionof totalhospitalresources
thehospital'ssinglelargestexpense
quitea bit over theyears. In 1892,foodcostsrepresented
item, accountingfor 42.1Voof total expenses.In 1990,however,food costsconstituteonly
only 11.9%of total
andwageswhichrepresented
salaries
1.77aof totalexpenses.Conversely,
include:fuel costs,
Otherchanges
73.9Voof totalexpenses.
hospitalcostin 1892,now represent
in 1892to 0.4% today;and drugsand
which havebeenreducedfrom 10.4%of expenses
just
in 1892,andwhichtodayrepresents
whichmadeup 8.0%of expenses
medicines
expense,
costswhichmadeup 3.2%ol expnsesin 1892,nowaccount
3.4%of rhebxdget.Maintenance
for 2.5Voof the budget,and medicalandsurgicalsupplieshavegrownfrom 2.97oin 1892to
5.9VoIoday.
remainedrelatively
Despitethesechangingproportions,one thing has,unfortunately,
constantthroughoutthe past100years. Financialrecordsindicatethat thehospitalincurreda
deficitof $913.48for theyearendedOctober1892. Overthepast100years,it seemsthewolf
health
hasneverbeenfar from thehospital'sdoor,andthestruggleto meetthegoodneighbour's
careneedshascontinued,despiteeverpresentfinancialconstraints.
centuryof serviceto thecommunity,
As SaintJoseph's
GeneralHospitalentersits second
therearethosewhoaskhowthehospitalcancarryon in thefaceof ongoingfundinglimitations.
In searchingfor the answer,one needlook no further than the rich history and traditions
duringthe frrst 100yearsof hospitaloperations.
established
r04
APPRECIATION EVENT
MOTJNTST. JOSEPH
(Excerptsfrom theaddress
givenby SisterVeronicaO'Reilly, C.S.J.,
to theBoardof Trustees
GeneralSuperior,December13, 1989).
My personalwelcometo eachof you andto statepublicly our gratitudeand appreciation
for all thatyou do for St.Joseph's
Hospital.
As Boardmembers,you undertakeon our behalftheincreasinglylargetasksof directionsetting,policy-formingandgeneraldecision-making.
As Foundationpeople,you are involvedin the businessof assuringfrnancialresources
for presentandfutureenterprises
relatedto our institution.
Thephysicianspresent,representour dedicatedmedicalstaffwho aresoc€ntralto patient
diagnosisand treatment.
The seniorstaffadministerthedayto dayoperationsandrepresentto-nightall thosecaregivers who makeSt.Joseph'sHospitala goodplaceto work and in which to be caredfor.
Togetherasowners,volunteers,BoardandFoundation,medicalandadministrativestaff,
we constitutea majorunit of healthcare-giversin this community. And an occasionsuchasthis
is a celebrationof all the goodthatunit doesthroughoutthe year. It acknowledges,
aswell, the
difficult things we haveworkedthroughtogether.
So manyof the world's religionsplacea feastof light in the calendarthis time of year.
Not only do the long nightsand short,dark daysof the winter solsticemakeus long for light
but the tragic eventsthat seeminevitablyto mar this season,makeus feel keenlythe needfor
hope. As the shadowsof thedecade,indeedthecentury,lengthenthereis muchdarknessaround
us - andthereare somesignsof wonderfullight.
World wide hunger,extremepovertyand the crueltiesand oppressionthat characterize
andcauseit, diseases
that we havenot yet leamedto preventor cure, the tragediesof addiction,
personalalienation, meaninglessness
and madnessthat s€emcommon to our more affluent
societies. This world of darkness,as Shakespeare
might say, we acknowledgeours.
105
Ours,too, is the light. And this time of year,as Christiansespecially,we recallin a
to be our hope.
specialway thatthe light of the world hascometo brightenour darkness,
Europe,in theincreasing
freedoms
of eastern
We seethelight aroundusin theemerging
'90's
mustbea decade
of caringfor eachotherandour planet,in thevery
consciousness
thatthe
evidentrecognitionin surprisingplacesthatashumanswe hungerfor, we needandwe havea
morethanscience,moneyor powercan afford us.
right to a spiritualvision - to something
Hopeand light arepresenttoo, in thedecencyandhonestyof ordinarypeople,in the lives of
and
to standfor whatisjust, compassionate
whoareprepared
thoseindividualsandcommunities
its
witness
to
ready
to
die
to
non-violent,who work to bringaboutsucha world andwho stand
truth.
in givingpersonal
you arelight andhope. You aregenerous
To us as a Congregation,
of a healthcaresystem
time, gifts andenergy. You arewilling to sfugglein thecomplexities
andjust. It is in you
competent
fails, to be compassionate,
whichtrieshard,andoccasionally
in thedarkness'
light
shines
people
you
is
in
the
world,
that
like
thathope
andthroughyou and
The poet, GeraldManley Hopkinssaidthis so muchmoreeloquentlywhenhe wrote:
places,
For Christplaysin ten thousand
Lovelyin limbs,andlovelyin eyesnot His.
On behalf of the Sisters,I thankyou and I wish eachof you a very happyChristmas.
