Nov. 30, 2006

Baycrest one of the first long-term care facilities in Ontario to hire an ombudsperson

Toronto, ON – Baycrest Geriatric Health Care System has hired an ombudsperson – making it one of the first long-term care facilities in Ontario to establish this role.

Mary Ward joined Baycrest in November. Reporting directly to the president and CEO, Ward will investigate complaints from clients and family members in an impartial fashion and facilitate resolution. Her new position replaces the former function of client representative at Baycrest.

“Mary’s educational and professional backgrounds are an excellent fit for the new position at Baycrest,” says president and CEO Stephen W. Herbert. “She comes to us with several years of experience helping organizations and people work through difficult issues. On a personal level, she is passionate about helping the elderly and volunteers at a local nursing home.”

Prior to joining Baycrest, Ward was ombudsperson at the University of Toronto for eight years. As Baycrest’s ombudsperson, she plans to create a system that facilitates early identification of issues and interventions to ensure they are managed appropriately.

“There are already systems in place at Baycrest to manage issues,” says Ward. “My role is to intervene when an issue is not resolved through the usual channels.”

“This job can be isolating because in order to be effective I have to remain impartial, which does not leave much room for socialization,” she says. “Nevertheless in the short time that I have been here, I have been welcomed by the organization.”

In her spare time Ward volunteers at a long-term care facility near her home, visiting clients who may not have family and friends close by.

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For more information on this release, please contact:
Kelly Connelly
Senior Media Relations Officer
Baycrest Geriatric Health Care System
p.416.785.2432
kconnelly@baycrest.org