10 Steps to a Successful Governance Transfer

Abstract

The governance of several provincial psychiatric hospitals was transferred to the public hospitals across Ontario, with London and St. Thomas being two of them There were many learnings gained from the London/St. Thomas experience that can be taken forward to other transfers such as this. The keys to success included having a central negotiating table across all receiving hospitals, developing principles or values for a common vision across all parties, effective communication and commitment to the process. These learnings will be brought forward into Tier 2 and 3 of the transfers, when beds and programs will decentralize across Southwestern Ontario, and a reinvestment in community mental health will support the de-institutionalization of mental healthcare.