HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2007-03-15, Page 7When it comes to having aCT scanner at the Goderichhospital for residents ofHuron, it’s not a question of
need, but of finance for
county councillors.
Following the presentation
by delegates, councillors
discussed the merits in great
length and for the most part
agreed the purchase was a
good thing for ratepayers.
Where they didn’t quite see
eye to eye was on funding.
Bill Thibert, CEO of
Alexandra Marine and
General Hospital, said that the
total cost of the CT scanner
would be between $2.5
million and $3 million. Of
that, $1.1 million to $1.5
million would be the cost of
the scanner. The retrofit
would be between $750,000
and $1 millionn, while the
maintenance contract fees
would be $500,000.
“We are here today to ask
for a $1 million contribution
towards the purchase,” said
Thibert.
Goderich council has
approved support in the
amount of $1 million. The
remaining funds, said Thibert,
would come from community
donations.
While the campaign
committee is approaching
Goderich council and county
council no overtures have
been made to other municipal
councils, nor are they
planned, said Thibert.
Bluewater and Ashfield-
Colborne--Wawanosh had
requested a presentation
which Thibert said was
appreciated by the committee.
“However, we have no
future municipal
presentations planned or
booked.”
The support of all county
hospitals has been received as
well, he said.
The money would be a one-
time payment, Thibert said,
adding that the $450,000
annual operating fee would be
absorbed by the hospital
budget.
Dr. Don Neal said that
council was being given the
opportunity to make a
significant difference in the
quality of health care for
Huron residents. He
explained that the scanner is a
basic diagnostic tool that aids
in the rapid treatment of
stroke and surgical
conditions. “It is not a
luxury.”
He used specific cases to
underline the benefits of
having a scanner in Goderich,
adding that not having one
makes the practice of
medicine “highly
dysfunctional.”
With stroke victims, he said
rapid diagnosis is essential so
they can be treated with the
“miraculous” clot busting
drug. Having to drive to areas
like London, Stratford or
Walkerton diminishes the
chance for effective
treatment.
“It’s a narrow window that
could save a lifetime of
disability. It’s shameful,” the
physician stated.
While it would seem to be
something the Ministry of
Health should be concerned
with, Neal said, that whilethey don’t deny the need, they“say it’s your problem.”The costs of doing nothingcan be greater, he said, thanthe cost of the equipment.“We can do better and we
must.”
Questioned by Bluewater
councillor Bill Dowson on
how the hospital could candle
the annual $400,000 in their
budget, Thibert said it was a
challenge but they were
confident it could be done.
“It’s such a sizeable amount
for a hospital of your size,”
said Dowson.
Thibert said this was a sign
of the hospital’s commitment
to the purchase. “We feel this
is important enough that we
will find the money.”
Councillor John Bezaire of
Central Huron wondered if
they had received ministry
approval yet for the purchase.
Thibert said no, but they have
submitted their final report.
Bezaire also noted that the
current radiologist, who
travels to a number of
hospitals, is nearing
retirement. “Do you have a
replacement?”
Thibert said they are
following up on leads, and the
need wouldn’t be immediate.
“We’re looking at a nine-
month process from the time
we get Ministry approval.”
Neal added, “In this dayand age there will be zerochance to attract a radiologistwithout a CT scanner.”Councillor Bert Dykstra ofCentral Huron asked if anythought had been given to
user fees. Dr. Neal said that
while this was a reasonable
question, it would be illegal to
charge. “The government
recognizes the unit is
required, but will have
nothing to do with paying for
it. If you want it you have to
do it yourself, but then they
set down the guidelines that
say you can’t charge user
fees.”
Thibert said that as more
CT scanners are coming into
smaller hospitals, “the
rumblings are that the
Ministry is giving
consideration to an operating
fund, but right now we need
to proceed as if we’re not
getting any funding.”
Central Huron councillor
Tim Collyer expressed
frustation that the county was
being asked to pay for
something that seemed to him
to be a provincial and federal
mandate.
“That’s the dilemma I have.
however, if someone comes
to my door, my wife and I
will be making a personal
donation because I don’t
think anyone argues the
merit.”Huron East councillor BillSiemon said that if upper-tiergovernment should befunding this then perhaps itwas time to start pushingthem to do so.
Ashfield-Coborne-
Wawanosh councillor Ben
Van Diepenbeek spoke of a
resident who had suffered a
stroke and was taken from
Goderich hospital, to
Walkerton, then London. “If
the CT scanner had been in
Goderich they could have
gotten the drugs to him
sooner. It hits home when you
know someone where it
would have been an asset for
them to have had this in
Huron County.”
