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There have been some leadership changes at Health P.E.I., and the health authority’s new interim CEO Laurae Kloschinsky, says the province’s health system needs support and stability.
Laurae Kloschinsky was appointed to the role on March 11 after the province announced former CEO Melanie Fraser would be stepping down from the position effective immediately.
In an interview with CBC News: Compass host Louise Martin, Kloschinsky said she did not anticipate being asked to take on the interim role but she is “happy to help.”
“I think this team, the province, everyone in which …we work to serve in the health system just really needs some support and stability,” she said.
“I have had the privilege of working alongside Health P.E.I. with several projects over the last couple of years and so have an opportunity to sort of hit the ground with a little bit of familiarity.”
Kloschinsky, who will take over as interim CEO of the provincial health authority until a permanent replacement can be found, has a background as a pharmacist and formerly served as the assistant deputy minister for the Department of Health and Wellness. Her portfolio includes work in mental health and addictions, health workforce, health innovation and digital health.
Interim Health P.E.I. CEO, Laurae Kloschinsky was appointed to the role last week following the departure of Melanie Fraser. (Compass)
She said while stepping into the role wasn’t a move she anticipated, she understands the level of responsibility that comes with the job and she’s committed to doing her best.
“This isn’t something I aspired to be and applied for. It was, you know, an ask to step up and provide support, and that I can do. I can provide support for the team, I can be available for the team and I can commit to doing my best every single day until the transition period is over.”
Rebuilding trust
Kloschinsky is stepping into the role at a time when Prince Edward Island’s health-care system is under significant pressure. Three Island doctors recently informed Health P.E.I. that they are leaving their practices, adding to ongoing concerns about access to primary care.
The news of Fraser’s departure came after 93 Island physicians signed a letter to Lantz, Deagle, and Health P.E.I. board chair Richard Wedge saying they have lost confidence in Fraser’s leadership.
Kloschinsky said rebuilding trust will take time, commitment and “most importantly, to listen to everybody.”
“I think the ones that have the ideas to make suggestions for improvement are the ones that are experiencing the system every day, that are working in the system every day,” she said.
“If I can just provide a pathway for them to bring ideas, to bring their voice forward and follow up to those items that they’ve brought forward, I think that’s really, really important.”
WATCH | Family doctors push back against Health P.E.I. agreement:
Family doctors push back against Health P.E.I. agreement, saying it’ll drive physicians away
Some family physicians are pushing back against the province’s latest contract with doctors, saying Health P.E.I. doesn’t understand clinical practice. They say the agreement is going to drive doctors away from the Island. CBC’s Cody MacKay explains.
Further tension within the health-care system stems from a memorandum of agreement between the medical society, the Department of Health and Wellness and Health P.E.I., that set more flexible models for how many patients family doctors can and should handle. It received pushback from some physicians who feared it would cause some doctors to leave the province.
On Monday, the province announced that agreement was paused following a meeting last week between government and Health P.E.I. representatives, including Kloschinsky, and the medical society to discuss doctors’ concerns with the implementation of that agreement.
Kloschinsky said “the commitment was to pause, but continue the work.”
“The goal was really to provide an opportunity for them to share their experiences and for us to learn, additionally for us to chart a path forward.”
“We all collectively want to work together with the same spirit of the Physician Services Agreement when it was signed,” she said.
‘A lot of energy’
She said “without a doubt” those working within P.E.I.’s health system want to improve services.
“I think there was a lot of energy. I think there was a lot of concern that voices weren’t heard and I don’t think it was an intention of any party to get where it did,” she said.
“I’m a firm believer that leaders don’t get to talk about problems. We have to talk about solutions.”
Interim Health P.E.I. CEO Laurae Kloschinsky says ‘without a doubt’ those working within P.E.I.’s health system want to improve services. (Wayne Thibodeau/CBC)
Kloschinsky believes the province’s health system can be improved “by working together” and there are opportunities for ideas and change.
“But it’s a big system, it’s a big ask and I think it’s going to take some time, and that’s OK as long as we try and we start and we revisit and adjust when we need to.”
When asked about whether she is considering taking on the role permanently, Kloschinsky said it’s too soon to tell.
“I think it’s early days. I think it’s safe to say that this wasn’t expected or planned,” she said.
“I’m committed to helping the system and supporting the team, but I think it’s too early to even envision past this first week.”