The community, hospital staff and physicians will be asked for their feedback on a possible merger between The Scarborough Hospital (TSH) and Rouge Valley Health System (RVHS) during an engagement process that launched a new website and stakeholder consultations on August 22.

This stakeholder engagement initiative, which will run until late October, is part of a process in which RVHS and TSH are exploring the potential benefits and risks of a merger of the two hospital corporations. 

The hospitals have chosen the theme of Leading for Patients because it summarizes their shared vision for the future:

"We wish to create an integrated system of health care services that meets the needs of the people in our community, provides appropriate access to care, delivers an outstanding experience for patients and their caregivers, and uses our resources efficiently so that these services are sustainable into the future."

**Please note that Emergency Department "wait times" include the total time in hospital from arrival to treatment to discharge.  

When Henry Tsang sprained his ankle he tried to nurse the injury at home, but the pain finally forced him to visit The Scarborough Hospital's Birchmount campus. He found the experience wasn't what he'd been expecting.

Henry delayed going to the hospital because he'd heard so many stories about long wait times and poor treatment, but had to relent when the pain got too bad. The care he found in the Emergency Department and the fracture clinic was courteous and professional. 

"All in all the experience was better than I expected," he says. "I know the hospital is very busy."

As World Suicide Prevention Day approaches, The Scarborough Hospital will be addressing this very important issue with a workshop on suicide prevention on September 11. 

According to Statistics Canada, in 2009 alone, there were 3,890 suicides, which translates in to about 100,000 years of potential life lost to Canadians under the age of 75. Increasing awareness about suicide prevention and making sure individuals are aware help is available if they or someone they know has been thinking about suicide is important to reducing the rates of this major cause of premature and preventable death. 

The workshop will examine risk factors and warning signs for suicidal behaviour, as well as resources for those who may be considering suicide, their family and friends.

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The 5th Annual Scarborough World Cup of Golf, held at the Angus Glen Golf and Country Club, raised more than $75,000 for The Scarborough Hospital's Cancer Care program. 

Michael Mazza, President of The Scarborough Hospital Foundation, explained that the funds raised from The Scarborough World Cup of Golf will help The Scarborough Hospital (TSH) provide integrated cancer care services to the community. 

"It is The Scarborough Hospital's vision to have a coordinated and integrated Cancer Care program so our community can continue to receive high quality cancer care close to home," he said, adding that when the community comes together, great things can be accomplished.