HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1996-10-23, Page 7Nature walk
Committee member Jim Phelan shows off some of the
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individuals who took part in a walking tour of the area on
Sunday afternoon.
Focus groups begin
studies for proposal
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THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1996 PAGE 7.
Time to get a flu shot
Continued from page 1
push to restructure, a Grey-Bruce
hospital committee has been devis-
ing recommendations for months,
answering questions at public ses-
sions and forwarding proposals to
the District Health Council.
After hearing the recommenda-
tions could bring about the closure
of all 10 hospitals in Grey-Bruce,
except facilities in Owen Sound
and, possibly, Walkerton/Hanover,
with the others converted to prima-
ry health care centres, a group of
four southern hospitals agreed to
unite.
The proposed amalgamation
would involve Walkerton, Durham,
Kincardine and Chesley, with
Hanover invited to discussions,
said Maurice Donnelly, chair of the
alliance board designate.
The cost savings would amount
to 2.6 million or the 18 per cent
cutback suggested by the provincial
government.
The amalgamation would reduce
the administration to one board of
directors, a single management
team with one CEO, director of
patient care, director of medical
services and business officer, one
medical chief of staff.
Each facility would then remain
open, providing the basic services
of a minimum of eight-hours of
emergency room services, 10 beds,
day surgery, clinical service and
basic diagnostic services.
The proposal is set to go into
effect, Apr. 1, pending ministry
approval.
The timetable for creating the
restructuring proposal for Huron
and Perth Counties will begin with
focus groups between Oct. 21 and
Nov. 1 in each of the communities
which have a hospital. On. Oct. 23,
a special tabloid newspaper outlin-
ing the issues and procedures will
be circulated to homes in the coun-
ties. A telephone survey will be
conducted and a special toll-free
number (1-888-648-3712) has been
set up for people to get informa-
tion.
Between Dec. 2 and 13, there
will be open houses in 10 commu-
nities to discuss three options for
hospital restructuring. From Jan. 8-
17, the preferred option will be dis-
cussed with groups. This will be
lad to the final recommendation by
the end of January.
Bill Mickle, reeve of Exeter,
worried about whether the whole
process was a waste of time. Not-
ing that in some areas the final
report has been totally ignored by
the government.
"Are we doing this for naught? If
we are doing this, is it for the good
of the people?" he wondered. He
also worried about where people
are supposed to go if hospitals are
closed.
Bell answered that this is why it's
better for a local committee to look
at the situation instead of the
provincial government.
Brian McBumey, reeve of Turn-
berry also sounded a warning. "I
hope when you do this study that
you'll do it for the needs of the peo-
ple of Huron and Perth and not for
the government's need," he said. "If
you can see the financial reality of
three years from now, you're better
than most of us. Three years from
now is election time. Even the iron
government of Alberta found
money for health care (in an elec-
tion year). People care about health
care."
But Bell said the hospital coin-
mission is moving very fast and it
doesn't have to be re-elected.
Flu may seem like a seasonal
right-of-passage but it can be
deadly. Almost 2,000 people in
Canada unnecessarily die each year
as a result of flu related
complications, namely pneumonia
and influenza. Over 80 per cent of
these deaths are people over the age
of 65. With effective immunization
readily available, these deaths can,
and should be avoided.
Now is the best time to get a shot
because it takes up to six weeks for
the body to build up its immune
system prior to the peak of the
influenza season. Annual
immunization is required because
one or more of the vaccine
components is changed each year
to accommodate new influenza
strains which appear. They are
available from all family physicians
and are distributed through all
Public Health Units in Ontario.
Does getting a flu shot really
make a difference? According to
Health Canada flu vaccine will
prevent illness in approximately 70
per cent of healthy adults and
children; 70 per cent effective in
preventing hospitality for
pneumonia and influenza among
elderly persons living in the
community. In nursing homes,
studies have shown flu shots to be
50-60 per cent effective in
preventing hospitalization and
pneumonia and up to 85 per cent
effective in preventing death.
Put another way, flu and
pneumonia account for 70,000
hospital admissions, one million
bed days and costs our health care
system $500 million dollars - every
year. This is one reason why it's
free to anyone in the high risk
group. It can save Ontario
taxpayers millions of dollars, but
only if they get the shot! This is the
single most effective way of
preventing serious illness and death
for anyone in the high risk group.
So get smart, get your flu shot.
Contact your Doctor or your Public
Health Unit today.