The Citizen, 2004-11-04, Page 9THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2004. PAGE 9.
Celebrating Life theme of HAO conference
Celebrating Life was the theme for
the 15th annual conference of
Hospice Associations of Ontario
(HAO), of which the Wingham and
Area Palliative Care Association is a
member.
Kathy Procter, the executive
director of the WAPC, Muriel
Coultes, chair of the board and Bev
Brown, fundraising chairperson
attended the conference at the
Nottawasaga Inn in Alliston, Oct.
14-16.
Early Friday morning it was
announced that MPP Donna
Cansfield from Etobicoke Centre
had introduced a private member's
notice of motion in the provincial
government on Thursday, and that
the vote would be held in the house
on Friday. This notice of motion
reads "that in the opinion of this
House. the Minister of Health and
Long-Term Care should, within one
year, introduce a strategy that deals
comprehensively and in an
integrated manner with the provision
of palliative care in Ontario."
Janet Napper, executive director of
HAO attended the Friday session of
Parliament and witnessed a
unanimous vote by all three parties
on this motion. This is the first time
in history that all three parties voted
unanimously, which was followed
by numerous MPPs rising and
stating their views on how important
palliative care is in Ontario. Napper
reported this historic event to the
over 350 excited participants at the
conference.
Another highlight on Saturday
morning was the award ceremony —
the June Callwood Circle of
Outstanding Volunteers. Callwood,
although suffering a severe terminal
illness herself, attended, and after
speaking to the conference, award
winners and families, presented 49
volunteers from across Ontario who
had been nominated by their own
hospice group, with their awards.
June MacEwan of Gorrie was
nominated by the Wingham and
Area Palliative Care, but could not
attend the event. Muriel Coultes
received that award on her behalf
and has presented that award to June.
This is a great honour for all those
nominated by being recognized by
their own peers for their
achievements in palliative volunteer
work.
Mrs. Coultes attended the annual
general meeting, held Saturday
afternoon, with the chairs of
hospices across Ontario where more
exciting news was reported. Bruce
Peer, chair of the HAO reported that
a Charter for End-of-Life Care in
Ontario had been agreed upon by 25
various health and care agencies.
across the province.
This had been a work in progress
for quite some time and after several
drafts the final charter was
approved.
It reads: "How we treat those who
are dying in our community reflects
who we are as a society. All
Ontarians have the right to die with
dignity, to have access to physical,
psychological, bereavement and
spiritual care, and to be granted the
respect consistent with other phases
of life.
"As professional, volunteer and
family representatives of Ontario's
hospices palliative care community,
we are committed to providing the
best possible quality end-of-life care
to Ontario residents and their
families. Our goal is to optimize
their quality of life and to minimize
the physical and emotional suffering
associated with this phase of life."
"We endorse an integrated
approach focused on the individual
and their family and caregivers,
accessible through hospice palliative
care services in the local community
and tailored to individual needs."
"Our efforts to increase awareness
and availability of quality and
integrated end-of-life care run
parallel to our collaboration with
government, social agencies and
other decision makers to develop
innovative clinical, community and
public policy strategies."
"On behalf of the residents of
Ontario whom we serve, we speak
with a unified and cohesive voice,
share information and resources and
work through a co-ordinated
network of partners from the
voluntary, public and professional
sectors."
This Charter means that all
healthcare providers in any sector of
the health-care field will work
together and share resources, to
provide the best care possible for
end-of-life situations. Ontario is the
only province across Canada to have
all agencies agree to the wording of
this charter, and this information will
be shared as requested across the
country.
Information shared at the meeting
showed that in 1989, there were nine
hospices in Ontario with
approximately 1,000 volunteers
serving around 12 communities.
In 2004, just 15 short years later —
there are 90 hospices and their
13,300 volunteers dedicate 630,000
hours of care in more than 450
communities throughout this
province.
Hospice volunteer numbers
continue to grow, even though the
latest Statistics Canada report noted
that since its last report, Canada has
one million fewer volunteers.
Friday night's musical
entertainment included Dini Petty.
She shared her talent with Kelly
Walker, Susan Cooper and Mark
Dubois.
Each of the participants were able
to attend five workshops during the
two-day conferences.
Congrats
Josie MacDonald was the
recipient of some awards at
F.E. Madill Secondary
School's commencement on
Oct. 22. Among them was the
Blyth Festival scholarship and
the Teachers - Festival Liaison
Council scholarship. (Elyse
DeBruyn photo)
WINGHAM & DISTRICT HOSPITAL HIGHLIGHTS
November, 2004
"Excellence in Rural Health Care"
NOTICE OF RESTRICTED SERVICES
Thursday, November 11, 2004 will be observed as a Statutory Holiday at Wingham
& District Hospital. Emergency Services only will be provided as is our practice for
any Statutory Holiday.
ONTARIO HEALTH COVERAGE
Need a new or replacement health card? The Ministry of Health will be at the hospital
on November 25, 2004. An appointment must be booked by calling 1-888-376-5197.
Phone: 357-3210 Fax: 357-2931 Website: www.Iwha.ca
Lucky man
Joel VanCamp of Belgrave, the winner of the Belgrave park enhancement committee and
Belgrave Kinsmen car raffle, accepts the keys from Sue Richmond at the Halloween Dance
last weekend. The raffle raised $8,500 for the Belgrave park enhancement project. (Photo
submitted)
Don't lose this number!
524-9381
N/C estimates If work
recommended.
Free ride to area shopping available!
Flee Drop-off & pIck-up servicel
David Demaray and Cathy Pokorny were married on
Wednesday, October 27 at the home of her parents in Essex,
Ontario. Immediate family members were present to witness the
double ring ceremony. Many tears of joy were shed at the
intimate affair. The newlyweds reside in McGregor, Ontario
where David is a train conductor for CP Rail.
346 Huron Road, Goderich 524-9381 or 1-800-338-11V ,