May it be a time ofjoy and safetyamongfamilyandfriends,a time of peacein your hearts.
And in the New Yearof 1990mayyou continueto be light amongus.
106
ENDPIECE
Our CatholicHealth Care Institutions,in most ways the sameas all other such
institutions,nonetheless
existfor a specialreason.Theyhavecomeinto beingandstruggleto
in thehealingministry
continuebecause
of a convictionanda traditionthattheyareparticipating
loveof Godvisiblein the world. Thatis a tall
of JesusChristandmakingthecompassionate
order becausewe are all weakand sinful peopleas well as goodand dedicatedpeople.
Our strengthlies in two things:we believewe can makeGod's love visible to those
we know thatGodlivesin us throughour baptismandgivesus the strength
aroundus because
whoworktogetherto makethehealingministry
weneed;thishospitalis a communityof persons
makes
happen,andcommunity
us strong.
in
sophistication
Healthcareis now movinginto thetwenty-frrst
centurywith increasing
promotion
human
life.
health
and
enhancement
of
methods
of
andextension
ofcontrolofdisease,
In closing,I wish to expresson behalf of the Sistersof St.Joseph,our profound
gratefulness
to the care-givers
andreceivers
of St.Joseph's
GeneralHospitalover thepast100
years.
Intellect,will, feelings,mindandbody,pastandfuturecometogether. Humanneeds
reassurance,
trustandfaithin Godkindlethe
of presence,
sincerity,understanding,
compassion,
past
person.
within
each
Through
the
decades
of
the
century, the special spirit of
spirit
Hospitalhasbeenkeptalive. It will continueto bethewonderfulplaceit is because
St.Joseph's
of you andbecause
of the missionit strivesto fulfil,
M.
107
References
McDermot,H.E. M.D., OneHundredYearsof Medicinein Canada.
Toronto.McClelland& StewartLrd.,1967.
Schoolof Nursine.
McDonald,Margarct,csj - A Heritageof Caring:A Historyof St.Joseph's
(1906-197
4) Peterborough198L
Rouleau,J.P., PresentSituationandFutureof CatholicHosoitalsin Canada.
Quebec:Iaval University,1972.
Sawyer,Glenn,M.D. TheFirstHundredYears:AHistoryof theOntarioMedicalAssociation.
1980.
Toronto:OntarioMedicalAssociation.
Archives- Mount St. Joseph,Peterborough.
Archives- St.Joseph's
GeneralHospital,Peterborough.
Examiner.
Peterborough
Variousinterviews.
108
RE-DEDICATION
ST.JOSEPH'S
GENERALHOSPITAL
We bow in profoundgratitude
for the countlessministrations
l o t h es j c ka n d n e e d ;
within your walls
duringthe past
ONE HUNDRED YEARS
alwaysprotectiveof
HUMAN LIFE WITHOUT COMPROMISE
As a tree lives from its roots
you have been rooted in love.
Love meanssacrifice.
Without love you cannotsurvive
As you continueyour Mission,
I lslilnrlot
lt&+
1.1t1
"LET ALL FIND COMPASSION IN YOU"
(St.Tohnof theCross,7542-7597)
109
HospitalChapelRededication
March 19, L990
110
ADDENDA
A
HospitalAuxiliary
B
Clinical Iaboratory
c
Medical Records
D
SocialServices
E
PastoralServices
F
Official Listings
G
CentennialEvents
lll
A-1
HOSPITAL AI.XILIARY
(DoreenLee)
of the Sistersof St.Josephseveraldedicated
With the activesupportandencoumgement
womenmetto form an Auxiliarygroupfor thehospital.Theinauguralmeetingwasheldin the
Lynchwaselected
26th,1946.Mrs. F.J. (Catherine)
onJanuary
auditoriumat MountSt.Joseph
its first president. Committeeswere formed,convenorsappointedand so beganthe history of
Hospital.
an Auxiliary whichhascontributed
so muchto St.Joseph's
From the very beginningservicewasthe keyword. Membershipin the Auxiliary was
activelyrecruitedboth in thecity andin therural areasandfundraisingprojectswereundertaken
and the variouscommitteeswere hard at work. At the end of its first year the Auxiliary was
heavily involvedin providingfrnancialsupportfor the newNurses'Residenceaswell astaking
chargeof the graduationexercisesand dance. The SewingCommitteewas busy turning out
hundredsof itemsandeachcity parishtooktumsvisiting thesick. Fundswerealsobeingraised
to provideneededequipmentfor the hospital. It wasindeedan eventful, fruitful year.
ln 1947 the Auxiliary becamea memberof the Hospitals' Auxiliaries Associationof
Ontarioandparticipatedin regionalconferences.This wasalsothe yearthat the annual"Violet
Tag Day" began- for many ystrs this was the major fund raiser. The constitutionof the
Auxiliary was also finalized.
By 1949the Auxiliary lookedaheadwith confidenceand pledgedto extendits work.
