The Citizen, 1996-10-09, Page 7Pumpkin
Pie
"A Thanksgiving Tradition"
600 g
299
Mirabel
Shrimp Ring
312 g Pkg.
99
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Sweet Potatoes
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• No. 1 Grade "Large Size
"Yams" 1.52 kg
•69 lb.
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Assorted Varieties
520 g Pkg
599
Kraft Miracle
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1 Litre Jar
279
111
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39
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99
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50 lb. Bag
79
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29
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VALUES EFFECTIVE: Monday, October I - Sunday, October 13
THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1996 PAGE 7.
No plea will stop HU branch office closure
By Bonnie Gropp
Despite pleas from a number of
concerned citizens, the Huron
County Health Unit will be closing
its Brussels branch office.
On Monday night, in the absence
of Board of Health Chair Ron Mur-
ray, Marlene Pryce, a manager for
the Community Health division of
the Health Unit, attended the Brus-
sels council meeting to discuss the
rationale behind the decision. The
first reason, she said, was to
increase efficiency. While public
health nurses used to work on a
one-to-one basis, she said, the
province's mandate has changed.
public health care is now a team
effort to carry out specific pro-
grams.
As well, the Health Unit has seen
a decrease in staff, plus a 15 per
cent reduction in their budget for
this year with another 10 per cent
for next year. As 83 per cent of the
budget is salaries, the board was
looking at ways to make cuts with-
out cutting staff, Pryce said.
Noting that Brussels is not the
first place where the Health Unit
office has been closed, Pryce
assured those present that programs
would continue. When Clerk-Trea-
surer Donna White asked how this
could happen, Pryce said there are
other places, such as schools,
churches or Huronlea, which has
programming space free of cjtarge.
"Programs will continue if interest
warrants them," said Pryce.
The biggest issue the delegation
argued was that closing the office
would mean more spending, not
less. "I thought that with the health
unit here as a resource, people did-
n't have to visit the doctor as fre-
quently," said White.
Reeve Gord Workman said, "It
seems strange to me. We worked
(hard) to get doctors here and we
lose our nurses. If it's going to save
a dollar to keep it open it doesn't
make sense to close it. That's what
the government wants."
Pryce responded that that was
unfortunately, not what the
province wants.
Workman said seniors now have
to travel to the doctor for flu shots
that the public health nurse could
have administered for half the
price. "We can't blame you for this,
but it just doesn't make sense," he
OPP promote
The Ontario Provincial Police are
emphasizing safety for travellers
during the Thanksgiving Holiday
weekend.
During last year's Thanksgiving
period, seven fatal crashes occurred
in OPP jurisdiction resulting in the
deaths of eight people. Among
contributing factors were alcohol
consumption and inattentiveness.
It's expected that the fast
approach of winter weather will
catch drivers unprepared for early
morning roads that are slippery
with frost and wet leaves. The OPP
said.
A co:ordinator for the Diabetic
Project, Nelva Scott, said, "There is
a need for a health unit in Brussels.
Its removal will be a loss."
Scott said that the level of trust
and the relationship that has been
established between some of the
seniors in the community and the
health nurse is important to their
well being. "I can't see these people
calling Clinton to say 'I need help',"
she said.
She touched on the fact as well,
that while Seaforth and Goderich
may have had their health unit
branch offices closed, the Brussels
situation was unique. "They have a
hospital. This leaves us in a vulner-
able position. And I believe that the
cost of the extra trips to the doctor's
office would more than cover the
cost of rent."
Doug Fraser said a week's hospi-
tal stay, which could be avoided
through the type of education and
support that has been available
through the office, is $5,000. The
Diabetic Project was $350 for
about 30 people.
Pryce said that Health Nurse
Marguerite Thomas has a strong
commitment to the Diabetic Group
and expects that it will be main-
tained.
Charlie Thomas, said he could
see something positive coming out
of this action. Having spent some
time on the internet researching the
problem, he has developed a belief
that the province, particularly
Health Minister Jim Wilson, may
not be as one-sided in their think-
ing as Pryce suggested. Thomas
discussed the possibility of com-
munity-based nursing care for the
health unit, mandated through the
District Health Council. "I think
Jim Wilson is very much open to
this type of thinking. I think this
council has an opportunity. We
have the facility, all we want is to
have it staffed." He recommended
that research be done to see if there
is a possibility of finding an alter-
native for taking care of public
health services in Brussels.
White asked Pryce if the board
might reconsider. Pryce, however,
said that the decision was made
after a great deal of discussion.
"My position is that 'No', they
would not. Brussels is the only vil-
safe weekend
advises motorists to adjust their
driving to suit October conditions.
Thanksgiving Day falls in the
middle of the provincial seat belt
campaign and special emphasis this
year is on child restraints. Drivers
are reminded that they are in the
most influential position to
improve their safety and that of
their passengers.
The injury and death associated
with collisions is often predictable
and preventable. Defensive driving
and the wearing of seat belts will
help reduce the risk of tragedy on
the roadways.
lage that has a health unit office."
Councillor Joe Seili asked how
much the health unit would save by
closing the Brussels branch. The
answer was $3,600 a year. Council-
lor Greg Wilson remarked that tak-
ing into consideration how strongly
the people felt about it that didn't
seem like a lot of money.
"That's the dollar amount," said
Pryce. "But the change is in the
way we work. It is more efficient if
people work in teams."
With nothing left to be said,
Bruce Hahn, chair of the
medical/dental centre board asked
when the official notice could be
expected. Pryce said this would be
handled by the county, but the
board would get 30 days notice.
White thanked Pryce on council's
behalf for attending the meeting to
explain the board's position. "We
have gotten used to the excellent
care and the community has bene-
fitted. When change takes place, it's
hard to deal with."
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