Loading...
The Citizen, 1998-01-07, Page 20BLY171 MEDICAL CLINIC DR. JANET ZETTEL DR. DAN ROOYAKKERS Tues. 1-5 , Thurs. 1-5, Fri. 9-1 Call: 523-4567 for appointments New patients welcome Home hardware Zurner'g b orne jOarbivare Come in and meet Drew Turner Employee of Turner's Home Hardware Our friendly service will keep you coming back IIT•111Z4-116iti le MO 24 Albert St., Box 99 Clinton (519) 482-7023 T /00 NAPOLEON FIREPLACES actory Authorized *HANDHELD REMOTE $149.00 VALUE WI III III! PURCHASE. OF AN N. Pol I oN GAS FIRI 'V I-, S I (AT OR INSI R I. 'Remote may not be exactly as shown Limited time offer. MONTGOMERY'S COMFORT CENTRE LTD. Hwy. #4 South, Wingham 357-4300 Come in and see our elaborate showroom See your Napoleon dealer today! PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 1998. Wingham hosp. first to implement new food system By Margaret Stapleton Advance-Times Staff Wingham will be the first of the eight hospitals in Huron and Perth Counties to implement a new patient-focused food service delivery system. Lloyd Koch, executive director of Wingham and District Hospital, says the new system will come into effect April 15, 1998. The move is one aspect of a partnership approach to cost reduction at all eight hospitals. Unfortunately, there is a human cost with the loss of one full-time job at WDH and two part-time positions. "The Huron Perth Food Services Project Team worked diligently on their task and came up with an excellent business plan that will improve service to patients while decreasing costs," says Koch in a Continued from page 3 population to support more ser- vices. "My concern is if it is workable, cost efficient and keeps govern- ment close to the people," he said. When asked by Councillor Jeff Howson about the status of Morris and Tumberry Twps., which are not involved in the talks, Scrim- geour said that it is hoped they can be enticed into the group. Scrimgeour added that, hopeful- ly, with a successful police services board involving a similar grouping, it will prove the amalgamation will work. Council agreed to pursue the option to acquire police services from the Wingham Police, for the community. "We are trying to set up the best protection for our citizens," said Scrimgeour. "With an area board; _ we will have part ownership in the force and we-will have a say." Some of the advantages of the Wingham force, as detailed by Chief Jim Dore in a-presentation to the Protection to Persons and Prop- erty subcommittee included: better service due to more officers and yatrols with a knowledge of the area; more accountability as the board would have control over the release issued early last week from the eight hospitals. Barbara Major-McEwen, director of nutrition and food services at WDH, was part of that committee. She explains that rethermalization food carts will be purchased to transport food to patients' bedsides. The carts have capabilities to keep food hot or cold and the fare will be a combination of food purchased through a food-service distributor, yet to be determined, and food continued to be prepared in the hospital kitchen. Major-McEwan calls the new system "a better way of servicing the patient". The hospital operates under a non-selective menu now, she notes, but under the new system, food services staff will ask patients about their menu choice and even the serving size they desire. "It's getting the service back to the patients," says Major- McEwan. "We will do the whole tray assembly upstairs," at the bedside. The hospital's cafeteria will By Margaret Stapleton Advance-Times Staff Service employees at Wingham and District Hospital have voted to join the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE). WDH Executive Director Lloyd Koch confirmed in a telephone interview recently that a certification vote was held on Thursday, Dec. 18. Koch says management will sit down with CUPE representatives in the near future to determine who is included in the bargaining unit. Registered nurses and registered practical nurses at the hospital both have been unionized for some time. Koch said he believes the move to CUPE certification should not remain open to provide noon meals to staff and visitors, she adds and vending machines will continue to operate. As well, food services will continue to offer the popular result in any major change at WDH, as the hospital always has endeavoured to keep up with CUPE wage settlements. Meals-on-Wheels program to the outside community. "Our food service departments are moving ahead," Major- McEwan is quoted as saying in the eight-hospital press release. "Many of our existing kitchens were outdated and were going to require considerable capital outlay to continue effective operations." The new food delivery system will be implemented at all eight hospitals over the next 18 months. Council talks policing budget and would handle com- plaints; control over the size of the force and backup would be provid- ed by the OPP. Though a Wingham force would not provide special services or criminal investigators, those would be available through the OPP at no additional cost to the municipali- ties. OPP Staff Sergeant Brian Bald-" win also spoke to the subcommit- tee. He asked the committee to not make a decision until costing had been completed for county-wide OPP coverage. The police services area board is to be discussed at the Thursday North Huron Restructuring meet- ing. In another restructuring issue, council tabled a request to endorse a recommendation from the Central - Huron Municipalities Restructuring committee which asked the county to hire a consult to study restructur- ing. The consultant would look at the options of status quo, one-tier or two-tier governing. Council stated that they would proceed with their own agenda for restructuring. The matter may be dealt with again after the North Huron Restructuring meeting. WDH employees join CUPE JOHN McKERCHER CONSTRUCTION LTD. • backhoeing • bulldozing • loader and truck rental • sand, gravel and topsoil • stone pile and rubble removal • septic systems R.R. #2 Bluevale 887-9061 if busy 887-9999 Fax: 887-9999