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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2000-06-21, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21,2000. Wingham hospital meets past year’s challenges By Jim Brown Advance-Times Staff During the past year, the Wingham District Hospital board has been challenged and tested. Board chairman Bob Pike told the annual meeting last Thursday a num­ ber of things have happened during the past year that impacted all eight hospitals in the Huron Perth Hospitals Partnership. In fact, he noted the past several years have been challenging, not just for the Wingham hospital but for rural health care. When the Huron Perth District Health Council was first established three hospitals in Huron and Perth were to be closed for financial rea­ sons.Pike noted this was an easy solution for the DHC but a difficult situation for many communities. The council decided to keep all eight hospitals open. He said this would make it difficult to implement the necessary changes. According to Pike, the partnership agreement came into being two years ago with a management team to implement changes. He added things started to happen during the past year. The partnership was tested numer­ ous times but it was able to come out strong. He stated it was a major process getting eight small independent hos­ pitals to work together. Individually they were vulnerable and did not have a lot of clout. However, they are working together as one system, which makes the partnership stronger. The ministry has to deal with the partnership as one system. “The security of the hospital is greatly enhanced,” said Pike. He stated the Huron Perth partner­ ship has proven so successful that it will be used as a model in other counties. ROLE OF BOARD Pike said the role of the hospital board is to set the direction of the facility and to make sure the resources are in place for the suc­ cessful operation of the hospital. The board does not manage the hospital as it hires people to do that. He indicated with the restructuring being done across the partnership more of the budget is going directly into patient care. Pike stated the leadership costs are down over $900,000. The hospital has received another three-year accreditation with good recommendations. He said the past year has also seen more diagnostic equipment being purchased, the opening of new med­ ical clinic and new doctors coming to town. The new air conditioning sys­ tem in the hospital will benefit both the patients and the staff. Pike noted the future will see more diagnostic equipment which will mean less travelling for both patients and physicians, those coming to Wingham and those travelling to other hospitals. He indicated commitment is important. “Our greatest asset is our people,” he stated. “Being treated like family is important.” The staff of the Wingham hospital provide high quality care and serv­ ice. According to Pike the leadership team has handled the changes well, treating people with respect, trust and dignity. In tribute The Wingham District Hospital board presented a portrait of the late Dr. James McGegor to the hospital at the beginning of the board’s annual meeting, June 8. Board chairman Bob Pike presented the portrait to site administrator Margret Comack. (Advance-Times photo) K. Mills VP at SDHS Hospital ends year with deficit By Jim Brown Advance-Times Staff The Wingham and District Hospital concluded its 1999-2000 fiscal year with a $52,000 deficit. Board chairman Bob Pike said a number of decisions were made that had an impact on the deficit. The board decided to support its physicians. He added the hospital was able to offer a clinic inside the hospital for one doctor. He added there were some wage settlements which were higher than budgeted. Pike noted the hospital received four funding adjustments during the year. When the hospital receives these funding adjustments, there are two theories: how much money do we receive and how are we going to spend the money we get. “We spend a lot of time trying to get the best value for the money we get,” said Pike. He noted any savings accom­ plished by the partnership is shared by the eight hospitals. He indicated the administration costs were reduced by approximately $900,000 last year. Despite the reduction in the admin­ istration costs of the hospital, Roly Kaufman wanted to know why the bottom line keeps going up. He said during the past three years, the restructuring costs have gone up $ l .2 million. He felt this was unaccept­ able. Pike said that while the situation is unacceptable it is better than what would have been if there was no partnership. Kaufman said he could accept that. Pike noted when it came to restruc­ turing, one of the first concerns was how to treat the people. Pike indicated most of the restruc­ turing has been complete. There will still be some in 2001. With the courts ruling the Avon Maitland District School Board could not close Seaforth District High School this fall, principal and vice-principal placements were announced