As the hospitalexpandedso did the scopeof volunteeractivities. New serviceswere
addedas needed.In 1961a fledglingTeenVolunteerprogmmwasintroduced.But with the
medicaltechnologyandequipment,needsslowly changedand so,
adventof more sophisticated
necessarily,volunteeractivities were tailored to fit theseneeds. As well, volunteerswere
changing- they soughtopportunitiesto participatein serviceswhich were moredirectly patient
related. By the early seventiestheir activitieswereso varied that the Auxiliary appointedone
of its membersto co-ordinateand direct all the volunteerservices.
tt2
A'2
'Ihese
In consultationwith Administrationand staff severalnew servicesevolved.
TeenVolunteerprogram,an Admittingserviceand a Portering
includeda greatlyexpanded
CentralSupplyand
service. Volunteersstaffedthe InformationDesk,workedin Emergency,
on Nursingunits. It wasat this timethatmenwereactivelyrecruitedandarenow contributing
in all of the services.
The hospitaland the Auxiliary owesa deepdebtof gratitudeto thosededicatedhard
workingwomenwho established
thecaringguidelines
thatstill prevailin the Auxiliary today.
As the hospitalcelebrates
its centennialthe Auxiliary remainsan integralpart of its
giveover 28,000hoursof serviceeachyear
250volunteers
historyof caring. Approximately
and engagein fund raisingactivitieswhich haveprovidedso much in the way of needed
of eachandevery
equipment.All this hasbeenmadepossibleby thehardwork anddedication
volunteer.
year,the Auxiliarylooksforwardto continueworkingwith the
In this, the centennial
Administration
Sisters,theBoardof Trustees,
andstaffin meetingtheneedsof our community
in the yearsahead.
113
B-l
TIIE CLINICAL LABORATORY
(ChiefTechnologists)
In theClinicalIaboratoryof a hospital,theprinciplesof Chemistry,PhysicsandBiology
whetheror not they
of bodyfluidsandtissues,whichdetermine
areappliedto theexamination
containthe materialsfound in thoseof healthypersons.
Physiciansusethis informationto arrive at a diagnosisandto prescribefor and manage
the treatment of their patients. It is therefore necessarythat a labomtory service is
and undermedicalsupervision.
contemponry, dependable
The Pathologist,a physicianspecializingin pathologyprovidesthe medicalsupervision.
The Pathologistdirectsthe choiceand performanceof laboratoryinvestigations,interprets
the resultsof laboratorytestingand is availableto the attendingphysicianfor consultation.
aretheMedicalLaboratory
AssistingthePathologistby performinglaboratorytechniques
education
and
for theundergraduate post-graduate
Technologists.The Pathologistis responsible
of MedicalIaboratory Technologists.The first schoolwasopenedin 1956and SistelSt.Martin
wasits first director.
Body
(C.S.M.T.)is boththe Standards
Societyof MedicalTechnologists
The Canadian
Medical
Within
the
Canadian
Technologists.
Medicat
Laboratory
Body
for
and the Registry
Associationis the approvingcommitteefor trainingprogramsin Medical Technology. This is
The Conjoint Committeeon the Accreditationof EducationProgramsin Medical Labomtory
Technology.
The Clinical Laboratoryin St.Joseph'sGeneralHospital, Peterborough,Ontario, was
the
in 1913at therequestof theMedicalStaff. SisterM. Angelica,R.T. (Canada),
established
by a coursein Medical
only technologiston staff at the time, waspreparedfor this assignment
of l-aboratory
Canadian
Society
Illinois.
When
the
in
Chicago,
Technology
Laboratory
was
formedin 1936,receivedits chafterin 1937,SisterAngelica amongits first
Technologists,
members.
As the laboratorygrew, it movedfrom a comet in the attic of the 1890building, to a
room ne;lr the operatingroom in the 1922Wing. Then in 1947it movedto the classrooms
vacatedby the Schoolof Nursing which was transferredto the new residenceand schoolof
nursingbuilding. In 1963the final movewasmadeto the laboratory'spresentlocationin the
D wing.
tt4
t5-z
From 1928to 1983the Directorsof the Laboratorywere:
Doctor C.B.Waite
Doctor E. Dutkevich
Doctor W.A. Dawkins
-
1928- 1956
t956 - 1973
19'73- 1983
to serve
wassetup underDoctorJ.H.Whiteside
In 1983a systemof "rotatingpathologists"
Civic Hospital,and as
GeneralHospitaland Peterborough
as Directorsfor both St.Joseph;s
Port
Hope and District
District,
and
consultantsfor campbellfordMemorial, cobourg
Hospitals.,
servicewhichcouldbeofferedin 1913thelaboratoryhasevolvedinto
Fromtherudimentary
service,housedin ten rooms,completewith a wash-upand sterilizing
a comparablyadequate
room, ECG and classroom,out-Patientarea, offices and record alea, storagearea, and
laboratoriesequippedfor:
in 1977)
Virology (discontinued
MicrobiologyandserologY
Media preparation
Haematology
(BloodBanking)
Immunohaematology
andUrinalysis
Biochemistry
Histology.
