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The Citizen, 1997-10-01, Page 15THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1,1997. PAGE 15. Wingham area officially underserviced by doctors By John Greig Advance-Times Staff The Wingham-area's designation as a physician underserviced area should help it attract more doctors. "I'm delighted, just delighted," said Noreen Gnay, chairman of the physician recruiting committee for the Wingham and District Hospital. "We will be on the lours and will have the chance to talk to more physicians." As an underserviced area, there are incentives for physicians to visit and locate here, including government payment for visits to town, government promotion of the Wingham-area, the chance to attend special recruiting tours and meet with young physicians at medical schools, incentive plans for doctors to move to the area and the potential lifting of the cap on a doctor's salary. MPP Helen Johns announced the designation at the Wingham and District Hospital Thursday evening. It designates Culross, Kinloss, Ashfield, East and West Wawanosh, Morris, Tumberry and Grey Townships, the Village of DHC approves clinic proposal By Margaret Stapleton Advance-Times Staff The Huron-Perth District Health Council has approved a proposal from Wingham and District Hospital to construct a medical clinic adjacent to the hospital, which also would incorporate unused space within the hospital itself. The proposal now goes back to the provincial health ministry for its consideration. Lloyd Koch, executive director of Wingham and District Hospital, confirmed last Friday that the DHC approved the proposal at a meeting last Thursday at Mitchell. He said he is hopeful that the ministry will approve the project later this fall. Also last Thursday, Huron MPP Helen Johns announced that Wingham has been declared an "under-serviced area" for physicians, which will allow representatives of Wingham and district Hospital access to doctor­ recruitment tours across the province until two physicians have been recruited to Wingham. Koch says he believes both developments of the past week - the DHC nod and Johns' announcement - finally will put the wheels in motion for a solution in Wingham's long quest to recruit more doctors. A medical clinic is considered crucial to attracting physicians, as the modem trend is toward group practices. An earlier proposal to construct a $1 million clinic has been cut by one-half to $500,000. The clinic would be adjacent and connected to the hospital and some unused space within the hospital building would be incorporated. Tentative plans include the demolition of the former nursing assistants' training centre and a nearby residence. Even though the hospital is funding the project solely with its own money, recent legislation required it to apply to the health ministry for approval. It did so earlier this summer, but the request was referred to the DHC. Brussels and the Towns of Lucknow, Teeswater and Wingham as underserviced by physicians. The ministry has determined that two more physicians are needed in the area. There are presently six family physicians working out ol the Wingham hospital, and one surgeon. Johns pointed out two people who were especially helpful in getting the application together and processed. Denise Wilkins-Treble, a Wingham town councillors who sits on the recruiting committee did most of the leg work for the application, while hospital Director of Nursing Bill Woodley provided information and did some lobbying when needed. The application has been made before and turned down. This time the application process was started in the winter and submitted in April. What followed was several calls back and forth with the health ministry. There were several requests, including getting the support of all the councils of the included municipalities. While the ministry said that would be a tough challenge, Wilkins-Treble said they all came through. That helped the quick processing of the application. "People can't believe how quickly the forms were processed," said Johns. "(Health Minister) Jim (Wilson) and I worked together. I appreciate that he moved it through as quickly as he did." Johns was formerly the parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Health. While optimism reined during the announcement, Gnay admitted that it could be a while before any new doctors move to town. Two physicians toured the hospital last month and one, a doctor from Montreal,, is reluming for a repeat visit. Hospital officials left Monday for a five-city recruiting tour. Kidney fundraiser begins It's time again for The Kidney Foundation's annual fall campaign fundraising drive. Throughout last month and this month, Foundation volunteers will be busy at local businesses, malls, hospitals, schools and community organizations selling bags of peanuts, jelly beans and gum drops to raise money for the fight against kidney disease. The bags cost $3 each, and the money raised helps The Kidney Foundation to continue the important work it does for kidney patients and their families. For more than three decades, the Kidney Foundation has been committed to improving the quality of life of people living with kidney disease providing information and services free of charge to patients across Canada. "Each year the fall campaign raises more than $1 million across the country, making it one of our biggest fundraising initiatives." says Maria Whitney, president. "Buying a bag of treats helps support The Kidney Foundation, but it also gives people a chance to win a great trip." Printed on each bag of treats is a contest ballot. Participants who