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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1993-03-31, Page 25KEN PENNINGTON'S Orl KJ° Music for all occasions. D. J. SERVICE CALL (519) 887-6069 DUNBAR & COOK ELECTRIC LTD. Home, Farm & Commercial Wiring Wireless Home Security Systems DON PAUL 526-7505 357-1537 Caldwell" Construction • residential & agricultural structures • framing • siding - drywall • roofing & trim Estimates & Prints R.R. # 3 Blyth 523-9354 Bill Shortreed Electric FARM HOME COMMERCIAL Over 18 Years Experience R.R. #1, Walton 887-9387 Brian McKnight Upholstery -FREE ESTIMATES WITH NO OBLIGATION -QUALITY WORKMANSHIP -REASONABLE RATES •FREE PICK-UP & DELIVERY BRUSSELS 887-6453 Make bedtime story time. ABC CANADA THE FOUNDATION TO PROMOTE LITERACY IN CANADA. Distribution of this message was made possible by the Canadian Advertising Foundaton. DOPP114 IFORGET '3.00 THURSDAY VE ON YOUR CLASSIFIED AD THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, 1993. PAGE 25. Many at meeting express positiveness for DHC Opportunity for input Interested individuals and members of the health care services industry were present at a meeting in Brussels United Church on March 23 to learn about the formation of a District Health Council and provide input. Chair of the DHC Steering Committee, Paul Carroll, centre, updated the group on what has been happening with the issue to date. By Bonnie Gropp The role of a District Health Council (DHC) will ensure that ser- vices in our rural communities are community driven. This was just one of the opinions heard at an information meeting regarding health care planning in Brussels on Tuesday, March 23. A small crowd of 20 people, comprised of medical professionals and lay persons, was present in the United Church basement to hear Paul Carroll, chair of the Huron County DHC Steering Committee, discuss concerns and provide input. Mr. Carroll, who was appointed to steer the process through to the decision of whether or not the county should have a DHC, said the position has proven to be a challenging and sometimes contro- versial one. DHC's are comprised of volun- teers representing health care providers, local governments and consumers. They plan healthcare services for the communities on an integrated basis. Originating in the 1970s, the topic has been disputed on three separate occasions in Huron, however Mr. Carroll says he suspects that since the initiative to form a DHC has come this time from the county the issues may be discussed more rationally than in the past. In previous years the formation of one has been opposed for several reasons. It was suggested that the current approach, with each hospi- tal, each health agency, the county board of health setting independent directions was working well. Linda Knight of Community Nursing Ser- vices said it was her understanding that during the early talks adminis- tration opposed it as they felt they would lose autonomy. Mr. Carroll said consolidation and co-ordina- tion mean cutting back, and while this may mean the loss of autono- my, it is important to find what best serves the patients' needs. Others see the DHC as an excuse to let the province off the hook when it comes to tough decisions. The cost of establishing a DHC was a concern; the estimated cost of a DHC for Huron-Perth is $250,000, said Mr. Carroll. As well many feel it may be just another layer of an already over- governed society. Jeanne Kirkby of the Walton area expressed this concern to Mr. Car- roll. She asked whether streamlin- ing the services provided would not be a better solution."It seems this would cut costs rather than add a layer of bureaucracy. " Mr. Carroll said planning and co- ordination is a function that is beginning to emerge in talks with people about DHC's. "It is also a method of getting to the grassroots voice," he said. Having a voice is one of the arguments for a DHC. Presently Perth and Huron Counties are the only ones in Ontario not represent- ed at the province level. Those in favour of a DHC want a direct say in what priorities are being addressed and how the funds are divided, said Mr. Carroll. Some of the issues currently being discussed with the Ministry are: planning for children's and women's health ser- vices, multi-year planning for the mental health system in Southwest- ern Ontario, geriatric medical care needs, strategic planning for regional cancer care and emergency care services. With his appointment to the steering committee, Mr. Car- roll has become the non-voting rep- resentative at the decision making table. Due to the structure of DI-IC's, which require a population base of at least 100,000, should Huron decide to form a DHC they would need to amalgamate with Perth or with a neighbouring existing DHC. Mr. Carroll said should this hap- pen, there would be terms and con- ditions to the amalgamations with the likelihood the two steering committees would meet to negoti- ate. Bev Brown of Brussels, who along with social worker Barb Bar- ton-McMillan organized the meet- ing, said she felt any concerns over amalgamating with Perth were due to the fear of being overshadowed by the needs of Stratford General Hospital. Mr. Carroll said while he originally shared those feelings anything he has seen thus far is of "big brother looking after the hin- terland which is beginning to tem- per my concerns." Turnberry Reeve Brian McBur- ney said he is "a little leery of any- thing Toronto tries to shove at us. I see it as bringing their views to us." "That is one of the dilemmas," said Mr. Carroll. "The bottom line, though, is do we want the right to determine what's given to us in the period of declining resources?" Emily Phillips of RR2, Blyth, president of the Ontario Nurses Association said, "I have a fear if we don't get a DHC on our own they will pick one for us. I believe it is better to have a DHC that I had input into, rather than one appoint- ed and placed here. It is better to be on the leading edge." Reflexologist Carmen Ives ag- reed. "It is time to work together. If we don't get on that wagon, they'll put us on any wagon that goes by." Mr. Carroll said this meeting was one of a first for the steering com- mittee to become informed and learn about the questions which need to be answered. The Huron County Community Services Net- work has arranged a series of com- munity focus groups through April. The first meeting of the Steering Committee will be held on April 14 at the Clinton Town Hall com- mencing at 7:30 p.m. The structure of the 18 member committee will be announced at that time. There will be four local government rep- resentatives, seven persons from the health provider group and seven consumer representatives. The committee will be supported by a resource team comprised of a seven person advisory board, a number of community resource persons and five persons from the Huron Coun- ty Community Services Network. Mr. Carroll said while he knows there will be some dissatisfaction with the selections, he has tried to the best of his ability to see repre- sentation is fair. "There may not be someone from every sector but everyone should have a voice." Public forum meetings will be held at the same place and location on each second and fourth Wednes- day of the month until the end of June. These are in addition to the public hearings to be held through- out the county. The plan will then be formulated to the Ministry of Health. If the committee chooses to say no, that ends the mandate. Other- wise they will recommend a struc- ture to meet the population base criteria. Ms Ives said she thinks it should be looked at as a challenge. "We have control over what happens ahead of us. Let's get involved." Mr. Carroll said should the com- mittee say no to a DHC he hopes they look at how the regional issues should be addressed and "find a constructive approach so our voice is heard." GOODS SERVICES TRADES .44A41,---1•1216:g01472L Zrat.