applied
growthin scientihcknowledge
Thelastthirty to forty yearshasseenthephenomenal
in the quality,accuracyand
to medicaltechnology.This hasresultedin a rapidadvancement
wrestle
with humandisease.The
(tests)availableto doctorsas they
quantityof techniques
GeneralHospitalhad kept pacewith such advances,as the new
liboratbry at St.Joseph's
thepacehadto quickenandthescope
but suddenly
available,
became
andinstruments
techniques
hadto broaden.The impactof certaineventsin thelaboratoryspedthe process'
the canadianRedcross hadbegunto assumeresponsibilityfor
By 1954(approximately)
and hadsetup BloodBankDepotsin major
bloodfor transfusions,
collectingand piocessing
to supplybloodfor the hinterland.
citiesacrosscanada,but badnot yet undertaken
led by Mrs.charlesRae,blooddonor
In 1956with thehelpof l,ocalRedcrossmembers,
hospitals.This ensuredsuppliesfor
city
of
both
laboratories
clinicswereheldbi-monthlyin the
peterborough's
a donorlist andhavingto stopto collectblood
needs.It eliminatedsupervising
at busytimes. Realrelief camewhenthe TorontoDepotbeganto hold its own blood donor
of processed
clinicsin Peterborough.Now both hospitalswereassuredof weeklyshipments
betweenPeterborough
at a timewhenpublictransportation
occurred
bloodunits. If emergencies
breach
andbroughtus the
into
the
Police
stepped
Provincial
the
andTorontowasunavailable,
blood in fair weatheror foul.
115
B-3
When in 1956,Doctor EudoxiaDutkevichbecamethe first full time Director of the
its first directpersonal
Iaboratoryin St. Joseph'sGeneralHospital,thelaboratoryexperienced
wereenrolledin the
medicalsupervision.And when,in this sameyear,the first two students
of a
Laboratory
wasassured
the
newlyestablished
Schoolof MedicallaboratoryTechnology,
of the schoolremainedon staffeither
supplyof trainedpersonnel,sincemanyof thegraduates
temporarilyor permanently.
up
In 1958,an automatictissueprocessor
and a secondbinocularmicroscopespeeded
production,while the increasednumberof betterquality blood groupingsera,as well as
blood.
improvedmethodsof bloodmatching,eliminatedmuchof therisk in transfusing
The greatest
impacton the servicecamein 1963whenthelaboratorywasmovedinto the
neededto
andthespacefor theequipment
newlybuilt "D" Wing. At lastit hadthefurnishings
keeppacewith the demandsfor thoseimprovedand specialtestswhich were now available.
of
immediately.Soontheseparation
by electrophoresis
wasintroduced
Testingfor electrolytes
with
proteinsandlipoproteinsin bloodserumfollowed. And so it went providingphysicians
addedcluesastheysoughtto trackdownthecauseof humanillness.
andautomaticlaboratorytestingwerebecoming
By 1968instruments
for semi-automatic
morereliableandwereintroducedinto thelaboratoryeachyear. Theresultingimprovedquality,
accuracyand speedin reporting findings in hematology,biochemistry,electrocardiography
(EKG's),tissueanalysis,andevenin BloodBanking,hasbeengratifying.The introductionof
alsosavedtime andmoney.
vacutainers
to collectbloodspecimens
I-adies'Hat
Custom-made
projectsto helpdefray
undertookmoney-raising
ln 1964a numberof hospitaldepartments
hataccordingto
thedebton the newwing. Our projectwasa prizeof a $25.00Custom-made
the preferenceof the womar.
a hatdisplay,with stylechange
PaulBunnwhosehobbywasmakingIadies' Hats,arranged
prize
winnerwas Mrs. (Doctor)Atkinson,
weekly. The ticket salenetted$720.00and the
Norwood.
116
c-1
MEDICAL RECORDSDEPARTMENT
(Directors-MedicalRecords)
Within the last hundred years many changeshave taken place in the Medical Records
Department. Thesechangesinclude an increasein the size of the department,the number of
personnel,the amountand quality of the work doneand the methodin which it is done with the
useof modernand sophisticated
equipment.
In 1938the first RegisteredRecordLibrarian (now known as Health RecordAdministrator)
was hired and a systemfor coding and cross-indexingdiseasesand operationswas set up. A
patient'sindex and physicianindex was also set up. There were approximately80 bedsat this
tlme.
In 1952a Schoolfor Training Medical RecordLibrarianswasopenedunderthe direction of
SisterCeline. It was a 12 month courseand there were four students. The schoolwas closed
the following year.
In 1956all the medicalrecordsup to the end of 1950were microfilmed and storedon reels
in the M.R.D. Sincethen microfilming is doneon a regularbasisand a new microfilm readerprinter waspurchased
in 1989.
The medicalrecorddepartmentwaslocatedin two different locationsnearthe Armour Road
entrance. In 1963 the departmentwas moved to the presentlocation in the D Wing. At the
same time the storagearea was located in the basementof the D Wing and equipped with
movableshelving.
In 1951 a dictating machinewas installedard a medicalsecretarywas hired. There have
been many changesand expansionsto facilitatedictating for membersof the medical staff. In
1987 a new central dictating systemwas installed in order to cope with the large volume of
dictation which consistsof histories,consultations,progressnotes,operativeprocedures,etc.
