Loading...
The Citizen, 2001-11-14, Page 24This year give a gift that will last all year long 1 YEAR SUBSCRIPTION TO THE CITIZEN FOR ONLY $28.°° U Payment Enclosed Please send a gift card from GIFT ORDER FORM Return with payment to: The Citizen Box 429, Blyth, ON NOM 1H0 or Box 152, Brussels, ON NOG 1H0 For U.S. and foreign subscription rates call our office at 523-4792 Send a one year subscription for The Citizen to: Name Address City Prov. Postal Code Date to start subscription Send a one year subscription for The Citizen to: Name Postal Code Date to start subscription Address City Prov. itirw y k a„4 tviltV It \I atotla. Cincurp.tons 24001 PAGE 24. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2001. Boards back new modern hospital The boards of Alexandra Marine and General Hospital and the Clinton Public Hospital said Nov. 1-5 that after careful review of an independ- ent report, both support its recom- mendation of moving forward on the concept of a new regional hospital facility on a new site. The proposal, which still must meet approval by the Ontario Ministry of Health, plans for' the construction of a new modern state- d-the-art hospital. It will have expanded clinical services and pro- grams, beyond what is provided cur- rently at Goderich or at Clinton and beyond those services that could be afforded or sustained in future by either hospital or its own. Alexandra Marine and General Hospital Board Chair Mary Lapaine said, "A new, modem hospital with more patients and services will be a magnet attracting family and special- ist physicians, nurses, rehabilitation therapists and other health disci- plines." She added, "We agree with the conclusions of the report, it pro- vides a useful road map on the next steps that need to be taken now to improve the health of all West Huron community residents today and tomorrow." Alexandra Marine and General Hospital in Goderich has been in need of significant capital redevelop- ment for many years. This past sum- mer, an external review of the new hospital proposal between the two boards was requested. The report also highlighted the need for com- prehensive health care in both com- munities. The hospital would serve Goderich and Clinton residents as well as residents from other commu- nities throughout Huron County. Janet Cameron, Clinton Public Hospital board chair said, "This patient-centred proposal recognizes the future challenges of our hospital system and provides a solution which will allow patients from our community and other Huron County communities to be served closer to home." The new hospital will offer the fol- lowing advantages: • The ability to attract and retain more medical specialists to Huron County. • The ability to attract and retain nurses, rehabilitation staff, technol- ogists and other health care work- ers. • The potential for the introduction of new diagnostic services such as a CT scanner and treatment servic- es. • The ability to create a modem, up- to-date, user-friendly facility that upgrades existing space and equip- ment to enable staff to meet future needs. • The ability to utilize new health care technologies for diagnostic, treatment and management processes. The proposal also recognizes the ,development of a medical clinic in Goderich that would provide pri- mary care. The existing medical clin- ic in Clinton is also an important part of the overall plan. It is expected that the improved communication infra- structure between two clinics and the new hospital would facilitate the transmission of patient information and create an integrated health care information system for patients. The new hospital will be located between Goderich and Clinton on County Rd. 1 to Benmiller just north of Hwy. 8. The report points out that action must be taken now for the following reasons: • An increasing elderly population will increase the demand for health care services. • There is an acute shortage of fam- ily physicians throughout Southwestern Ontario and in many other communities throughout the province. In addition, there are increasing concerns about the potential for shortages of nurses, physiotherapists, rehabilitation - staff, diagnosis technologists and many other health care workers throughout the province. • Hospitals are facing ongoing operating funding problems. Transportation to the proposed new site is an issue that the boards agree needs to be addressed. In addi- tion, there are concerns about travel in the winter months. These prob- lems will be addressed with solu- tions. Examples include: • Primary care medical clinics in both communities to provide access to family physicians could provide most non-emergency patients access to primary care services in their local communities rather than at the new hospital. • A shuttle bus or dial-a-ride service could be organized to operate between the two communities and the site of the new hospital. To ensure that there is strong sup- port for these plans, the medical staff in both communities, which were extensively interviewed for this report, will be involved in the plan- ning process. The final report is entitled Planning for the Health Care Needs of the West Huron Community is publicly available from each hospi- tal. On Nov. 3 at approximately 8:45 a.m. the owner of Petteplace Heating & Cooling contacted police because his shop, located on Huron Rd. 8 between Clinton and Seaforth, had been broken into. The theft took place sometime in the last few months while the shop was closed. Stolen were two rifles, one shot- gun. a generator, kitchen taps and The Alexandra Marine and General Hospital and the Clinton Public Hospital are part of the Huron Perth Hospitals Partnership formed in 1998. This initiative is consistent with the HPHP vision of developing an innovative patient/family focused health care system with enhanced access to high quality co-ordinated care and service. The HPHP is responsible for health care services for the residents of Huron Perth Counties. expansion plumbing tools. Huron OPP are especially con- cerned over the theft of the guns. Anyone who can help the investi- gating officers recover the stolen property is asked to call the Huron OPP or Crime Stoppers at 1-800- .222-8477(TIPS). Guns stolen from Hullett business Picture perfect Guests at the Blyth celebration for the village's national vic- tory in the Communities in Bloom contest had some fun with this photo op, including the night's entertainment, these musicians from the Goderich-area. In addition to a dance, the event was used to launch the latest fundraising venture of the Bloom committee, the sale of pewter ornaments depicting Blyth landmarks or historic sites. (Vicky Bremner photo)