recently. Kevin Mills, acting vice-principal was named vice-principal. Jeff Reabum, currently vice-principal at Central Huron Secondary School will become principal in Seaforth. Eleanor Salmon, a department head with the Thames Valley District School Board was hired by AMDSB to fill a vacant vice-principal posi­ tion. WINGHAM & DISTRICT HOSPITAL HIGHLIGHTS Partnership increases services By Jim Brown Advance-Times Staff The Wingham and District Hospital has enjoyed another suc­ cessful year. Bonnie Adamson, pres­ ident and chief executive officer of the Huron Perth Hospitals Partnership told the annual meeting of the Wingham hospital board that being part of a partnership means a shared vision of the common good. She indicated a lot has happened in the last year and a half. While_each of the eight hospitals have been working together, they are learning about their own areas of expertise. Through the integration process the hospitals have been able to find efficiencies and reinvest more money into patient care. Adamson said it is important for each hospital to maintain their pres­ ent services, through technology they are able to do more consulta­ tion, not just with the hospitals in London, but also among the hospi­ tals in the partnership. This will help to increase the level of services available at the Wingham hospital. This technology gives the local physicians access to a greater variety of services. She stated this means the patient can stay here and not have to travel. According to Adamson the quality of service has always been good in Wingham. She indicated there will be com­ munity consultations in the fall. The Wingham hospital has a work­ ing partnership with the London Health Sciences Centre which enables patients here to have access to tertiary and secondary care with- out having to go to London. This will mean that tertiary and secondary will be close to home for many patients. Adamson stated it will take two to three years before it actually occurs. f INSURANCE PREMIUMS TOO HIGH? A i i |Z|0mni JI Insurance Brokers Save 20-40°° on your auto insurance and more on other insurance services * Free No Obligation Quote Paul Hallahan R.R. #3 Blyth (519) 523-9110 Fax:(519) 523-9278 Clinton Office: (519) 482-3434 rvr-<| Pager 1-888-489-2570 IMW email:phallahan@odyssey.on.ca Offering Insurance & Financial Services Farm/Commercial/ Residential/Auto Accident/Sickness y away from children. Children are naturally curious about fire. Always keep matches and lighters out of sight and \ r° Fo PHYSICIAN RECRUITMENT This committee is actively searching for physicians to serve the Wingham area. Our best efforts have resulted from person-to person contacts. If you know of any medical students, family practice residents or physicians who may have an interest in practicing in Wingham & District Health Centre or other local communities, please contact Pat Pietrek at 357-3210, ext. 267. RURAL MEDICINE WEEK June 12-15 was rural medicine week. The hospital was pleased to welcome Fawaz Siddiqi and Karmdeep Guran. These medical students spent the week observing our rural medical system. This program is designed to introduce medical students to rural medicine early in their training to ensure that it is considered when they choose an area of speciality. Thanks to everyone who helped make their week special. BRAIN INJURY SUPPORT GROUP Information meeting on Thursday, June 22, 7:30 p.m. at the Wingham Adult Day Centre. Kathy Lorenz-Hare will speak on the benefits of cranio sacral therapy. Meeting is open to anyone who has sustained or cares for someone who has sustained a brain injury or who has an interest in this area. MEALS ON WHEELS June marks the 30’"anniversary of the Meals on Wheels program. In recent years, we have provided more than 2000 meals per year to clients having difficulty preparing their own meals, if you would like more information on this program, please call ext. 274. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Help is needed to assist with a WALK AND TALK program at the hospital. Volunteers should be polite, sociable, patient and able to push persons in wheelchairs. Contact Lisa at ext. 296. DIABETES EDUCATION A diabetes education class will be held on June 29 from 8:30 - 3:30 p.m. Call Linda at ext. 362 to register for this program. VISITING HOURS Regular visiting hours at the hospital are from 12 noon to 8:30 p.m. We request that the public respect these hours in order to allow staff to complete their duties. CHOLESTEROL EDUCATION A cholesterol education class will be held on June 29 from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. Call Cherie ar ext. 275 to register. NEW HEALTH CARDS The Ministry of Health and Long Term Care will be at the hospital on Thursday, July 20 to register or to replace your health card for • new resident of Ontario • lost, damaged or stolen cards • marriage or surname change Three original documents are required and appointments must be made. Call the Outreach Coordinator at 519-893-4059 Phone. 357-3210 Fax. 357-2931 E-Mail: winghosp@wcl.on.ca