CEO aggressively seeking to change image of LHC

– Several initiatives being explored-

The newly appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Linden Hospital Complex, Rudy
Small said that he intends to aggressively change the image that the Linden Hospital Complex
has.
This aggressive plan he said requires the support and involvement of all including staff and the
residents. Small was at the time speaking to www.aroundtheregions.com where said that he sees
his role as CEO critically important in helping to make the hospital more efficient to serve the
residents.

“We have the staffing I have looked at the staffing and I can divert resources to it. I have already
spoken to the PS and Minister on sevral of the initiatives that I intend to implement and they
have given me their blessings so whatever resources I need I will get,” he said.
Identifying one of the many initiatives that he will be implementing, the CEO said that it is
geared towards focusing on pregnant women and teenage girls. This, he said is to ensure that
they are not forced to come and access the hospital’s prenatal care. “It takes a toll on our services
to provide neonatal services to babies born prematurely. I can get all of the pregnant persons in
Region Ten regardless of where they are to access prenatal care. This will certainly save the
health system millions of dollars,” he assured.
The newly appointed CEO was open with his view that the Public Relations Department will
have to be more active in ensuring that pivotal information is disseminated to the public. He said
that sensitizing and educating the residents is a responsibility of the PR department. Small
reminded that it is the collective objective of the hospital to eradicate the many myths, which he
said continues to affect the image of the hospital.
“I have clearly engaged the PR department no less than three times and have clearly outlined my
expectations. I am hoping that the incumbent PRO is up to the challenge as there is a lot that we
will be doing,” he said.
Speaking about changes that will be made to the hospital, the CEO said that he intends to have
some significant challenges made to the buildings, which he said have been there for a very long
time. Small said that to accommodate several new and existing services that the hospital will
offer, there is a need for an expansion of the facilities. This, he said will ensure that persons
visiting the hospital can access all the services in a more professional and effective manner.
“I am about to sell to the government on the need to make an investment in a multipurpose
centre, because I would want to put some clinical services for certain services. I want to enhance
the physical structure as I try to upgrade the main hospital,” he stated.
Small disclosed that he has already met with several staff. This, he said included both senior and
nursing staff as he sought to understand the issues and or concerns that they have. He said that he
continues to meet with various departments as it is his intention to engage everyone.

“I engaged the staff most of my time thus far. I also met with the staff at the Wismar hospital and
I was able to resolve several of these issues after meeting with them. I also met with the staff at
the Christianburg health centre, it is important to know that this health centre falls under my
responsibility,” he said.
CEO Small extended an invitation to residents and the public at large to come on board with the
holistic development of the hospital. He remined that he is determined and committed to the
tasks ahead. As such, he remains confident that he is capable of getting the job done. He
reminded that next week he will be doing an extensive review and visit to the Kwakwani
hospital.