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The Citizen, 1997-01-15, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15,1997 Hospital board hears action committee report By Margaret Stapleton Advance-Times Staff The chairman of the community action committee working to save Wingham and District Hospital gave a report to the January meeting of the hospitals board of governors. Verna Steffler, action committee chairman and a member of the hospital board, reported that the committee was to hold an information session last night, Tuesday, in the council chambers at the town hall to keep the public apprised of the situation as it is unfolding. Earlier on Tuesday, a committee representing the eight hospitals in Huron and Perth Counties was to have made a presentation to the task force on its own restructuring plan, which was to have been ratified by all eight hospital boards. The Wingham board of governors was to meet Monday night to discuss the proposal at a special meeting. Also on the agenda for Tuesday's DHC task force meeting on hospital restructuring was Dick LeVan, chief executive of Wescast Industries in Wingham, who was expected to discuss the crucial role the hospital plays in attracting people to live and work in town. Steffler said she believed that LeVan's input can't help but holster the cause of keeping services at the Wingham hospital intact. "This is to our benefit as well," noted Steffler, adding, "It seems Dick has some sort of influence." The local action committee has been fielding calls from other communities, namely those in Grey-Bruce, said Steffler, which also are facing hospital restruc­ turing. Steffler noted that Wingham is the only community with a ormal action committee and representatives from Grey-Bruce have been invited to attend one of its meetings. In answer to a question from Dr. Brian Hanlon, Steffler said the Wingham action committee is, as its name implies, a committee of the community, not of the hospital board. It was formed in response to the three options released by the DHC task force in late November, all of which would limit the role of Wingham and District Hospital. George Underwood, vice chairman, asked Steffler if there are any rural people on the action committee. She replied the core committee is made up of herself as chairman; Doris Inglis, a former hospital board chairman; Wingham Councillors Arnold Taylor and Bill McGrath; Dr. Greg Antoniadis and Debbie Ritchie, a registered nurse at WDH. People from out-of-town have attended meetings and are serving on sub-committees, she noted. A series of public information meetings in the six communities of the catchment area of Wingham and District Hospital had- been planned for later this month, said Steffler, but may have to be rescheduled if the Huron-Perth District Health Council task force on hospital restructuring does not release a preferred option by the Jan. 21 deadline. Koch details plans to save hospitals At last Thursday’s January hospital board meeting, Executive Director of Wingham and District Hospital, Lloyd Koch noted that in late December, the task force invited the chief executive officers and boards of the eight hospitals in Huron and Perth counties to prepare a hospital restructuring proposal showing an 18 per cent ICU renovations underway By Margaret Stapleton Advance-Times Staff Renovations to the intensive care unit at Wingham and District Hospital started last Monday, Jan. 6 and will be completed by April 30. The hospital's Director of Nursing, Bill Woodley, reported at Addiction services to be restructured Recommendations for the restructuring of addiction treatment services in Southwestern Ontario will be the subject of a community consultation to be held at the Mitchell Community Centre, 7 to 9 p.m., Jan. 22. The Huron Perth District Health Council is arranging the consulta­ tion for residents of Huron and Perth Counties. The recommenda­ tions have been drafted by an external consultant engaged by the Ministry of Health. Residents of the district who are interested in the provision of accessible and effective addiction services are encouraged to obtain a copy of the consultant's draft report and attend the consultation. Copies of the report are available from the District Health Council office at 519-348-4498. The goal of restructuring, according to the Honorable Jim Wilson, minister of health at the titne of the inception of the project, is "to improve addiction treatment services in each of Ontario's Regional Health Planning Areas by achieving savings, recommending reallocation of savings to address gaps, and restructuring services to meet the needs of special population groups." In achieving this goal, considera­ tion will be given to strategies to improve the capacity, accessibility, efficiency, comprehensiveness and effectiveness of services. Restructuring planning began Nov. 1, when the regional consultant was engaged, and is anticipated to be completed by Feb. 28. required unanimous approval of the boards and CEOs. The deadline for the proposal was yesterday, Jan. 14. The hospital CEOs met numerous times to hammer out the details of the proposal. As well, a joint-liaison committee consisting of the CEOs, representatives of all eight hospital boards and chief the January meeting of the board of governors that the intensive care unit has been moved to "Team A", which had been closed, until the renovations have been completed. George Underwood, vice chairman of the board, admitted he had been fielding questions from people concerned that the board is going ahead with renovations at a Currently, there are two dedicat­ ed addiction treatment services in the district, Huron Addiction Assessment and Referral Centre, sponsored by the Huron County Health Unit, and Perth Addiction Centre Inc., an independent