With a CT scanner, Neal
said he envisions the creation
of another stroke centre in
Goderich.
Councillor Dave Johnston
of Bluewater felt that need
outweighed any argument.
“We have to analyze the need.
And the arguments I’ve heard,
I believe we have a need and
will support the request for
funding.”
Dykstra, however, said that
while he didn’t want to
downplay the merits he had
received calls of concern from
ratepayers.
“We struggle to keep our
budgets in line. I think our
council feels it’s not ourmandate to contribute whenmunicipal budgets are aproblem. I’m not in favour,but sure in going door-to-door, if you came to mine, I’llprobably donate.”
Goderch councillor John
Grace took exception to
Dykstra’s arguement saying
that 23 per cent of the patients
at Goderich were from
Central Huron. “I find it hard
to believe that residents of
Central Huron would find it
difficult to support a CT
scanner.
Bezaire defended his
counterpart from Central
Huron saying that the user
numbers are cyclical. “People
from Goderich are being
treated in Clinton. It’s not like
Central Huron residents are
pariahs, that are burdens on
the Goderich system and not
willing to pay. This works
both ways. You can’t only
present one side of the
argument.”
Warden Deb Shewfelt then
asked everyone to remember
this was a county issue not a
municipal one.
Morris-Turnberry
councillor Dorothy Kelly
wondered if there was
any item in the budget that
might be removed for the
scanner.
CAO Larry Adams said that
deliberations are happeningand that there were two publicmeetings coming up. As wellthere should be fundingcoming from the province andthe federal government. Suggesting that council
hold off any decision until
they know more about what
might be coming from upper-
tier government, Adams told
councillors to “keep an open
mind.”
Huron East councillor
Bernie MacLellen who had
spoke against the purchase at
a meeting of his council, said
that he didn’t feel quite the
same way anymore. However,
he did feel that the $1 million
was too high, suggesting
instead that they pay 20 per
cent of the purchase cost. He
made a motion that the county
support the scanner in the
amount of $300,000. This was
seconded by Siemon.
Grace said, “I believe
$300,000 is a start, but I can’t
support a motion that would
only bring $300,000 to the
table for a service to benefit
all the residents of Huron. I
hope a second motion will
follow this.”
Kelly, however, put the
brakes on any further
discussion. “I wonder if we’re
not being premature. Until we
see what’s in the budget.”
The motion was tabled.
THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2007. PAGE 7.County tables motion on CT scanner fund
Morris-Turnberry
councillors unanimously
voted against approving the
draft budget of the Wingham
and Area Fire Board at their
March 6 meeting.
The budget called for
spending of $339,500 on
operating and capital
expenses in 2007, a 52.8 per
cent increase from 2006.
Much of the increase comes
from the need to buy
protective clothing for the
firemen ($34,100) and self-
contained breathing apparatus
($51,000).
Council instructed its
representatives on the
fire board to oppose the
budget.
Meanwhile council also
received a report on the
expanded capacities of the
Brussels Fire Department
which now has a tanker and
pumper and offers first
medical response.
The current fire agreement
requires the municipality to
pay only $1,200 a year to
support the Brussels
department because its
previous lack of a tanker
limited its ability to fight fires
beyond village’s watermain
system.
In a memo to council,
following a Feb. 23 meeting
with Huron East clerk-
administrator Jack
McLaughlin, Marty Bedard,
Huron East fire chief and
Murray McArter, chief of
the Brussels department,
administrator clerk treasurer
Nancy Michie noted the
department might now be
able to offer faster service to
parts of Morris ward than the
Wingham and Blyth
departments.
The Huron East delegation
also asked Morris-Turnberry
to increase its grant.
A fairer share of costs,
the men felt, would be
$16,600.
Council took no action on
the request at their meeting.
M-T rejects proposal to defer farm tax
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Beginning July 12, 2007, there are
new requirements for cattle producers;
slaughterhouses; feed, pet food and
fertilizer manufacturers; waste manage-
ment facilities and others who handle,
transport or dispose of cattle remains.
Everyone involved must be prepared.
Visit www.inspection.gc.ca/bse or call
1-800-442-2342 to learn more.
By Bonnie GroppThe Citizen
FARM SAFETY FACT
Did you know?
((NC) – Hospitalization due to animal-related injuries indicate that horses
(46.5%) and cows (33.0%) are the most significant causes, followed by
incidents involving bulls, calves, steers and others.
Canadian Agricultural Injury Surveillance Program.
– News Canada