In 1965the H.M.R.L (HospitalMedicalRecordInstitute)wasintroducedand all the medical
statisticswere receivedon computerprintouts. St. Joseph'swas one of the first hospitalsto
participate. In 1983the computersystemfor HMRI abstractingwaspurchasedfrom the Network
Data Systems. This producedconsiderablecost savings.
tt7
c-2
In 1973the positionof a HealthRecordAnalystwas createdfor the Medical Audit
Programme.The office waslocatedoppositethechapel. In 1980theDirectorof theMedical
RecordDepartment
responsible
for thisprogramme,
became
andin 1985shebecameresponsible
for the HospitalWide QualityAssurance
Programme.
In 1982theJointFormsCommittee
with Peterborough
Civic Hospitalwasformed. In 1985
the Medical RecordsCommitteestartedto meetiointlv with the commmitteeof the Civic
Hospital.
In 1986 the Director of Medical Recordswas given responsibilityfor Health Record
functionsat the hospitalsin Haliburtonand Minden. In 1988 a computersystemfor
HMRI/CPI/Emergency
Registration
wasinstalledat both facilities.
In 1983a colour-coded
terminaldigit systemwasbegun. In 1987the first computerfor
wordprocessing
wasobtained.In 1988a computerwasacquiredto producein-housestatistical
reportsandnewplansgot underwayto developa joint computersystemwith the Peterborough
Civic Hospital.
In 1989 the ManagementRegulationin the Public HospitalsAct was revisedwith
impacton Retentionof Records.
considerable
The volume of work in the Medical RecordDepartmentcontinuesto increase,and at the
presenttime the staffcomplement
is 10.5Full Time Employees.
118
D-1
SOCIALSERVICESDEPARTMENT
(Director - Social Services)
The Social ServiceDepartmentof the hospitalwas establishedMay l7, 1968 and its ltrst
director was Mary Parthun. It was the first social serviceoffered in a generalhospitalin the
Peterborougharea. Consultantservicewas providedby Family Counselling.
With this new serviceits scopewidenedgreatly to include generalplanning for the social
well-beingof patients. There was also the responsibilityto interpretthe socialneedsof patients
to official agenciesand to the public at large. A brief wasalso submittedto City Council urging
broad planning for the basicneedsof the agedand the poor of the area, urging more direction
of voluntary funds to me€t theseneeds.
Becauseof the deleteriouseffectsof long hospitalizationon the personaland social life of
for patients. Follow-up is also
the patient, there is now a stronginterestin discharge-planning
part
regardedas an important
of socialwork.
In keeping with its philosophy, the responsibilityof the departmentis extendedto the
community at large and for participationin worthwhile communityprojects.
In the team-approach,membersfrom eachdisciplinebring their point of view to the total
situation. Here Social Servicesunderlinethe social needsand relationshipsof individual and
inter-relationshipsof community services.
The activitiesof today'sdepartmentincludepatientservices,communityaction, studentand
staff education.
Recently a brochure was developed and given to families of patients being transferred to
Toronto. At the requestof Minden and Haliburtonhospitals,a somewhatsimilar brochurehas
beendesignedfor patientsbeing transferredto Peterborough.
119
E-l
PASTORALSERYICES
(Director of PastoralCare)
and
"To visit thesickaftertheexampleof ChristHimself is indeeda scripturalexhortation
is in the recordedhistoryof Christianity.
the
its responsibility
whentheyaccepted
A naturalwork in a hospital,the Sistersassumed
invitationof Right ReverendR.A. O'Connor,D.D.,to lakeover the operationof St.Joseph's
Hospital,Peterborough.
For tlle next forty yearsmedicalsciencewasrudimentaryandthe total careof the hospital
patient,body, mindandspirit, wasrelativelystable.Thenumberof patientswassmallandthe
helpful
for theSisterSupervisors
to establish
turn-overlimitedsotherewereampleopportunities
patient-relationships.
Clergymenof patients'religiousfaiths visited on a casualbasis and parish priests
administered
the sacraments.
Sistersandclergywereon call sevendaysa weekandwouldbe
availableto be with thevery ill anddying.
thecausesof disease
becamethe challenge.
As medicalscienceandtechnology
advanced,
But the successfulwar on a numberof diseases
seemedto drive a wedgebetweenmedicineand
religion. Therewasincreasingemphasis
on the causeof sufferingwith lessconcernfor the
sufferer.
As socialsciences
were beingintroducedinto the field of medicine,the importanceof
psychologicaland social factors affecting illness was becomingrecognizedwith a better
relationships.
of the role of humanandinterpersonal
understanding
by Bishop
V.Gillogly,whowasappointed
Thefirst full-timehospitalchaplainwasReverend
in
wasto try to discoverhis role in this medicalenterprise
B.I.Websterin 1958. Thechallenge
an
physical
His
function
became
terms.
a setting which defined sicknessin stdcdy
in addition
andencouraging
to evolveascomforting,supportive
accommodating
oneandseemed
ministry.
to his sacramental
In the 60's and70's with conflictsof medicineandreligionthe medicalworld beganto rethink its conceptsof health and medicalpractice. The medicalprofessionalsrecognizedthe
complexinteractionbetweenthebiological,social,mentalandspiritualforceswithin theperson
life style,diet,exercise,values,faith meaning
aswell astheinterplayof heredity,environment,
andcommitments.