complete and submit the ballot are eligible to win a Disney vacation for four (two adults and two children) which includes airfare, hotel accommodations and Disney passes. Because the Foundation relies entirely on support from the public, initiatives like the fall campaign are crucial to help raise the funds needed to continue providing vital services. The money raised during the fall campaign also allows the Foundation to continue funding important research into the cause, prevention and treatment of kidney diseases. The Kidney Foundation provides more than half of all funding for kidney-related research in Canada. Since 1964, they have granted more than $7 million to support research projects that benefit people across the country. "This year the number of kidney failure patients in Canada will reach 20,000 and the list of people waiting for a transplant is growing every year," said Whitney. "So our work is more important than ever." Lung Assoc, holds asthma meeting The Lung Association, Huron- Perth Counties and Horizon Pro Health are sponsoring an information evening entitled "Understand and Managing Your Asthma" on Wednesday, Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. This program, aimed at adults with asthma as well as parents and caregivers of asthmatic children, will be held in the Clinton Town Hall Auditorium, Clinton. The featured speaker is Dr. W. B. Chodirker of the London Health Sciences Centre. Following his presentation there will be a question and answer period. As well there will be information tables and displays by The Lung Association and Horizon Pro Health. Dr. Chodirker, a native of Winnipeg, is a graduate of the University of Manitoba, University of Toronto, the University of Vermont and the University of Rochester. He joined the faculty at the University of Western Ontario in 1967, becoming Professor of Medicine in 1979. Since 1972 he has been Chief of Allergy and Clinical Immunology at University Hospital (now London Health Sciences Centre - University Campus). Froml972 - 1994 he was the director of the Clinical Immunology Laboratory at University Hospital. Dr. Chodirker continues to be active in patient care, teaching and research. Almost one million Canadians suffer from asthma, a lung disease characterized by wheezing, shortness of breath, chronic cough and chest tightness. Acute asthma is the most common medical emergency in children and is responsible for increasing absence from school and hospitalization. Asthma therapy works best when parents and patients are well- informed and confident in taking an active role in prevention and treatment. "Understanding and Managing Your Asthma" will provide the opportunity to learn more about living as fully as possible with asthma. There is no charge to attend this presentation. For further information, call The Lung Association, Huron-Perth Counties at 271-7500 or Horizon Pro Health at 482-7405. V CLASSIFIEDS NOMINATIONS NOTICE TO MUNICIPAL ELECTORS OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MORRIS Nominations in the Township of Morris for the offices of: Municipal Positions: 1 REEVE 1 DEPUTY REEVE 3 COUNCILLORS may be made by completing and filing In the office of the Clerk, nominations In the prescribed form. School Board Positions shared with other municipalities: Nominations for the District Public School Board No. 8 for the Counties of Huron and Perth - (Nomination Papers to be filed with the Clerk at Howlck Township, Gorrie, Ontario) Nominations for the English Language Separate District School Board No. 36 for the Counties of Huron and Perth - (Nomination Papers to be filed with the Clerk at the Town of Goderich, 57 West Street, Goderich, Ontario) Nominations for the French Language Separate District School Board No. 63 - representing the Counties of Lambton, Huron and Bruce (Nomination Papers to be filed with the Clerk at the City of Sarnia, 255 N. Christina Street, Sarnia, Ontario (519) 332-0330 Nominations for the French Language Public District School Board No. 58 - representing the Counties of Kent, Lambton and Huron. (Nomination Papers to be filed with the Clerk at the City of Chatham, 315 King St. W., Chatham, Ontario (519) 352-4500 A nomination must be signed by the candidate and may be filed In person or by an agent on any day in the year that Is after March 31,1997 and Is before October 10,1997, at a time when the Clerk’s office is open or on October 10, 1997 (Nomination Day) between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. A prescribed nomination filing fee ($100) must accompany the nomination form. The fee shall be paid in cash or by certified cheque or money order made payable to the municipality. A nomination must be certified by the Clerk before such person becomes a certified candidate for the office to which she or he Is nominated. In the event there are an Insufficient number of certified candidates to fill all positions available, nominations will be reported for the vacant positions only on Wednesday, October 15, 1997, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. and such additional nominations, If required, may be filed In the office of the Clerk. Electors are hereby given notice that If a greater number of candidates are certified than are required to fill the said offices, voting places will be opened on the date stated below for the purpose of voting. ADVANCE VOTE: SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1,1997,10 a.m. to 6 p.m. VOTING DAY: MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10,1997,10 a.m. to 8 p.m. DATED THIS 24TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 1997. Nancy Michie Municipal Clerk