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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2003-05-14, Page 11THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 2003. PAGE 11. Integrated service delivery saves dollars By Keith Roulston Citizen publisher Health and social services officials will explore a program to integrate services that a speaker at Huron County said can save money while helping people live healthier, more productive lives. Dr. Gina Browne, a McMaster University researcher, told councillors at the May 8 meeting of County council briefs 24-liour service works well Huron County’s new 24-hour ambulance service is generally working well and is being watched closely by surrounding counties David Lew, ambulance manager told county council May 8. Responding to a question by North Huron Councillor Doug Layton, Lew said there was one case when a patient scheduled to be taken for an appointment in London was late because a high priority emergency call came up but generally the system has worked well and there have been no negative comments from staff. “We’re being watched by other counties. Our neighbours want to know how we did it and know if we run into problems,” said Lew. *** By mid-June it’s expected county ambulances will be equipped with global positioning system technology to assist the London dispatch centre to better deploy ambulances. Huron and Oxford are leading in use of the new technology in the region. *** A presentation was made to Tim Collyer, financial manager from the homes for the aged in appreciation of his work to get a $157,554.47 Grey Central Echo Kindergartens do lottery EQAO testing season is here again. Grey Central’s Grade 3 and 6 students are working their way through the testing booklets over the next couple of weeks. This week, students were busy crafting many special gifts to present to their moms on Mother’s day. Mrs. Bowler’s kindergarten class did lottery. In Mrs. Smith’s kindergarten class, they learned the colour yellow and used hulahoops in gym. Miss Hill’s Grade 1/2 class are skipping in gym. Mrs. Goodall’s Grade Is have been doing a unit called It’s Alive in science. This is about living and non-living things. Mrs. Taylor’s Grade 3/4s are busy County warden, CAO visit North Huron council By Bonnie Gropp Citizen editor In a show of co-operation and support Huron County Warden Dave Urlin and Chief Administrative Officer Larry Adams attended the May 5 meeting of North Huron council. Urlin explained that they had been visiting lower-tier governments to let them know the county was there council that services tend to be delivered by specialists looking only at their own area of specialization. But her System-Linked Research Unit looks not just at the direct costs for health services but the out of pocket costs for patients, the cost of loss of work and the cost to the system of people getting employment insurance or disability payments because they can’t work. Her study in Hamilton followed rebate from Hydro One on utility costs. Collyer had called in Measurements Canada to test the Huronlea hydro meter and found that after the meter was replaced in 1999, the billing software had not been updated, leading to over-billing by the utility. The resulting rebate will be put into a reserve fund for capital improvements. *** A suggestion that a revamped county highways department sign bylaw might prevent the posting of political signs on road allowances brought an expression of concern from Central Huron Councillor Carol Mitchell. Mitchell, a candidate in the next provincial election, pointed out that in the northern part of the county all highways are county highways and banning signs would mean political parties couldn’t erect any roadside signs at all. She asked that the agriculture, public works and seniors committee consider the matter carefully before coming up with such a policy. *** County engineer Don Pletch has been meeting with roads department staff and their association regarding with the EQAO testing. Miss Aarssen’s Grade 4s are learning about habitats in science and Canadian government in social studies. They are also learning about decimals in math. The Grade 4s and 5s are also preparing for track and field in gym. The Grade 5s are learning about the Canadian government in social studies as well as doing a poetry unit in language. Mr. Walker’s Grade 5s have been in Miss Aarssen’s class while the Grade 6s are busy with the EQAO testing. Miss Henry’s Grade 7s have been learning about the Loyalists in history and are continuing to learn about ecosystems in science. They to help them. He also suggested the possibility of co-operative ventures. “We’re here to build bridges.” Urlin reminded that the problems facing Huron’s municipal governments are the same as those of every council in the province. Solutions, he said, will be in how governments work together. Adams