South Riverdale Community Health Centre (SRCHC) has moved forward on several environmental, safety, and community engagement activities as part of a comprehensive quality improvement process over the past year.
“Quality improvement is an ongoing process, it is not an end-state,” said Kathleen Foley, Director of Quality Accountability and Evaluation, “but we did want to report on several successful initiatives and to recognize the work that has been done by our staff, volunteers and community partners over the past several months.”
In terms of environmental safety, SRCHC has expanded the presence of trained alternative security staff on site from 6am to midnight every day, with staff conducting hourly needle sweeps in the immediate area of the health centre. Neighbourhood security walks within an expanded area have also been initiated.
Working with Toronto Police Services, SRCHC has improved the external environment and added lighting and security cameras, improved sightlines, and has fenced off the area between the health centre and Queen Street Presbyterian Church. SRCHC has also added needle boxes and introduced needle sweeps twice daily within an extended perimeter.
“This year we refreshed and relaunched our community liaison committee (CLC),” said Sarah Grieg, Director of Substance Use and Mental Health. “The involvement of our neighbours and key community organizations has made a real difference. The CLC has been and will continue to be an important part of our improvements.”
The CLC was relaunched in December and is co-chaired by SRCHC’s CEO and a community member. The health centre has also hosted four open houses so far this year to inform the community about the Centre’s work and to hear directly from local residents and businesses.
For more information on SRCHC’s Quality Improvement Initiatives, please visit www.srchc.ca/community-engagement