120
As healthcareperspectives
broadened,the importanceand needof pastoralservicesbecame
betterunderstood.In due time the CanadianCouncilon HealthCareFacilities in their standards
for Accreditationrecommendedthat every hospitalhave a PastoralCare Department.
A volunteerprogramin Palliativecare within the Pastoralcare Departmentwas established
in 1982 by ReverendC.Rushman,S.J. Director. The first co-ordinatorof Palliative Care was
Mrs. Lyla Ranney.
The first budgetfor the PastoralCare Departmentwas presentedin 1987. Today, Pastoral
Educationprogramsare availablein a variety of settingsand are recommendedfor all who wish
to work in PastoralMinistry. It is a sharedministry. To be pastoralmeansto engagein the
propheticrole of theologicalreflectionand compassion.
The staff in PastoralCare strive to acquirea listeningheart, a contemplativestance,taking
'other'.
into oneselfthe joy and pain and concernof the
As we move rapidly towardsa new century, alreadythere are signsof vital sparksin the
'quality time', time
evolution of the spirit. The individual seemsto sensethe need to find
devoted to enhancinghuman relationships,and restructudngpersonalgoals and values and
seekinganswersto the basicquestionsaboutlife, which every thoughtfulhumanbeing must ask
for an entire lifetime.
Hospital Chapel
March19,
After extensive
renovations
andrefurbishing,
thechapelwasofficiallyre-opened
in memoryof SisterCecilia
it wasre-dedicated
1990. At therequestof theSistersof St.Joseph
from 1976-1983.
Maloney,C.S.J.who servedas GeneralSuperiorof the Congregation
In additionto daiiy liturgy which is opento the largercommunitythe chapelis usedfor
prayerservices,e.g. studentsin C.P.E. Course(ClinicalPastoralEducation)and monthly
memorialservices,etc.
of quietandpeace
It is alsoavailableto patients,staffandvisitorswhodesireanatmosphere
for reflection.
t2l
E-3
Blessingand Rededication
of
St.Joseph'sHospitalChapel
March 19. 1990
(Homilyby BishopJamesDoyle,D.D.)
The Blessingof a hospitalchapelis an importantmomentin the historyof a HealthCare
of care,
for usat St.Joseph's
whatis theheartandcoreofour philosophy
Facility. It underlines
our mission.
Two personsemphasize
whatI wantto sayto you.
whois thepatronof our hospitalandthe
we blessthischapelon theFeastDayof St.Joseph
herefor 100years.
patronand modelof the Sisterswho haveministered
wasthefosterfatherof Jesus.He raisedHim andcaredfor Him andHis Mother
St.Joseph
in theBible.
Mary. In scriptureHe is described
"asthejustman"- theonlypersonsodescribed
"Just" means"giving to all their properdue". What a beautifulmodelfor a hospitalanda
community! To give to everyonewho comesherethe carethey need,the concernthat they
need,the compassion
and warmththat their humanitydeserves.That is what the holy man
whosenamewe bearcallsus to in our hospital'sministry.
- this chapelis beingdesignated
to-dayasThe Sister
The secondpersonis a contemporary
CeciliaMemorialChapel. Shewasa wonderfulwomanthat mostof us knew, admiredand
who stroveto live themottoof hercommunity"TheLove
loved. Shewasa Sisterof St.Joseph
was
of Christhasbroughtus together".This shebroughtto all shedid - andhow monumenlal
her contributionnot only for hercommunitybut thechurchandour society.Thatvery special
dimension,to seein all othersthe Christto be lovedandservedis the specialqualityher life
herwork andperson- to giveto all whocometo thisfacility
teaches
us to-dayaswe remember
the love that we wouldgive to Christ;the lovethatChristwouldgive to themif He laboured
here.
thishospitaland
of thesevaluesthatshoulddistinguish
May thischapelremindusconstantly
of the rich humanityof everyperson and the love of
makeit distinctive a deepawareness
Christthat we can bestowon themgiving to eachrichly what theyjustly deserveas human
personslovedby God.
May this Chapelbe the dynamoof suchcareandlove.
Amen.
122
CHAIRPERSONS.BOARD OF TRUSTEES
(Title changesof the GoverningBoard)
ManagementBoard
Advisory Board
Board of Directors
Board of Trustees
1890- 1940
1940- 1966
1966- 1972
1972-
Sistersof St.Joseph
1890- 1939
Mr.JamesLynch
1939- 1940
MI.J.R. Corkery
1940- 1960
Mr.E.W. Curtin
t9ffi - 196r'.
Mr.W.F. McMullen
1964- 1966
MI.N.J. Crook
1966- t969
Mr.E.W. Curtin
t969 - 1975
MI.C.M. Krug
1975- 1976
Mr.Sam Murphy
1976- t978
Mr.John McCarney
1978- 1980
Mr. Frank Petrie
1980- 1982
Mrs. Carole Pulver
1982- 1984
Canon Bill Moore
1984- 1987
Mrs. Helen Willcox
1987- 1990
tz5
r-L
HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATORS1890- 1990
1.
SisterAnslem
1891
1890-
2.
SisterVincent
18911895
3.
