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Home My WebLink AboutThe Huron Expositor, 1995-01-25, Page 7Community Long-term care throwing 'baby out with bath water' BY MARK CRIPPS former Huron Expositor reporter The Government of Ontario's plan to streamline long-term health care services is 'like throwing the baby out with the bath water,say a number of Huron County health care professionals. That was the stain public senti- ment expressed during a rnecting at the MacKay Centre on Tuesday to discuss a controversial bill that will see a complete overhaul of the system of long-term care for an increasing population of senior citizens. Huron MPP Paul Klopp and Iiealth Ministry spokesperson Linda Girard fielded a number of concerns about MSAs, multiservice agencies, that arc required to be up -and -run- ning within the next four years. "MSAs will make sure that ftltnr" generations have an adequate tem," said Klopp. This bill, Bill 173, first . about after consultations held 10-1z years ago. "Wc want to have an efficient system. Right now there are over 10,000 agencies dealing with long- term care. In the future, under Bill 173, there will only be about 200. That's going to .keep the cost of health care down." But members of Huron county health care professions arc worried they'll be affected by the bill. They say this arca already has a cost- efficient and superior service, and they can't understand why the gov- ernment would want to force them to change. Under the law, which was enacted by the Ontario government in prep- aration for an expected jump in the amount of people requiring long- term home care, home nursing services in an arca will be amalga- mated and centralized. Once centralized, these MSAs will become a familiar part of the health landscape in Ontario. At the MSAs, those requiring care, such as the elderly or handi- capped, will receive one stop shop- ping for all their home -care needs. In the past, people requiring spe- cific cart have been faced with a multitude of different agencies and phone numbers. But for Huron County homecare service providers, this type of sys- tem is already in place and has received support from care - receivers. "An MSA will be like having only one grocery store in Goderich," said local businessman Doug Fines. "MSAs won't provide a substantial decrease in the amount of administration. It's tight in Huron County right now." Fines said Huron County home- care professionals listened to con- cerns from seniors about the need for a one number system service directory. "We already have that," he said. "We don't need to turn the whole system upside down." Girard said there was been a lot of speculation about what will happen oncc MSAs arc established. "Wc don't know if it will cost more or less," she said. "But we do know that there arc problems in the current system. We spend $35 million a year for long-term care. Can we just keep adding to that total?" Also at Tuesday's meeting, con- cerns were raised about union- ization and the exodus of valuable volunteers in the current home -care system who are loyal to their agencies, but may not carry that sentiment into government -run MSAs. Former Huron County Medical Officer of Health Dr. Harry Cieslar said there seems to be a need under Bill 173 for all agencies to come under one union. "Is there a movement to put everyone under one union?" said Cieslar. "I'm not against unions, but one powerful union could cause a lot of problems. "If there was one union, will people who don't belong to a union want to join? Will they lose their jobs to unionized workers?" Klopp admitted that the currcnt legislation gives preference to administration personnel that are unionized, but claimed unionization with MSAs "would not affect the front-line workers." Fines said that once MSAs are implemented, "we are going to see all long -terns services at the mercy of the public service unions." The establishment of MSAs in Ontario might have benefits for some areas, but in Huron County, home -care professionals can't understand why the government wants to tamper with the estab- lished system. Klopp,said that there is no choice concerning MSAs. "Under Bill 173, you have to have a MSA in plape. "However, there is ongoing dis- cussion about what is going on. TIM CUMtrIINO PHOTO HURON COUNTY GIRLS' CHAMPIONS - The Senior Girls' volleyball team of St. James Separate School in Seaforth won the Huron County championship for schools in the Separate School system. The team is (front row) Kim Janmaat, Stephanie Dale, Natalie Dale, Nicole Munro, Danielle Kistner, (second Holmes, Melissa Van Bakel, Tricia Jansen, Claire Eckert, Jessica Finlayson, Lorraine Blake • ascot Gayle Van Beek. _ TME HURON EXPOSITOR, January 29, 19--7 Do you or someone you know require a(blitioII(tl entre .s lI WE ARE PLEASED 'F() (►ITER•.. .r. y1 s1( Air,i 1 11 CONVALESCENT (ARE, ANI) 1 VA(:A'I'ION STAYS IN A HOME -LIKE ATMOSPHERE ItEN: • t - To discuss your individual needs please contact Chicly De Groef tit SEAFORTH MANOR RETIREMENT IIOME 527-0030 100 Jrtutea Street Seaford' 5'1( 5o'• TIM CUMMING PHOTO HURON COUNTY BOYS' CHAMPIONS - The Senior Boys volleyball team at St. James School were Huron County Separate School champions recently. The team is (front) Matt Craig and Russell Becker, (second row) Ryan VanDooren, Tim Devereaux, Steve Phillips, Barry Noakes and (back row) mascot Tommy Simonsen, Brock Hardie, Ben Vanden Hengel, Jason MacKenzie, Rob Janmaat, Dan O'Reilly and Michael Thibert. Nursery visits Manor Seaforth Nursery School entertained for a delightful morning of singing and games at Seaforth Manor Nursing Home. Residents and staff enjoy the visits of_these children every month! Seaforth Manor residents also enjoyed a Bible Study group led by Rev. James Sloan. The bowling morning continues to be a fun event with the assistance of the grade seven class from Seaforth Public School. Bill Gibson entertained for a wonderful evening of music and singing. They also enjoyed an afternoon of euchre with the volunteers. Church services this past week were led by Rev. Sloan from First Presbyterian Church. 