Can we save more by leasing less?

Thanks to your input, we have an agenda for the Vancouver All-Staff Forum (ASF) on October 30. We’ll review our People First survey results and we’ll talk about what’s top of mind for you — and that includes answering the question: When will the next shoe drop?

Seats and webcast connections are limited, so register for ASF at CCRS today.

In the meantime, we’re happy to answer more of your questions — and we encourage you to keep those questions coming. Email VancouverAll-StaffForum@vch.ca.

Today’s answered questions

Q. I’m sure you’ve received questions on how much can we save by closing many rented offices and utilizing empty spaces at Heather, Centennial and JPP Pavilions?

A. Reducing our leasing footprint is a priority for all of VCH as it will help us reduce our overhead costs. It’s ongoing work and so far we’ve been quite successful in minimizing our leasing footprint. Lower Mainland Facilities Management and VCH Finance review each and every lease renewal and, where possible, we’ve opted to relocate and/or consolidate leases to reduce costs. Lease consolidation and the relocation of programs to VCH-owned sites take time, however. Current lease commitments and the challenge of inadequate space within our owned sites —requiring funds to address building infrastructure issues, and renovations associated with moves — affect the pace of progress, but they’re not stopping us from thinking ahead.

We’re currently assessing the potential to use all vacant, used and underused VCH spaces. These spaces are “inhabitable” to varying degrees, and the assessment will determine the requirements and costs to bring these spaces to an acceptable standard for occupancy and measure these factors against alternate solutions. This assessment will be completed by the spring of 2014.

Q. Just wondering why people are still allowed to smoke in front of the VGH 12th Ave. entrance near Cafe Ami?   Last month when I used that entrance there were so many cigarette butts lying around and lots of people smoking. I was really upset of having to walk through the smoke haze.

A.  You’re not alone. More than 96 per cent of VCH staff surveyed in February 2013 said they support our smoke-free premises policy. Smoking is prohibited in or on all VCH owned and/or operated premises, facilities and grounds, and we’ve made progress in reducing smoking at VGH since the launch of our smoke-free campaign in November 2012. However, the area in front of Café Ami remains a hot spot for smoking, and we’re working on increasing compliance in this area.

This fall we installed a smoke detector outside Café Ami. Walkabouts by pairs of directors and HR advisors help reinforce compliance and people are reminded to move off property to smoke. Aramark is also working hard to clean up the cigarette butts and keep our property clean.

Our aim is to increase compliance with our smoke-free premises policy — nothing short of 100% compliance will do — but we recognize that our efforts are a work in progress. To achieve our goal, we need everyone’s support and we’ll continue to work together with our partners — Aramark, Patient Transport, Security, HSSBC and staff — to keep our grounds smoke-free.

We encourage all staff to speak up and provide suggestions in helping us create a smoke-free environment. Email VCH’s Regional Tobacco Reduction Program at: smokefree@vch.ca. To learn more about smoke-free premises policy and smoking cessation support, refer to the FAQs on VCH Connect.

Q. I would like to ask if there was some way we could encourage staff at VGH who smoke to use a designated smoking area. There is cigarette smoke from people smoking under the VGH front entrance garage overpass on W. 12th and also along the W. 12th bushes.  It is bothersome to non-smokers walking on West 12th to and from the hospital.

A.  Prior to 2008, VGH had designated smoking areas (DSAs). These were removed when VCH and all B.C. health authorities went smoke-free. We adopted our smoke-free premises policy in 2008 for many important reasons:

• There is no safe level of second-hand smoke:  According to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, all outdoor public places where tobacco smoke is a health hazard should be 100 per cent smoke-free. DSAs are sources of second-hand smoke because this carcinogenic smoke spreads widely both vertically and horizontally. The dispersion of smoke is hazardous to all wherever the smoke disperses. Moreover, there are additional health concerns, such as occupational health issues for cleaners of DSAs who would be exposed to second-hand smoke.

• Smoking bans work: Smoking bans in public places are recognized as the most effective means for reducing exposure to second-hand smoke; they have been shown to decrease tobacco consumption, reduce serious health-related hospital admissions, increase quit attempts, lengthen the time between relapse and boost quit rates. DSAs, on the other hand, contribute to the social acceptability of smoking.

• It’s the law: VCH’s smoke-free policy complies with the law, including the B.C. Tobacco Control Act, municipal bylaws and WorkSafeBC regulations.

As a health authority, and as a place of healing at VGH, our aim is to reduce the social acceptability of smoking and de-normalize tobacco use. We have a comprehensive campaign at VGH that includes awareness-raising, education and enforcement. VGH directors and HR advisors conduct daily walkabouts to inform smoking staff, patients and visitors of smoking-cessation supports and to encourage them to smoke off VCH property. By increasing compliance with our policy we’ll decrease exposure to second-hand smoke significantly and set a healthy example for the communities we live and work in. To learn more about smoke-free premises policy and smoking cessation support, refer to the FAQs on VCH Connect.

Q. I usually have my breaks in the Sassafras and have noted “five” large flatscreen TVs that were installed there 18 months ago. Perhaps one or two were turned on a year ago for a short period, others have never been plugged in and their sales tags are still on. I’m not sure of the desired purpose of these monitors, but I’m thinking if these are not to be used perhaps they could be redeployed to patient care areas where they would be really appreciated (i.e. ICU or CSICU)?

A.  The TVs located in Sassafras, the VGH cafeteria, were donated to VCH by a vendor and are available for “adoption”. Other TVs donated by the same vendor have been redeployed within VGH for the purposes of patient education and/or entertainment. If your unit is interested in these flatscreen TVs to serve patients and families, please contact Laurie Dawkins, director, corporate communications.*

*Since publication of the above answer, all TVs in Sassafras have been adopted on a first-come, first-serve basis. The proud new parents are:

• Pender CHC – 1
• ICU – 2
• Cath Lab – 1
• Cardiac Services (Patient Education Program) – 1