Trillium In The News

Trillium Centre praised for restructuring Health

Tamara Shephard
Nov. 3, 2002

Trillium Health Centre recently received recognition as one of 'Canada's Top 100 Employers' for the third year in a row.

Mediacorp Canada Inc. lauded the restructured healthcare facility for developing specialized new care facilities, hiring and creating opportunities for employees in its third annual edition, to be released Nov. 15.

In an era when many healthcare institutions are closing their doors or downsizing, it is refreshing to see that some organizations are making the best of the restructuring taking place nationally," reads Trillium's profile in the 2003 Edition of Richard Yerema's latest volume.

The list, compiled by Toronto-based Mediacorp Canada Inc, showcases businesses that excel at attracting and retaining employees.

Companies profiled are compared to other businesses in their sector and run from biotech firms to Toronto Transit Commission and Hamilton Police Service.

Caroline Brereton, associate vice-president of people support with Trillium, attributed the hospital's success in recruiting and retaining quality employees to an innovative benefits and learning program.

"Employees attend conferences to develop their leadership skills and to grow in Trillium, rather than leave the hospital to pursue opportunities. Our staff are listened to and know their opinions count. We focus on people and strategically plan for what our staff need. We're not reactive," she said.

A 180-degree feedback model is used to peer review all staff. Hospital officials assist the learning required of registered nurses, registered technicians and physiotherapists - who must complete an annual certification program with their respective colleges.

Opportunities are also regularly provided to employees to lead projects outside their area or to participate in projects through secondment, Brereton explained.
Supplementing job satisfaction at Trillium are employee benefits, health club subsidy, maternity benefit top-ups, unpaid personal leave, flexible hours and social events.

Formed in 1998, Trillium Health Centre developed a strategic plan to deliver "world-class programs and services" to reflect both patient and staff satisfaction, she added.

Trillium is a merger of the former Queensway General Hospital in Etobicoke, now Trillium's ambulatory care facility and Mississauga Hospital. The Queensway's ambulatory surgical and medical programs won this year's 3M Health Care Quality Award.

The 800-bed hospital with 1,920 full-time and 1,400 part-time employees created 350 additional position last year, the majority of them nurses to reduce workloads and improve working conditions, Brereton said.

Employers who actively recruit and grow was used as the primarily criteria by Mediacorp publisher Anthony Meehan and his staff in examining 47,000 companies and organizations nationwide.

Trillium is the only firm with an Etobicoke site chosen in this year's Top 100.

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