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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1996-07-03, Page 6The perfect gift With Canada Day on its way and a community celebrating its 140th anniversary, the Canadian flag was the perfect gift to present Grey Twp. Reeve Leona Armstrong. MP Paul Steckle was on hand for the opening ceremony of the anniversary celebrations. The event was also to dedicated the new pavilion and restrooms at the Ethel ball park. Behind the politicians is chairman Bob Cunningham. Saturday, July 20 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. BLYTH AND DISTRICT COMMUNITY CENTRE Admission: Adults, $2, Children $1, Families $5 • Free food samples •Free recipes •Cooking demonstrations • Gourmet barbecue Featuring— Beef, Pork, Turkey, Wild Boar Appetizers, Salads, Desserts Barbecue tickets $12 (includes admission to Food Fair) Reservations only Coil 523-4792 By Margaret Stapleton The proposed Wingham medical clinic and efforts being made to recruit doctors to town were the main topics of discussion at the annual meeting of the hospital board of governors held June 20. In her inaugural remarks, Noreen Gnay, board chairman, said providing health care is not easy in what she called the "turbulent times" of government cutbacks and changes in the delivery of services. In a report of the resource committee, Bob Pike said the hospital's funds have been frozen and will indeed start to decline. With the level of paticru activity declining, "We (the board) are having to consider things we never had to consider before." What that means, he added, is finding a way to increase the number of patients served or restructure to reduce costs. One way the hospital hopes to reverse the trend of declining activity is through the establishment of a medical clinic to provide an opportunity for existing physicians and to attract new physicians to town, said Pike. Negotiations between the doctors and a developer did not work out, Pike added, which is why the hospital is committed to establishing a clinic. Art Clark of Wingham asked if all avenues have been exhausted to involve private enterprise in the construction and operation of a clinic. Pike replied that the details of the clinic project have not yet been hammered out, saying the details are still very much up for discussion. However, he said, it probably will involve some sort of community fundraising drive. Andy McBride of Wingham claimed the hospital could rent 8,500 square feet of space for a clinic, with the rent being paid by interest received on $1.9 million the hospital currently has in term deposits. Pike said whatever option is arrived upon will be done in the best interest of the hospital and the community. RECRUITMENT Another topic of interest was the recruitment of new physicians to town. It has been announced that Dr. Greg Antoniadis will take over the practice of Dr. Peter Long on Aug. 1. However, the hospital still hopes to attract at least two more physicians, preferably one of whom w be a woman with experience in ostetrics and gynecology. n answer to a question from Mc ride about what is being done to attract physicians to Wingham, Lloyd Koch, hospital executive director, said a recruiting firm has been engaged to spearhead the search. As well, on the local level, a recruiting committee made up of representatives from the hospital, the municipality and business has been formed. It also was asked what will happen to doctors' offices currently operating in Lucknow and Teeswater if a group practice is formed and a Wingham clinic opened. Koch replied that while the doctors have agreed to look at forming a group practice, it has not yet been formed. "Coverage in the surrounding area is strategically important," Koch said, but added that the Wingham clinic could be of assistance with resource booking, billing and vacation coverage. McBride said using a recruiting firm to get doctors to come and practise locally seems "impersonal". He asked what other methods are being used to attract doctors to town. Arnold Taylor, who represents town council on the recruiting committee, said he Las written six physicians in the last three weeks, asking them to consider coming to Wingham. Gnay said she also has written to doctors, adding that "word-of-mouth' is an effective way to make contact. It was suggested the hospital could make use of the Internet and world-wide web to attract physicians. "We're open to all suggestions," said Gnay. FOUNDATION A question was asked about the Continued on page 7 PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 1996 Medical Clinic, topic of hosp. bd .