527-0430 The OBVIOUS CHOICE jSeaforth Manor Nursing -Home Residents and staff arc looking forward to the Robbie Burns Day program and Birthday party featuring the 'Notes of Yesteryear.' The Manor is currently planning a Doll Show, Bake Sale and Mother's Day Tea for Thursday, May 11 from 2-4 p.m. The nursing home hope to display a collection of dolls from staff, residents, families and friends. If you have any dolls you wish to display please call Cheryl Phillips at 527-0030. HENSALL SHUFFLEBOARD January 17, 1995 High six game winners: Dave Kyle (486); Hazel McEwan (475); Pat Davis (463); Alice Thiel (449); Isabelle Rogerson (436); Pearl McKnight (425); Russcll Ferguson (424); Lloyd Lovell (390). If you wish to secure a lifetime income from an RRSP or are interested in other RRSP investments at very competitive rates, call Arnold J. Stinnissen 527-0410 SunLife SALE • SALE • SALE °U OFF ALL IN STOCK CLOTHING & ACCES. New Ski-doo Still Available • Mach Z • Formula SS • Formula Z • Formula STX • Formula STX LT (2) • Touring LE • Formula SL • Formula S • MX Z • MX • Touring SLE 527-0120 SEAFORTH Husgvarna Chams.ws POulan Pio Outdoor Power Products Oregon Saw Chain Windsor Saw Chain GLEN SAWS RR 113 Clinton Over 40 Years o/ Service S Dependability W. Gordon Glen -Home 482-9292 233-3175 L. McGRATH PLUMBING AND HEATING INC. Seaforth 522-0493 JIM ANDERSON Larry McGrath Licenced Rioter I Gas Freer Cate Today! ...Natural Gas Installation Service Repairs TREE MOVING SERVICE 523-4894 Trees bought and So CASEY : N BAKEL ELECTRICAL & PLUMBING 522-1558 RESIDENTIAL & FARM EGMONDVILLE IRIIIIIIIIIIL_ _ SEAFORTH PLUMBING & HEATING AIR CONDITIONING 527-0505 BILL HOLMAN Plumbing, Gas Fumaces, Gas Fireplaces, Gas Appliances, Boilers Sold, Installed, Serviced and Guaranteed SHOWROOM 15 Goderlch St. E. Seaforth Satellite Systems • Home Security Off Air Antennas • TV & Stereo Systems Economical Financing JOHN STAHLKE 25 McGregor St. Ph & Fax Stratford, Ontario 519) 271.4982 N4Z 166 W.D. HOPPER AND SONS 4 Modern Rotary Rigs NEIL DURL 522-1737 271-7860 adriatateal'U /S 1 WATER GUARANTEED SINCE Iles -9INERE R000ER Gors THE WATER rLows' Brick, Block, Stonework, Chimney Repairs. Fireplaces, Pointing CaII 522-0208 527-2891, 522-0514 SILLS 527-1620 Professor Purewater Available... 'You Just can't make it any better" 'Paint 'Housewares •Gifts Plumbing Heating Electrical Supplies *Glass & ScreeningRepairs 'Tool Rental 'Home ofHandyman' 69 Main Street, Seaforth PLAN OF THE WEEK PLAN NO. U-883 DELUXE FAMILY HOME by M. TYNAN Copyright 1994 Enter into a spacious foyer open to the second storey and brightened by an overhead window. A large open plan for the living and dining room creates a spacious area for entertaining and features a boxed out window seat with a palladian feature window, and a decorative column which marks the midpoint between the two areas. A u -shaped cupboard and counter layout in the kitchen provides an efficient working area. As well, the kitchen features a work island, a pantry, and a bayed out breakout area. The family room, comfortably large and open to the kitchen, offers a perfect area for informal gatherings. Sliding glass down lead from the family room to an extra large sundeck. Upstairs, all three bedrooms are a good site. Prench doors lead into a spectacular muter bedroom featuring a sitting area, a walk-in closet, and a five piece ensuite with an oversized shower and a raised swirl tub set into a bay. The games room features a vaulted ceiling and a boxed out window seat with a palladian window. An unfinished basement awaits your own creative touch. Plana for U-883 may be obtained for $475.00 for a package of five complete sets of working pints and $45.00 for each additional set of the lame plan. Allow $15.00 extra to cover the cost of postage and handling (B.C. residents add applicable sales tax to plan total) (All Canadian residents add 7% OST to plan total plus postage and handling). This is one of our new designs. Many innovative plants are now available in our NEW 30th edition plan catalogue for $13.85 including postage and handling and 7% OST. Please make all cheques, money orders; and Visa or MasterCard authorizations ppaayyable 1o: Tynan Features c/o. The Huron Expositor Plan of the Week, 13659 - 108 Avenue, Surrey, B.C., V3T 2k4. HOFFMEYER'S MILL BUILDING SUPPLIES • WINDOWS • DOORS • CIL PAINTS • INSULATION • HARDWARE • HARDWOOD • CUSTOM MILLWORK SERVING YOUR COMMUNITY FOR OVER 80 YEARS wa •.•r K.rive M 527-091 U SE2 AFORTH Residential MORTGAGES •Competitive rates For more information call 527-1927 G. 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