SisterClotilde
1895-1901
4.
SisterSt.Michael 1 9 0 1 - 1 9 1 1
5.
SisterAntoinette
1911-1917
6.
SisterSt.Michael
1917-1923
7.
SisterSt.Bernard
1923-1929
8.
SisterSt.Joseph
1929-t935
o
SisterAntoinette
1935-1940
10.
SisterMary Esther 1940-1946
11.
SisterPriscilla
1946-1953
t2.
SisterJosepha
1953-1959
13.
SisterMariePaul
1959-1970
14.
Mr.lro Doiron
19701989
15.
Mr.GerryRowe
1989(Interim)
16.
Mr.FrankLussing 1989-
TU
F-3
MEDICALDIRECTORS
Dr.R.S.Chenoweth
March1972- Aprll 1974
Dr.J.R.Epping
Aprrl1974- February1985
Dr. P. Richardson
March,April, May 1985
Dr.J.R.Epping
1985
Juneto December
Dr.M.Trossman
1986-
CHIEFSOF STAFT'
Dr.L. Zacks
1962
Dr.W.W.Belch(MedicalStaff
Representative) 1962
Dr.H.E.Gastle
1963
Dr.W.W.Belch
1964
Dr.O.B.Richardson
1965
Dr.A.M.Turner
1966
Dr.T.J.Sheppard
1967-1968
Dr.R.S.Chenoweth
1969-1970
Dr.J.R.Epping
l97r-r9'74
Dr.I.O.Drysdale
r974-1976
t2J
-.MEDICAL STAFF
PRF"SIDENTS
1960
1961
1962/1963
1964
1965
t966
t967
1968
1969
r970/72
1973/74
D77
1975176-Apm
1977
May - December
1978
19'79/t980
1981/82t83184
1985/86
1987/88/89/90
Doctorswhosenamesare on early recordsof the GoverningBoard
1939- 1959
1957- 1964
1962- 1963
1963
1964
1966
1966
1966
Dr. F.P. McNulty
Dr. M. Moher
Dr. H.E. Gastle
Dr. O.B. Richardson
Dr. A.M. Turner
Dr. T.J. Sheppard
Dr. A.H. lrvy
Dr. P. Bodrug
t26
F-6
PHYSICIANS'SERVICEAWAR"DS
GOSPITAL COMMITTEE WORK)
Dr.J.J.Neville
Dr.K. Milne
Dr.J.R.Epping
Dr.D.B. Kelly
Dr.I.R. Mclran
Dr.H.J.Mccartney
Dr.D.R. Clark
Dr.G.M. Deyo
Dr.B.D.Feaver
Dr.S.R.Martin
Dr.D.L. Norrie
Dr.R.I.L. Sutherland
Dr.C.J.Must
Dr.W.R.Mcl*an
Dr.C.E.Cragg
Dr.J.W. Martyn
Dr.R.L. Smith
Dr.J.E. Callaghan
Dr.M. Trossman
Dr.G.D. Keats
Dr.A.A. Minor
Dr.M.B. Trusler
Dr.R.A. Beamer
Dr.J.E.Gray
Dr.V. Arcieri
Dr.D.S.Campbell
Dr.J.A. Meade
Dr. J. Fagan
Dr.A.E.W.Morton
Dr.D.W.Aitken
Dr.R.S.Chenoweth
Dr.J.R.Morgan
Dr.A.H. kvy
Dr.A.M. Davidson
Dr.W.W.Belch
Dr.I.O.Drysdale
Dr.W.S.Gow
DI.D.C.May
Dr.N.A. Scott
Dr.A.M. Turner
Dr.S.B.Moore
Dr.R.M. MacMillan
DI.E.L. Magee
Dr.F.J.Strath
Dr.C.Varty
Dr.J.D.McCallum
Dr.E.J.Hambley
Dr.R.A.Durnin
Dr. D.J.Hartene
Dr. W.L. Rogers
Dr. E. Ho
Dr. R.H. Friesen
Dr. W.Beer
Dr.R.G.Caskey
Dr.J.D.Goodge
127
Dr.C. Maclsaac
Dr.E. Dutkevich
Dr.W.C. Wedlock
Dr.H.M. Yule
Dr.P.J.Doyle
Dr.W.J.Gamble
Dr.R.L. Clark
Dr.J.H. Fraser
Dr.A. Kelly
DI.F.C. Meade
Dr.T.J. Sheppard
Dr.G.W.Powell
Dr.G.A. Irwis
Dr.P.A.Clark
Dr.W.A. Dawkins
Dr. R.R. Mann
Dr.J.W. Mewett
Dr.R.G. Morrison
Dr.B.W.Johnston
Dr.I.C. Fung
Dr.D.A. Boyle
Dr.K. Sewchand
Dr.H.J. Stelzer
Dr.J.H.M.I,an
Dr.C.L. Boyd
Dr.R.M. Elliott
Dr.D.W. Smith
E'7
HOSPITAL AUXILIARY PRESIDENTS
1.
Mrs.F.J.Lynch
1946-1948
2.
Mrs.J.V. Gallivan
1948-1951
3.
