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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2009-05-14, Page 20In light of a national shortage ofhealthcare professionals and agrowing retirement versus recruitment problem in the health field, the Listowel Wingham Hospitals Alliance held an informational meeting about its future. Canadian healthcare, specifically rural Ontarian healthcare, is entering “challenging times” says Wingham and District Hospital board chair Rob Hutchinson. While the hospital hasn’t been faced with the possibility of a closure yet, the hours reduction at Seaforth hospital’s emergency department has the people of Huron County timid when discussing the future of any of the area’s hospitals. Hutchinson said the whole province is entering “a perfect storm” in the healthcare field that will work against, and not for, regional healthcare. The factors involved in this perfect storm are the aging baby boomers who will need increased healthcare in coming years, as well as the rate of retiring healthcare professionals far exceeding the rate of new recruits. Hutchinson said there are many things the alliance will have to do to remain relevant and ahead of the curve to ensure a bright future for both of the area’s hospitals. Hutchinson said specialization, which is already underway, will be one of the keys. Specializing services at each of the sites will increase specific demand for each specific department and reduce redundancy. In addition to specialization, thealliance will have to stay ahead ofthe curve as far as technology isconcerned, Hutchinson said.One place to start, he said, is bymaking the alliance a more visible entity in the community, which is why a new logo has been designed. In the coming months, Hutchinson said, the new logo will replace the old one on all the alliance’s materials, in addition to the alliance, with its new logo, being a larger presence in both communities. The new logo is comprised of the traditional healthcare cross, split with two different colours, representing the two hospitals. Hutchinson says the logo will demonstrate “two specific sites as parts of a fully-integrated hospital.” When asked about the new logo, some members of the public were concerned about the cost of the new logo’s design and the cost to change everything over to incorporate the new logo. Hutchinson assured everyone that the decision was “not unanimous,” but that the majority of the voters felt that the change was worth the investment, despite current financial concerns. Alliance CEO Margret Comack spoke about the international shortage of healthcare professionals, specifically for the alliance’s two hospitals. She said the Local Health Integrated Network (LHIN) has been offering assistance and the alliance has also participated in Healthfree Ontario to assist in recruiting. However, she said, looking at the big picture, the alliance does not participate in poaching, which would leave another area without a doctor where Wingham and Listowel would gain one. In addition, she saidthe recruitment market is a toughone, with city centres being able tooffer bigger bonuses and incentives,luring doctors to cities, as opposedto rural Ontario. The alliance, however, is attempting to get in on the ground level, working on a licensed practical nurse (LPN) program with Georgian College. Another problem the alliance is working hard to address is the amount of Canadian medical students being educated abroad and wanting to return to Canada upon graduation. When Canadian students study abroad, while they remain Canadian citizens, in terms of healthcare officials, they are now lumped in with international professionals, which Ontario has had problems importing due to the province’s very high standards for healthcare. This is an ongoing process throughout the province, Comack said. She said that she doesn’t predict any closures, since the alliance is still turning a profit at both sites, which in these times is “amazing.” But, she added, couldn’t promise anything. “We want to make sure our decisions are made by all of our healthcare providers along with public forums. That way, decisions are made with everyone’s input,” she said. “We don’t want to have a knee- jerk motion here, however, the pressures are very real.” Comack also addressed the planned renovations to Wingham and District Hospital. She said that the plan is to renovate the hospital completely in four different phases. However, she said, the next phasehas been delayed due to thechangeover in government. But thatthere have been lengthy discussionswith Huron-Bruce MPP Carol Mitchell about getting the project upand running again.The second of the alliance’s twomeetings was held on Tuesday inListowel.PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2009.Hospital Alliance holds information meeting Character building The Brussels Public School students continue their ‘action’ plan for building character. A special evening was held May 4 to share great character building strategies as part of the Spring Into Action program. In addition to performances by the primary grades (Joanna Kipfer, left, and Amanda Morrison show the power of a hug) there were messages from Brent Kipfer, a local pastor, detailed ideas on how parents can best equip their children to make good ethical decisions, Jacob McGavin, student and founder of Kids Care offered inspiration on how one person can make a difference. (Bonnie Gropp photo) ❀❀ Auburn Co-op ❀❀ 519-526-7262 ❀❀ Belgrave Co-op ❀❀ 519-357-2711 1-800-267-2667 Receive a boxed plant with a minimum $10. purchase May 15th, 16th & 18th Hanging Baskets Buy 2 or more and SAVE $$$ 3x5 Flags $299 While supplies last Perennials 4/$1000 Don’t Miss Our Annual Hot Dog Day Sat., May 16th 10 am - 2 pm Come out and support your local kids! Save up to 70%off on selected Garden Centre items Enter our Garden Contest Open Holiday Monday ’til 4:00 By Shawn LoughlinThe Citizen