reiterated Urlin’s remarks noting that should a problem arise for which the county may help 765 sole-support parents with 1330 children. The study found 45 per cent of sole-support parents are depressed and 60.4 per cent of these had two or more mental health problems. More than 29 per cent of people live with pain that limits their activities. “Most people think people are on welfare because they’re poor,” Browne said. “I think people are poor because they’re so sick.” a reorganization of the department. The plan is to be developed in the coming weeks. *** Huron County does not qualify for funding for spraying to kill mosquito larvae in the battle against West Nile Virus, Penny Nelligan, director of the health unit told council. Because Huron did not have any human cases of the disease last summer there is no money for spraying the insects, she said. She said she understood Lambton County is also hoping not to have to spray. The good news is that the mosquito that transmits the virus seems to like urban areas where there is standing water rather than rural areas, Nelligan said. *** Huron County has one of the lowest rates of people on welfare or disability support of any area of the province, John MacKinnon, social services administrator told council. As of December Huron had just 314 Ontario Works recipients, a drop of nearly 15 per cent in the previous year and 959 disability recipients, an increase of 2.5 per cent in the past year. have also been working very hard on track and field events for gym and are doing an end of unit vocabulary review in French. Mr. Payne’s Grade 8s have been singing Eagles music and are doing line designs in art. They are also learning about tractors in math and the water cycle in science. Miss Van Boulhuis’s morning class is learning about the countries of the world. While learning about Mexico, they got to eat nachos and salsa. They also sampled black olives while learning about Italy, they have started a division unit in math. Miss Van Bolhuis’s afternoon class is doing a project on Canada. “there is an answer at the other end of the phone line.” Reeve Doug Layton in thanking the men for their presentation commended them both on the job they are doing at the county level. Help protect the environment Reduce, reuse and recycle Of the children studied, 33.3 per cent had behaviour disorders. But under normal circumstances, Browne said, the children were never treated for the underlying mental health problems. But the aggressive program that pooled the resources of social, health and recreational services sent professionals into clients’ homes to analyze what could best help the families. They found, for instance, that providing subsidized recreation Much thanks A presentation of a cheque for $500 was made to the Belgrave arena board for the playground ball park. Accepting the cheque from Karrin Marks was Bruce Higgins. The money was raised through the sale of 43 dozen hotdogs by Belgrave Guides and Pathfinders during Jim and Mary Hunter’s auction. (Vicky Bremner photo) www.medicaleft.ca • 1-800-668-1507 WINGHAM AND DISTRICT HOSPITAL CORPORATION Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of the Wingham and District Hospital Corporation will be held at the North Huron Wescast Community Complex, Knights of Columbus Lounge, 99 Kerr Drive, Wingham, Ontario on Thursday, June 12, 2003 at the hour of seven p.m. (7:00 p.m) for the election of Directors; for the appointment of Auditors; and for the transaction of other such things as may properly come before the meeting. Copies of the Annua! Report, Hospital Financial statements and amended Bylaws may be obtained at the Emergency Entrance of the Wingham & District Hospital, effective June 5, 2003 and at the Annual Meeting. Elections will be held for two Directors in the Central Zone, and one Director in the Western Zone. Nominations for these positions will be received up to and at the Annual Meeting on June 12, 2003. Due to circumstances regarding SARS, a membership, granting voting privileges may be purchased by pre-registering with Mrs. B. Ritchie at 357-3210, Ext. 216 prior to five o’clock p.m., Wednesday, May 28, 2003. No membership sold after that time will entitle the purchaser to vote. The membership fee is five dollars ($5.00). You may pay this fee and pick up your membership at the Complex on the evening of the Annual Meeting. Dated at Wingham,Ontario this 2nd day of May, 2003. By order of the Board of Directors. but help the mothers’ mental health as well. It makes sense, Browne pointed out, that if the children are happy and behaving well, the mother won’t be as stressed. Huron County has made steps toward dealing with the underlying problems of those on social assistance through its Pathways to Self-Sufficiency program but the program doesn’t have a component to recognize depression and treat it, Browne said. She was to meet that Speaks For You.