Mrs.P.J.Anglesey
1951-1952
A
Mrs.B.Monaghan
1952-1954
5.
Mrs.J.L. Paquette
1.954-1956
o.
Mrs.B.Monaghan
1956-1959
7.
Miss L.Sullivan
1959-1961
8.
o
Miss L.Flynn
1.961.-1962
Mrs.J.Fitzpatrick
1962-1964
10.
Mrs.Cyril l,andry
1964-1965
11.
Mrs.B.Monaghan
1965-1966
t2.
Miss T.Lucas
1966-1967
l -1.
Mrs.S.Geale
1967-1968
14.
Mrs.K. McMullen
1968-1970
l).
Mrs.B.Haley
1970-1972
16.
Mrs.D.l-ee
1972-1974
17.
Mrs.M.Ramey
1974-1976
18.
Mrs.B.Haley
1976-r978
19.
Mrs.M.Thatcher
19781980
20.
Mrs.C.Clarke
1980-1982
21.
Mrs.D. MacCormick
1982-1984
22.
Mrs.E.White
1984-1986
23.
Mrs.M.Ramey
1986-1987
24.
Mrs.P.Houlihan
19871989
25.
Mrs.F.McGill
1989-
128
G
CENTENMAL YEAR PROGRAM
(Monthlyeventsplannedby theHospital'sCentennial
Committe€)
January2
-
February10 March30
-
April 21122 -
Centennial
YearLuncheon.
Centennial
Crestandsloganunveiled
andceremonialcutting of birthday cake.
Skatingpartyfor staffandtheir children.
SpringDance.
Centennial
Nurses'AiumniHomecoming.
May 27
-
FamilyHealthFair andOpenHouse.
June24
-
TeddyBearFair organizedby the
HospitalAuxiliary.
July
-
StaffFamilyPicnic.
August15
-
BirthdayGardenParty.
August12-18-
St.Joseph's
GeneralHospital,
Peterborough
Week.
- Peterborough
August26-Sept.30
MuseumCentennial
Exhibitionandspecialevents,
i.e. Publicspeakers
on historyof
MedicineandHealthCare.
October
-
Fall Ball.
November -
To be scheduled.
December -
Centennial
Christmas
Party.
t29
Re-enactnent- Arrival of First Patient' 1890
Iced Model of the llosPital
LR, Mayor Sutherland,HelenWillcox, SisterVeronica,Frank Lussing
January2' 1990
130
EX^ntitt*
Established 1847
Centuryto Celebrate
St.Joseph's
Hospital
PeterboroughExaminer,January2, 1990
S R U C El . R U D D P u b l , 3 h e r o n d c e . e r o l
E N AANOIO. Msiaging Editor
FFEO EISMONT.AdvertislngManager
Mo.oge.
BEVEBLEY
THOMPSON.
EdnodrlPaa€Editor
FTCHABO
RUSSELICkculation
Manaser
TUESOAY,
JANUAFIY
2. 1990
Centuryto celebrate
St. Joseph'sHospital
St. Joseph'sGeneral Hosnital
Sincethen. the hosDitalhas inmarks its 100th birthdav'this stituted services like a nuclear
year,a centuryof unstintiigand medicine deDartment.amDutee
essentialservice to the peopleof clinic, computerizedpharriracy,
thePeterboroushareaday hospital,chiropodyprogram,
In fact, the hi-storyof peterbor- cancerclinic affiliated with Prinoughis closelyentwinedwith the cess Margaret HosDital in Tohistory of the Sisters of St. Jo- ronto and"an off-site phvsiothejoseph's
seph,the.hospital'sfounderswho rapy department. St.also mark thelr centennialin the and the hosDitalsin Minden and
Haliburton ihat it took over in
city this year.
1983received their latest threeThe cornerstonefor the oriei- year profesionalaccreditationin
nal hospitalbuildingwas laid in 198B.
0ctober, 1888,with the official
The practice of medicine
openingheld Aug.20, 1890.The changedmarkedly during St.has
Jofirst 25-bedhosDitalwas located seph's HosDital's first
centurvon RogersStreet,site of the Dre- Where mosi of the burden
onie
s€nt bxildin€. That section ivas fell on
doctors
and
nurses,
todemolrshed
ln 1969.
day's patientsseea wide rangeof
St. Joe's.as it is affectionatelv professional and sxpp,ort staff
known. has expanded over thi: memDers and underqo Droceyears to eight fimes its original dures and treatmentJ m'edical
capacity.It has also changed,as and nursing practitioners could
hospitalserviceswereintegrated not evenimaginein 1890.
with thoseofferedacrosstown at
Oneprinciplehas alwayssusPeterboroughCivic Hospital. So tained both the Sistersof St. Jogreat wasthe needthat a mere 20 seph and the hospitals they are
years passed before new beds responsiblefor: service to this
and an elevator were added. A community regardless of race,
secondadditionopenedin 1922,a coloror creed.It is the firmest of
third in 1950and the most exten- foundationsas the hosDitalenters
siveaddition,D Wing,added113 its secondcentury and'theneonle
beds and several new depart- of Peterboroughwish it a hea'rtfelt HappyBirthday.
mentsin 1964.
731
a cWruny
orspRvlcg