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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2000-09-06, Page 10PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2000. Staffing challenges WDH By Jim Brown Wingham Advance-Times Staffing posed many challenges during the summer months, particu­ larly in the nursing department, Clinical Leader Liz Phelan reported to the Wingham District Hospital board recently. She said the nursing staff should be commended for their efforts Staff was called in from vacation, during weekends off and often double shift­ ed in order to cover all of the patient care areas. She said she has-been at the hospi­ tal for 11 years, and this was the most challenging summer ever. “The com­ mitment to patient care demonstrated by the nursing staff goes far beyond the call of duty,” said Phelan. “We would ask the support of the physi­ cians and the board members to rec­ ognize the nursing commitment to the Wingham and District Hospital " When asked how the board mem­ bers and physicians could recognize the nursing staff, Phelan said a sim­ ple ‘job well done’ would be suffi­ cient. Board member Judith Gaunt sug­ gested the board post letters around the hospital so everyone could see them. Site Administrator Margret Comack stated the board should Hospital staff to get vaccine By Jim Brown Wingham Advance-Times The Wingham and District Hospital will be working with the Huron Public Health Department this fall in regards to the influenza vaccination program. Vice-President and Site Administrator Margret Comack told the hospital board recently the Ministry of Health will provide the vaccine in September for the elderly, children and hospital staff. The police and fire departments will be vaccinated in October and the community at large will be done in November. According to Comack, the MOH will provide funding to support the hospital in the provision of commu­ nity programs. An information meeting is set for Toronto this week, which will pro­ vide more information in the process involved. Hospital Clinical Leader Liz Phelan noted Nancy Brown is co­ ordinating the staff and patient vac­ cine flu plan to be implemented in the fall. Brown is working with the county and the Huron Perth Hospitals Partnership. COMMUNITY FORUM Comack reported the HPHP’s Strategic Planning Committee will be conducting a number of commu­ nity forums this fall as a means of obtaining input from the community. The community forum in Wingham is set for Sept. 19 at the Armouries, beginning at 7 p.m. The forum will be hosted by the hospital board and facilitated by Verna Stettler, Comack and Pat Pietrek. Steffler asked the board for some direction for the pre-forum advertis­ ing. “Do we ask the people what we want and what more we need?” she said. She wondered if they should talk about the services provided at the hospital. “A lot of people don't know what services are provided here and they don’t realize a lot of specialists do come to Wingham on a regular basis,” said Steffler. RECRUITMENT Comack said Dr. Sanford Clare thank all the staff with a special recognition to the nurses. Medical Staff President Dr. Charles Omole said ah open letter should be written to the staff. Phelan said they are actively recruiting a temporary dietitian to replace Cherri Dolmage. She indicat­ ed an application has been received from Halifax, Nova Scotia, with an interview being held on Sept. 15. Over the summer, three employees qualified for the new national reha­ bilitation reporting system. According to Phelan, another six will trained as assessors during September. “By Oct. 1, we expect to be implementing this assessment system,” she said. “There will be training costs associated with the program. We will be able to evaluate the functional effectiveness of our rehab program by comparing our results with other facilities across Canada and the world.” She reported cell phones will not be permitted in the patient care areas, due to the interference they create. She noted this is especially true in the emergency and intensive care unit. They are in the process of hav­ ing designating signs which be post­ ed at every entrance to the hospital. According to Phelan, the air condi­ tioning project should be completed by the third week in September. will begin his practice at the on Sept. 5. Wingham and District Health Centre Continued on page 16 PEOPLE AROUND CRANBROOK By Peter Hagedoom Call 887-6935 Congratulations to Debbie Campbell and Lester Burch who became parents "on the happy arrival of a 6 lb. 7 oz. baby boy, Spencer Lloyd Burch. The following item was sent in by Pat Moran. “On Sunday, Aug. 6, Lloyd and Vera Weber. Pat and Patsy Moran (son-in-law and daughter), Courtney and Adam Sands (great­ grandchildren), all of Listowel left We Specialize in Quality European Appliances Brands: AEG • Miele • Bosch • Huebsch • Woods • Crosley • Zenith • LG * Fall Blow-out* Bosch Dishwasthers "Hear the difference quality makes" starting as low as $729. Hours: Mon. - Fri. 9-5:30; Sat. 10-4 Countryside Appliances (previously AEG Countryside) 646 Campbell St. P.O. Box 149, Lucknow Ontario. NOG 2H0 Phone Toll Free 519-528-2445 Fax 519-528-2401 1-800-731-7787 LIVING WITH STROKE EDUCATION: The Rehabilitation Centre is offering the Heart and Stroke Foundation’s “Living with Stroke’’ program. This program is designed to help stroke survivors and their caregivers understand stroke and provides a basis for communication with others in similar situations. The program will be held weekly, starting Wednesday, September 6, from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. Contact Mary Skinn, ext. 293 to register or for further information. COMMUNITY FORUM: On Tuesday, September 19 the Hospital will be holding a community forum at the Wingham Armouries Building at 7:00 p.m. Community input is being sought in response to the following questions: 1. What is your perception of the current care in your local hospital? 2. How can we improve? Are there gaps in service? 3. What are your views regarding the Huron Perth Partnership vision for care delivery for the future? 4. What types of care programs do you expect to be provided at your local hospital? 5. Are there services that you travel to London for that could be provided in Huron Perth? 6. Other comments? All community members are welcome to attend. DIABETIC EDUCATION CLASSES: The next group program will be held on Tuesday, September 26, in the Diabetic Education Classroom at the Hospital. Please call Linda Kieffer at 357-3210, ext. 362 to register. A doctor’s referral is required. HOSPITAL AUXILIARY TEA The tea is being held on Monday, September 11 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the home of Evelyn Galbraith. For more information call Brenda Anger at 357-3889. Everyone is welcome to attend. Phone: 357-3210 Fax: 357-2931 E-Mail: winghosp@wcl.on.ca Getting set up Though the skies were grey and the wind cool, Thresher Association members were out in force Monday to prepare for the 39th annual Huron Pioneer Thresher Reunion and Hobby Show in Blyth, Sept. 8-10. While some had the task of positioning antique farm equipment, oth­ ers set up the saw mill, put up perimeter fencing, moved bleachers-and cleaned booths. for a very enjoyable motor trip east, going over the Champlain Bridge and through the La Fontaine Tunnel in Montreal, Quebec, seeing the world’s longest covered bridge in Hartland and Magnetic Hill in Moncton, New Brunswick. We crossed the Confederation Bridge to P.E.I. and visited the home of Anne of Green Gables in Cavendish, P.E.I. In Windsor, Nova Scotia we saw Howard Dill’s Atlantic Giant Pumpkin (Lloyd always orders his pumpkin seeds from there). We went to the wedding of Pat’s nephew in Joggins (Nova Scotia) and returned home late Tuesday evening, Aug. 15.” Cranbrook welcomes the Swart family to the community. They moved last weekend into what people here know as the “Dunn House”. WINGHAM & DISTRICT HOSPITAL HIGHLIGHTS