The Brussels Post, 1979-03-21, Page 3eric
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Conestoga College
of Applied Nts and Technology
CONTINUING EDUCATION
CLINTON CAMPUS
Classes are now being held at' the Clinton Campus of Conestoga
College in the following subjects:
Home Study (Mathematics Et English)
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
There is still room available in these classes. For fruther information
and for registration, please telephone 482-3458 or visit our Clinton
Campus at Vanastra Road, Clinton, Ontario between 7:00 p.m. and
9:00 p.m., Monday and Tuesday.
Conestoga College
of Applied Arts
and Technology
WeVegota lot to share.
THE BRUSSELS POST, MARCH 21, 1979 — 3
Wingham hospital fights .
The area served
by Wingham's
hospital
COROP
BY HENRY HESS
Wingham and District. Hospital has
decided it will not submit to the closure of
beds ordered by the provincial health
ministry, Instead it will join forces with the
citizens' committee formed to fight the
cutbacks in , attempting to convince Health
Minister Dennis Timbrell to reconsider his
stand.
In the meantime the hospital will continue
to operate at its full 100 bed capacity and no
staff will be laid off, even if this means
running into the red by the end of the year.
At a special meeting last Wednesday
night the hospital board of governors,
spurred by pressure from a public meeting
held the previous night, voted unanimously
to fight by any means at its disposal the
closure of even a single bed. (six members of
the 17 member board were absent from the
meeting.)
The board elected five from its ranks to sit
down with the citizens' group and help
'prepare a brief to the health minister as the
next step in the campaign to save the beds.
The motion opposing the bed closures was
put forward by Dr. R.D. Wilkins, president
of the medical staff, who vigourously argued
the case for meeting the cutbacks head-on.
This is a community hospital financed
originally on a private basis, he pointed out.
When the government took over the funding
of health care it contracted with the board for
supply of medical services.
The hospital has kept up its end of the
agreement splendidly, he declared, pointing
to its recent three-year accreditation as a
"blue ribbon of excellence". It has
consistently operated under budget and has
more than met all other health care
guidelines.
"We have kept the bargain and now the
government it trying to sever it
unilaterally," he charged.
He urged the board not to give up on the
idea of haulinig the. government into court
over the bed 'issue, although it had been
reported the previous night that hospital
solicitor Jack Goodall doesn't think the
board has a legal case for an injunction to
halt the cuts. It was noted the board could
consult experts in this field, such as, the
lawyers who successfuly defended a number
of hospitals faced with closure several years
ago.
Dr.R.B. Treleaven asked what will
happen if the hospital runs out of money by
continuing to operate full scale in the face of
budget restrictions, but the board decided to
cross the bridge when it comes to it.
"That's not the point," Dr. Wilkins told
him. "We want the government to change
its mind."
Unless the minister can be persuaded to,
revoke the penalty clause which deducted
$12,000 from the hospital budget for each of
the 14 beds declared surplus this year, the
board will face a deficit in the
neighbourhood of $150,000 by the end of the
year, Executive Director Norman Hayes
warned.
However he promised to run the hospital
as efficiently as possible and keep the board
posted on the deficit as it develops. The new
budget goes into effect April 1, at which time
the hospital was to have closed 14 acive
treatment beds and cut back on staff.
Mr. Hayes also poiAte& out to the
members that the board is legally re-
sponsible for the hospital--including any
deficit that develops. No one appeared
intimidated by the prospect and Dr. Wilkins,
'after joking that he was just shaking in his
shoes and that they could put the board all in
the same cell, observed: "If any govern-
ment locks up this board, God help them!"
The board action appears to have sparked
by the overwhelming show of public support
for the hospital at a citizens' meeting held
the previous night. Nearly 300 people from
the town and surrounding communities
crowded into the auditorium at the Winghani
Public School where a panel composed of
Mr. Hayes, Dr. Wilkins, former hospital
administrator Mrs. I.E. Morrie,. hospital
auxiliary President Mary Vair and Sandi
Deslauriers speaking for Dr. Doug Mowbray,
outlined the situation at the hospital and
fielded questions.
Sentiment at the meeting was
overwhelmingly, in favor of opposing any
attempt to cut back facilities at the hospital
and board members who attended this
meeting carried the message back to the
board.
At the public meeting citizens were urged
to write personal letters to the health
minister supporting the hospital and
opposing the bed cuts and about 120 people
stayed after the meeting to do so. People
were also invited to contribute toward the
expenses of the anti-cutbacks campaign and
by the end of the night well over $100 had'
been deposited in a container placed at the
rear of the auditorium.
You are invited to attend
Huron County Board of Education
KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION
WALTON PUBLIC SCHOOL
March 29, 1979
1:30 to 4:30
Children born in 1974 are eligible. Any
inquirers may be referred to the school
887-6219. Please bring Birth Certificate
and any Health Records.
Crop Et
Fertilizer Meeting
March 28
Blyth Community Centre
beginning at 10:30 a.m. and ending at 3:30 p.m.
Organized by the Belgrave and Auburn Co-op
On the agenda are:
- Insect Control in Corn - JEFF HURST
- Economics of Fertilizer Use - JOHN CUMMINGS
- Weed Sprayer - Improper Use Can Cost You Money PAT LYNCH,
0.M.A.F.
- Safe Placement of Fertilizer re Seed or Seedling Burn - JOHN
CUMMINGS
- Update on Chemicals - PAT LYNCH
The noon meal will be free of charge so come out and join us for a
very informative and enjoyable meeting.
Would you kindly advise us if you will be attending in order that
the proper number of meals will be arranged. Please feel free to
bring a neighbour. Phone Belgrave 357-2711 or 887-6453.
Belgrave Branch
Belgrave, Ontario
Wingham 357.2711 " Brussels 887-6453
11.011=C11 um-reD CO-OPERAT1VES OF ONTARIO'