Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1997-02-12, Page 7THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1997 PAGE 7. Flexibility key element in hospital restructuring Continued from page 1 if the beds are used right, they will serve the needs of the community. The medical staff at CPH is "really one of the finest groups of medical doctors I have met," he said, adding that with the strongly committed medical team, "I believe I can assure you it won't be fragmented" as long as there are beds at the hospital. He also noted that the Huron County Medical Society had met Wednesday evening, and gave overwhelming support to the option. One of the two motions passed by the society was the following: "The Huron County Medical Society supports the Huron-Perth Hospital Restructuring Plan of January 1997 and particularly the bed allocation, to maintain and enhance integrated primary and secondary care services as delivered by rural physicians in all Huron County hospitals." Dr. Salsbury said society members see a difference between rural and urban medicine, and thus would like to see governance on a rural and urban basis. To this end, the medical society also passed a motion which states: "The Huron County Medical Society recommends that the Huron County hospitals move to county governance, administration and medical staff, recognizing the unique needs, clinical practice and specialist care patterns within Huron County and neighbouring rural areas." Dr. Peter Salsbury said he is thrilled that under the current proposal "Clinton is still on the map." QUESTION PERIOD A question period with members of the task force followed. Nisa Howe Lobb asked whether beds would physically be rejnoved from hospitals. She said when she was in the obstetrical ward at CPH, there were six mothers there. How, she asked, would six mothers fit in a two-bed ward? Bill Thibert CEO of Seaforth hospital said hospitals will have to be prepared for overflow. "There is going to have to be some flexibility in how beds are used." Concern was expressed by a Goderich resident that that hospital had willingly given up secondary hospital status. Task force member David Sparling of Blyth said in all BMG Group seeks leaders Continued from page 4 arena would benefit from volunteers. We feel with all the government cutbacks at this time, we should be looking into all places where we can cut costs in the running of our arena. If we want to keep ice time and arena activities accessible to all in our community, we have to volunteer as a community, not just a few, or else put all the costs to our municipalities. The BMG Catering Group is in need of new leaders to keep this ongoing service available to our community. Funds have been coming from the group since early 1979 to help defray costs of the arena. Shall we keep our community endeavours going, or is there enough interest? Try to attend and voice your opinion on working together on a volunteer basis. Bessie Johnston Audrey Cardiff. three original proposals from the DHC, secondary hospitals were planned for Stratford and Goderich, but the task force "heard resoundingly" that there was not a need for two secondary hospitals. While losing services to an urban centre is a concern, Sparling said the task force listened to what the people said. You! It's a win, win oppor­ tunity if you convert to natural gas before March 15 '97? You can: 1 Get a conversion bonus up to $420 offt+ 2 Make no payments 'til Nov 3 Have a chance to 'Win Your Conversion'** Best of all - you can cut your energy bill in half versus electric: Call today: o uiiongas energy for you 1-800-895-7193 Mobile Office 519-357-6648 "I think there is certainly a willingness to make this work on our part," he said, adding this does not mean the task force is right in their figures, or the hospitals were right in theirs. To say either the hospitals or task force is right, he said, "is not the community spirit we're going to need to see this through." Thibert added this option has kept eight hospitals open, and, "it is great to see this put together." He added that hospitals cannot get mired down in the issue of bed numbers, and stressed again the importance of all eight hospitals working together. CPH agrees with this thinking, and has sent a letter to the DHC voicing support for the option. Board member Mike Falconer, noted the option is "the best we've had", saying he would hate to see the option lost. He urged those in attendance to contact the DHC. "Let them know how you feel," he said, adding the hope that all will co-operate to make this option work.