Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1993-04-21, Page 8Page 8 — Lucknow Sentinel, Wednesday, April 21, 1993 DHC will have many options to consider: Carroll •from page 3 The committee will have many options to look at and consider, he continued, and during this time they will also be dealing with much change - in the health care system, in DHCs themselves and in the budgetary implications for health care. "Your job first and foremost is to learn about the health care system," he stated, by Milting to all in the community, including health care providers and consumers. The committee members also received some advice on com- munication from advisory board member Shirley Keller, general manager of the Goderich Signal - Star. Keller explained the importance' of avoiding jargon, because jargon blocks communication, and keeping the message simple and to the point, as the committee will be sharing much information with the public. ' "Getting the ear of the general public...is really a very big job," she stated. Time line Carroll envisions having a recom- mendation for the Ministry of Health, either for or against a DHC for the area, by the end of June. He admits this is a tight time line, but noted that such a deadline could be met because three things will be happening simultaneously within the group involved over the next three months. , For one, they will be m the infor- mation and education phase, while educating the community and other groups, and while that is ongoing, they will be receiving input from surveys, public hearings and those who address the committee. As the 18 -member committee is going through these first two steps, Car- roll noted that at the same time they will be making up their mind on which option to follow. "As they go through it, their focus will change," he stated. And although he has set June as his deadline, he informed the com- mittee at the meeting that the time they choose to take is really in their hands. In an interview following the meeting, the chair noted that he has heard murmurings from some that the DHC is already a reality, and will definitely go ahead after the committee's deliberations. He refuted this, noting that 18 people, many of whom hadn't met before last week, will be making the decision. "It is far from a done deal," he said, adding that he believes there are some on the committee who are neutral to the idea of forming a DHC, while others are against it. Doctors' viewpoint Two local ' members of the medical profession, Dr. Ken Rod-`' ney and Dr. Kenton Lambert, made presentations to the board, voicing ,their approval for the current deliberations on the DHC and giving some warnings of what the committee might see ahead. Dr. Rodney noted that over the years, all five hospitals in the coun- ty have increased in their physical size and capacity to provide ser- vices, and while each hospital has responded to the needs of their communities, they have paid little attention to the county as a whole and what services are being offered elsewhere. "In some cases there has been competition for funding," he stated, noting that there has been a lack of regional planning. He added the hope that the present deliberations will bring the hospitals closer together. If or when it is decided to go with a DHC, he said he would feel better being affiliated with Perth County. "It would be a more shared relationship then with, say, Thames Valley," he said. Dr. Rodney also added the hope that if the DHC comes into place, it will not become just another part of the bureaucracy, but will be used to improve health care in the area. If Huron County joins the province -wide group of DHCs, he stated, "let's not respond as if we're getting on the bandwagon...but use it as a tool to improve Huron Coun- ty health care." Dr. Lambert briefly outlined the history of ttie Canadian Medical Association and the Ontario Medication Association, along with This spring come to Thompsons for your complete crop system.... 4r,s�I BE EFFICIENT - Our Agronomic/Marketing service will help you plan your strategy. B E AWARE - of the re ingdients you need to ensure high yields - Micro -nutrients, Fertilizer, Crop Protection Products and soil testing are all available at Thompsons BE CONFIDENT - Hyland Brand Certified Seed has been tested throughout North America and Europe to depsure high yields, standability, proper maturity and reliable grain quality. A full line of corn, soybeans, white beans, wheat, barley, oats and forages are available from Hyland. E-ADY--save-time-by u~;ing our Custom— Application service. We have Tru -spread, air flow or liquid spreaders. Our Weed and Feed program is available for pre -plant or post plant application. 