HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2011-03-10, Page 11THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2011. PAGE 11.
Be involved and have your say.
The Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance is seeking
feedback from community residents on a proposed
Patient Declaration of Values. These values will be a
driving force behind the quality of care patients can
expect to receive from our organization.
As a part of the Excellent Care for All Act (ECFAA),
which ensures Ontarians receive healthcare of the
highest quality possible, hospitals across Ontario are
required to develop, with public consultation, a Patient Declaration of Values.
As outlined by the ECFAA, these values will ensure hospitals put patients first
and support patient-centred care by clearly stating what Ontarians can expect
when receiving healthcare services.
We invite you to review the Draft Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance Patient
Declaration of Values below and provide feedback in one of the following
ways:
Mailing Address:
Stratford General Hospital Site, Attn: Lindsay McGee
46 General Hospital Drive
Stratford, ON N5A 2Y6
Phone: 519-482-3447 Ext. 6290
Fax: 519-271-7137
Email: lindsay.mcgee@hpha. ca
All feedback will be reviewed and considered until April 1, 2011.The final
version of the Patient Declaration of Values will be available on our website in
June 2011.
Patient Declaration of Values for the Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance
DRAFT
I believe I have a right to the best care the organization can deliver.
As a patient or client, I value that...
...I have access to the care I need when I need it.
...I am provided with safe, high quality, evidence-based care and services by
qualified, competent, highly skilled health professionals that focus on my
whole being — mind, body and spirit.
...my family and I are treated with respect, fairness and compassion.
...I can actively be a part of my health care, including asking questions,
accessing my personal health information, making decisions and
understanding the role I play in my own care.
...I am given reliable, current information about my healthcare condition,
including proposed courses of care as well as options so that I can make
informed decisions.
...my confidentiality and privacy are respected.
...there is a way for me to express my opinions about my healthcare experience
Clinton Public Hospital
St. Marys Memorial Hospital
Seaforth Community Hospital
Stratford General Hospital
Well said
The Brussels Legion played host to its annual public speaking competition on March 2 with
six participants in the Primary division. From left: Youth Chair, Nanci Ducharme; Tommy
Warner of Brussels Public School, third place; Myles Johnston of Brussels Public School,
third place; John Nesbit of Brussels Public School, second place; Abby Strome of Grey
Central Public School, first place; Emma Silcock of Grey Central Public School, third place;
Cole Terpstra of Grey Central Public School, third place and Legion President, John Lowe.
(Shawn Loughlin photo)
They said it!
The Brussels Legion hosted its annual public speaking competition on March 2 with three
participants in the Junior division. From left: Youth Chair, Nanci Ducharme; Alida Swart of
Grey Central Public School, third place; Sarah Strome of Grey Central Public School, second
place; Emily Terpstra of Grey Central Public School, first place and Legion President, John
Lowe. (Shawn Loughlin photo)
Great job
Four Intermediate division students competed in the Brussels Legion’s annual public
speaking competition on March 3. From left: Youth Chair, Nanci Ducharme; Emma Strome of
Grey Central Public School, third place; Alison Terpstra of Grey Central Public School, first
place; Lexi Smith of Grey Central Public School, second place; Caitlin Scarrow of Brussels
Public School, third place and Legion President John Lowe. (Shawn Loughlin photo)
History and simplicitydebated by CH councilAt Central Huron Council’sMonday night meeting, CouncillorBrian Barnim raised the issue of the
municipality being governed by a
mayor as opposed to a reeve.
“There’s a lot of confusion out
there about a reeve versus a mayor,”
Barnim said. “After 10 years I think
it’s time we consider changing that.”
Reeve Jim Ginn agreed, saying
that when he was on the campaign
trail, he found that many people
aren’t quite sure what a reeve is and
what the difference between a reeve
and a mayor is.
Barnim cited similar experiences
while he was campaigning, saying
that he was often asked who was
running for mayor. Upon informing
the ratepayer that Central Huron
doesn’t have a mayor, it has a reeve,
a discussion would ultimately ensue
about the differences between the
two positions.
“I grew up in a rural municipality,
so I know what a reeve is,” Barnim
said. “But very few of them exist
any more.”
Historically in Canada a reeve
was the term used for the elected
head of a small village, township or
rural municipality, performing the
same functions as a mayor of a
larger town or city. However many
smaller municipalities went to
mayor around amalgamation or
even earlier as their jurisdictions
grew.
Ginn said that since he was
elected as reeve last year, the
majority of the correspondence he
has received has been addressed to
the municipality’s “mayor”.
Councillor Alison Lobb said that
she likes the history in which themunicipality is steeped and likes thefact that Central Huron has a reeve
as opposed to a mayor. That being
her opinion, she later stated that as
far as her political standpoint is
concerned, she really didn’t care
one way or the other.
“I like the fact that we’re a little
bit different,” Lobb said.
Lobb also said that as far as
transparency is concerned, if the
municipality was going to keep a
reeve, there should be an effort to
educate ratepayers as to what a
reeve actually is.
Deputy-Reeve Dave Jewitt,
however, agreed with Barnim
(surprising even himself) saying that
he is constantly questioned about
the reeve position and how it differs
from a mayoral position.
However, Jewitt said, it is also
part of the municipality’s historical
identity, so he wasn’t sure what side
of the fence he came down on.
Ginn instructed Chief
Administrative Officer Kevin
McLlwain to investigate the process
of changing over from a reeve to a
mayor and bring the information
back to a subsequent Committee of
the Whole meeting.
McLlwain said that if council did
wish to make that change, now
would be an ideal time to do it as the
municipality is currently in the final
stages of the boundary adjustment
with Goderich.
“Just look into it, see how
cumbersome of a process it is,”
Ginn instructed.
“It will be a process,” McLlwain
responded.