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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1997-01-29, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29,1997 Huron Perth health care Preferred option, a good rural plan By Janice Becker Citizen staff "It's a rural plan for rural Ontario, and it's a good one." So said Doris Inglis, Wingham and District Hospital Action com­ mittee member at a public meeting held Jan. 27, in Blyth, to discuss the preferred option for Huron and Perth hospitals. A gathering of approximately 35 people showed up at Blyth Public School to hear comments from the District Health Council (DHC) Task Force and action committee members with regards to the option announced earlier in the day. After giving an overview of the proposal which would see all eight facilities remain open, Linda Knight of the DHC task force responded to questions from the gallery regarding the lack of public sessions for input. "There will be no public meet­ ings because the recommendation is so close to what the hospitals Committee urges public to keep writing letters Continued from page 1 adding that the hospitals indicated in their proposal that these savings are achievable." "Time is of the essence as the task force is recommending that a single senior management team be in place by this September, a time frame which indicates to the Ministry of Health's Health Services Restructuring Commis­ sion that they are serious about such a restructuring process. If a delay occurs, plans will reportedly be developed for all hospitals within the province by this fall." "It is essential that the hospitals move quickly to create a single system so that administrative and support service savings can be achieved and cuts to patient care minimized," Hook said, reading from a prepared statement." "Movement toward a single system will demonstrate our communities' commitment to creating a unique rural health care system that meets the needs of Last year’s crop worth $20,000 Continued from page 4 Kennedy; Jim 'Ihalen; Fred Meier, Herb and Joanne Van Amersfoort and family; Eric Nonkes, Uncle Ed; cousin, Ed and Ed Salverda; Herman, Chris and Peter Heimrich; Harvey Hoggart; John Salverda; Carl, Kevin, Russel and Kerry Nesbitt; Henry and Raymond Wilts; Murray Adams; Nick Whyte; Mel Knox; Bill and Bruce Roy; Dave Townsend; Pete and Mary Slotegraaf; Les Rutledge; John Nesbitt; Lance Bearss; Jim Dickson; Dianne Nonkes; Bruce and Candice Howson; Jay Dalema; Hank Reinink: Hank Pardys; Keith Loder; Junior Farmers and many youth who have picked stones, including Lome Hunking. There are many others who have contributed by donating cash, time and commodities or by buying peanuts. Land has been provided by Hensail Co-op and Allboro Enterprises Ltd., Londesboro, and developed," she said. "The task force's time could be better spent helping the (implementation of the plan) go well." "We should dedicate our time to getting the ball rolling," said Dave Sparling of Blyth, a community representative on the task force. Though reiterating that the pro­ posal is not written in stone because it has not gone to the DHC yet or the Ministry of Health, Inglis suggested residents continue to send letters, giving input as to how the new governance should be set up. In the proposal, all eight hospi­ tals would be governed by one administrative team. Knight congratulated the admin­ istration, staff and boards of the facilities for their co-operation in developing the proposal. "It was a real first in the way they negotiat­ ed. The proposal is a really good, implementable, first step which can be acted on." Though the number of beds have Huron Perth residents in an effective and cost-efficient manner." "It's important we move on our own," added Bell. Later, during the question period, Bell said "Certainly one of the main factors of this plan is that it move forward before the commission comes." "There could be some precedence set," Bell continued. "Certainly this is a fairly unique approach, if not entirely novel, and I think it has some merit." Bell also expects to be contacted by other DHC's currently in the midst of restructuring, utilizing the same approach. Hook duly noted the "intense" work pul forth by the task force's 19 volunteers and the "collaborative" approach that was taken by the hospitals in the proposal presented earlier this month. "In developing the preferred option, the task force built upon the Canada Agra Inc., Blyth. Other donations of seeds sprays and fertilizer are from: Howson and Howson, Snell's Feed and Supplies Ltd., Pride Seeds, Cyanamid Canada Inc., Pioneer Seeds, San Doz, Dow Elanco, Dupont Canada