agency. Both offer assessment, referral and treatment services in a number of locations in their respective counties. In addition, many individuals with addictions receive treatment from physicians and hospitals within the district. Short and long-term residential programs in London and Owen Sound are used by some district residents for detoxification, withdrawal and recovery. Preliminary discussion has taken place with regard to the development of a less costly and less disruptive home withdrawal management program which would be appropriate for a number of local consumers. Other needs identified in the district include enhancement of youth addiction services, the provision of addiction services to women, the expansion of group treatment programs and the development of outreach services addressing the needs of the growing elderly population in the district. In addition to the formal programs, there are numerous self help and peer support programs, such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Alateen, offered in many centres throughout the district. Addictions planning within the Huron Perth District Health reduction in costs. The proposal financial officers was formed to provide further input. In his report to the January board meeting, Koch noted that two consultants, Tom Butt of Toronto and Jim Harold of Flesherton provided leadership with the goal being to "provide in-patient and out-patient services in each time when the very future of the hospital is uncertain due to restructuring. "We're all optimists (on the board)," said Underwood, "and we're going ahead with the view that this hospital will be here in the future." Council is conducted through the Addictions Services Subcommittee of the Mental Health/Substance Abuse Committee and is supported by a health planner on staff. Campaign still on Continued from page 1 spending practices and that "rather than reducing spending, 78 per cent of boards had chosen to increase residential property taxes," Norm Pickell, trustee for Goderich said the comments were "almost defor­ mation, to have come from a minis­ ter of the crown. How can he say that of Huron County?" When questioned on where the provincial grant money to cover the cost of education would come from, Rowland said the govern­ ment didn't know yet. As for continuing the campaign for education finance reform, which was initiated by Blyth coun­ cil in March 1996, Bailey said he had been on the phone soliciting support for the resolution which was sent to the Rural Ontario Municipal Association for its upcoming convention. "We want services to property charged to property and services to people financed in another way." Referring to the provincial minis­ ter's suggestion welfare may be transferred to municipalities in place of education expenses, Bailey said, "Welfare is not a service to property." "The campaign continues on the same principles. The next move will depend on the support received at the convention." community that currently has a hospital, but provide it in such a way that it will reduce total costs by the targeted amount". Koch said he is encouraged by the task force's decision to require savings of 12 to 18 per cent, rather than the 18 per cent which had been targeted earlier. Hosp, census at a high By Margaret Stapleton Advance-Times Staff On Monday, Jan. 6, the census, or number of patients, at Wingham and District Hospital was the highest it has been in one year, WDH Director of Nursing Bill Woodley reported to the January meeting of the hospital board of governors. Woodley said 55 patients, including four mothers with babies, were included in the Jan. 6 census. In a telephone interview after last week's meeting, Executive Director Lloyd Koch said the flu bug LHEALTH ON THE HILLJ A Review of activities at SEAFORTH COMMUNITY HOSPITAL VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION Once again the Hospital Auxiliary comes through! The garlands and wreaths adorning the Hospital halls over the Christmas Season did not go unnoticed. This is just one sampling of their dedication and commitment to Seaforth Community Hospital. The Hospital Auxiliary, Board and Staff are very grateful to the community for their support of the Tree of Lights. OB PRE-ADMIT CLINIC if you are an expectant Mom 34-38 weeks pregnant and planning to deliver at Seaforth Community Hospital, you are encouraged to attend for sharing of admission information on Thursday, JANUARY 16 at 7:00 p.m. in BOARD ROOM. Pre-resistration requested 527-1650 Ext. 219. Information will be also available as to how Karen Searle, Breastfeeding Facilitator can provide breastfeeding support and problem solving if required. If you require further or immediate information, please contact 527-1650 Ext. 219 or 522-0409. PERINATAL INFORMATION SESSION Thurs. JAN. 16th at 7:30 p.m. in BOARD RM. TOPIC: TOUR OF BIRTHING ROOM Dr. Janet Zettel and Kay Mailloux, Reg. N. will be avail­ able to answer questions of concern. Pre-registration requested and appreciated. 527-1650 Ext. 219. "I'm encouraged by what we've done so far," Koch told last week's hospital board meeting. George Underwood, board vice chairman and a member of the joint-liaison committee, said he too is encouraged that all eight hospitals finally have come together for the common good. certainly has had something to do with the hospital census being so high, but added it is a function of the season with winter typically being a time when more people, especially the elderly, require hospitalization. As of last Monday, anyone with flu-like symptoms within the past 48 hours was asked to refrain from visiting patients at the hospital. Even more stringent precautions were being taken at the Braemar Nursing Home just outside town with no visitors permitted, according to a nursing home spokesman.