1 lave your herbicides and nitrogen applied in one trip over the field. Also we have 5 and 8 tonne dry spreaders, split applicators and delivery equipment for rent. Call yqur nearest branch of W.G. Thompson & Sons Ltd. Seaforth Hensall Mitchell Ailsa Craig Granton Pt. Albers 345-2545 262-2527 348-8433 293-3223 225-2360 529-7901 his time spent in the medical profession. Discussing advances in medical technology and the related costs, he noted that it doesn't seem reasonable to spend, for example, $15,000 on a piece of equipment at two hospitals, when its duties could be shared from one facility. At one time, he said, he circulated a proposal to have one central Huron County hospital, and he sent this along to then Minister of Health Frank Miller. Miller said he agreed with the proposal, but such a move could not be taken because of all the local interests. He warned the committee 'that they would be running into similar prejudices in their ' studies, and stated, "You are going to have to make a firm commitment to put your money where it will do the most good." Next meeting The topic for the next meeting of the steering committee, to be held on April 28 at 7:30 p.m. in the Clinton Town Hall, will be the theory and practice of DHCs. Dort Stuart from the Ministry of Health will discuss the theory. of DHCs and how they are supposed to work, while Paul Huras from the Thames Valley DHC and Karen Levenick of the Grey -Bruce DHC will talk about how their DHCs operate. The public is invited to attend the meetings, and Carroll promised to have a microphone on hand for the next meeting as some in the audience last Wednesday complained of not being able to hear the speakers. Convention costs not cheap •from page 3 were filled uncontended, with Goderich's Tom Jasper retaining the president's position. A delegate selection meeting will take place in Wingham on May 6. Six Huron -Bruce delegates can attend the convention in Ottawa to inel-=-- __ J Birthday Club Kyle Maize April 21, 1991 2 Years Old Ben Sloetjes April 21, 1989 4 Years OId Krista Rae Sanderson April 22, 1991 2 Years Old Alexis Moran April 22, 1991 2 Years OId Brett Van Osch April 22, 1992 1 Year OId Shea Hamilton April 23, 1986 7 Years OId Kayla Howard April 24, 1989 4 Years Old Sean Berry 1pril_24,. 1990 3 Years OId Kent Van Osch April 25, 1991 2 Years OId Conor McDonagh April 26, 1981 12 Years OId Vicky Murray April 27, 1987 6 Years OId Kevin Farrish Sherwood Park, Alta. April 27, 1990 3 Years Old Brian Goetz April 26, 1985 8 Years Old elect a new leader, two of which must be women and two of which must be men; plus the association president. Three youth delegates are also. selected. The venture is not a cheap one. It will cost $595 per adult delegate and $350 per youth not including transportation, accommodation or food. The constituency association has agreed to pick up the registration fee. In .order to vote in the delegate selection process, one must be a member of the Huron -Bruce PC Association by Apr. 17. Nominations will be accepted at the selection meeting. As for the issues, Mr. Cardiff touched on some of the concerns facing the government at present. He told the audience GATT could be settled by the end of the year. With a recent France election, he said the European community seems to be more willing to negotiate. "It's not agricultural products that are holding it up." In addition, he said he expects to see the North American Free Trade Agreement go through. He said he hopes the deal will raise the Mexican economy and enhance their trading viability. Presentation Mr. Cardiff also used the oppor- tunity to preset Elmer Bell, now an., Exeter resident, with a Canada 125 medal. "Elmer has been a great friend to all of us, and made a great contribution to our lives," he said in making the presentation. Mr. Bell is a former lawyer, once practicing in Brussels, a World War II veteran—and—once—served—as an Ontario Police Commissioner. "He has served his country, province and community with great distinction," Mr. Cardiff added. Must stop digging hole says Lobb •from page 3 all provinces' and people need to be equal. With a 'debt hole' of $450 bil- lion, "the first thing we have to do is stop digging." He added that this has jeopardized Canada's social programs, roads and education. We want to see a new breed of politicians to eliminate these problems. He said Reform Party leader Preston Manning has introduced a plan to eliminate the annual deficit in three years. Mr. Lobb said Canadians must work to keep Canada strong to pass on to the next generation, "You can only retain a democracy if you participate yourselves."