Inc., Belgrave Co-op. Last year's crop was worth $20,000. This amount was matched four to one by CIDA (The Cana­ dian International Development Corporation) giving a total crop value of $100,000. The grains are deposited in the partners Canadian Food Grains Bank account and withdrawn by the 13 partners wherever there is a food shortage around the world. Most of the food is distributed to people who work for it by building roads, canals, wells, reservoirs and many other projects that help their country to become self sufficient. In war-lorn areas and areas of starvation because of drought or disaster, the food is handed out as a been adjusted between the hospi­ tals, with some losing ICU (Inten­ sive Care Unit) beds, Knight said, the numbers were based on where there truly was a need for ICU beds and on doctor recommendations. "Stratford got more beds for use by the specialists," she added. When asked about ICU require­ ments at Clinton Public Hospital, Dr. Greg Antoniadis said, that although Clinton does not have beds specified as ICU, they will keep the four monitors and the staff will be able to administer the prop­ er medication (in the case of a heart attack) to stabilize the patient before transport to another facility, if needed. "Each hospital will run at the comfort level of the physicians staffing it," he said. In response to the task force rec­ ommendation, Antoniadis said "it is a great place to start. If hospitals begin to run at more than capacity, the government will re-evaluate the number of beds." hospitals' proposal," Hook said. Given that the task force has been able to address the communities' priorities, efforts will be focused on communicating the option through the media and local community action groups. Open houses will not be held. "The concerns heard at the previous open houses - loss of physicians, access and emergency service - were able to be addressed," Hook said. Constructive suggestions on refinements to the preferred option are welcome, and can be sent to the DHC office at 235 St. George St., Mitchell, Ont., NOK 1N0. Callers can also use the toll-free telephone number, 1-888-648-3712. "The next step is to identify a cost structure of the proposal model, and work towards the governance structure," Bell said. In March, the task force's detailed final report will be brought to the DHC for review and approval prior to being forwarded to the Minister of Health. humanitarian effort to feed the starving. There are similar projects across Canada. In Huron County Goderich, Exeter, Hensail, Seaforth and Varna all have their own special projects. IT'S NOT JUST FOR FARMERS If you are not a part of this great story but would like to be you can in several ways. If your church has been mentioned, talk to someone there that is involved or you can send cash donation to Winnipeg or make commodities donations' at any elevator that is a member of the Grain Dealers Association. If you want to donate land or start your own fundraising project contact Keith Loder at 519-523-4718, the Ontario Co-ordinator, Jim Papple 519-522-0699 or Head Office, Canadian Food Grains Bank, Box 767, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 2L4, 1-800-665-0377. Antoniadis did express some concern about the quality of patient care, saying there will not be the personal care there has been in the past. "Patients are suffering now, and they will suffer more. The govern­ ment will get to the point were they see they'will have to go back, as in Alberta. If we can leam from oth­ Teen pleads guilty A Clinton teen will be walking for a year following his appearance in Wingham's provincial court, Jan. 22. Jason Aidrie pled guilty to a drunk driving charge laid Sept. 21. According to attorney for the crown, Alan Mill, Airdrie had been travelling on Sideroad 39/40 in East Wawanosh when he came upon a police spot check at the cor­ ner of County Road 25. Mill said when the officer approached the window he detected an odour of alcohol. The results of both breathalizer tests administered at the police sta­ tion were 110 ml of alcohol in 100 ml of blood. In addition to the 12-month driv­ Economical Heat ■ ■■ Elegant Looks Discover the ultimate fireplace: a Napoleon environmentally friendly gas direct vent. Be dazzled by it's exclusive PHAZER™ logs and glowing embers offering an all natural woodburning look. Outside combustion air and a sealed firebox eliminate costly heat loss. You can even enjoy a beautiful, warm fire during power failures. NAPOLEON FIREPLACES Hurry! Offer ends March 15, 1997 See your Napoleon dealer today! TRI-COUNTY BRICK 413 Bayfield Rd. 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