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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1996-12-11, Page 5TNI HURON IXPOSITOR, D.aembor 11, 1!!-i Health concerns from an agricultural perspective Don'tpit towns against each other g Dear Editor: The following is u letter sent to Fraser Bell, the Executive Director of the Huron -Perth District Health Council. Dear Mr. Bell: The Huron Federation of Agriculture would• like to respond to the recent report by the Hospital Restructuring Committee. Firstly, agriculture is, according to a study done this year by Professor Harry Cummings of the University of Guelph, directly responsi- ble for at least one in every three jobs in Huron County. This makes agriculture the largest economic activity in Huron County. The Huron Federation of Agriculture is most concerned that the spe- cific, and possibly even gen- eral health care needs of the agricultural community may not have been given the prop- er weighting, or even consid- ered at all, in the analysis and evaluation leading up to the Task Force report. We wonder. for example, how the health care needs of the rapidly expanding Amish community in the study area could ever possibly have been determined in a telephone survey, since the Amish do not use telephones'? This is only one of a number of very fundamental and very obvi- ous structural flaws we see in the entire process. We now realize that we should have been more force- ful and more strident in pre- senting the position of the agricultural community, but as a volunteer organization, we have a limited ability to deal with a great range of issues concerning our mem- bers. The Huron Federation of Agriculture is completely opposed to any process which pits community against com- munity. The bitterness and resentment will he felt and remembered in each disen- franchised community long after the real or imagined financial gains have been for- gotten. The agricultural community has a long standing 'concern with health care. It was the farmers of Saskatchewan and their leaders who, 60 years ago during the Great Depression. first developed the basis of- our Canadian health care system. If, 60 years ago, we in agriculture had been swayed by people who said that we couldn't afford to have universal health care, our Canadian health care system would never have gotten off the ground.The agricultural com- munity has been besieged for 60 years, from all sides, about the high costs of providing health care to its members. Our response for all that time has been, and continues to be, that we can't afford not to be providing the best possible care available. What we can afford has never been the rel- evant issue. What we can't afford to be without has always been, and continues to be, the only issue of relevance to us. The agricultural community requires a full range of med- ical services from pediatrics to geriatrics. It makes sense to us to have these services at one location, and it also makes sense to have these services available locally in order to best utilize the advantages of being among family and friends when med- ical services are needed and to reduce mental stress and financial inconvenience for patients and their families when they have to travel to distant health care facilities. In economic terms, the farther we have to go to health care, the more it costs us in terms of lost productivity. We are concerned that our lost pro- ductivity and increased costs under any of the proposed options were not evaluated, or even considered, by the Task Force. Because of agriculture's long history of involvement with health issues, we have never accepted, and do not now accept, the premise that health care should be subject to across-the-board cuts. We cannot help but believe the across -the -board -cuts pro- posed for health care are not in the best interests of small town and rural Ontario in general, and are definitely not in the best interests of the agricultural industry in Huron County. To us, proposals for across-the-board health care cuts closely reflect the type of thinking that opposed univer- sal health care in the first place. To maintain our own competitive advantage, the largest industry in Huron County cannot afford to lose any of the health services now available to its members and their families, and we absolutely cannot afford to have community pitted against community in, what we believe, is a misguided and badly flawed exercise. In summary, the Huron Federation of Agriculture strongly supports the follow- ing principles: 1. No facility or community can be pitted against any other. 2. Representatives from agriculture, the largest eco- nomic base in Huron, must be included in proportionate numbers for any and all future studies and consultations. 3. Agriculture cannot afford to lose any health care ser- vices and facilities. 4. If the task at hand is as important as claimed, it is important to do it correctly, not quickly. Sincerely, Stephen Thompson, Past -President, Huron County Federation of Agriculture Do we�know what other hospitals offer? Dear Edi 1 am writing thisi letter with regardst to the hospital 1 restructuring in-1uron-Perth. First of all, as a satisfied "customer" of Clinton Public Hospital (CPH), I feel aban- doned, forsaken, ignored, Worthless, and forgiotten by the restructuring options. process. As a Reyistcred Nurse employed at CPH I feel all those same senti- ments and more. In the DHC report they don't mention individual hospital's strengths and weaknesses, no mention of "you're doing a good job hut," or "this is what you're good at hut." There's just no option at all , for CPH and others. The criteria listed for mak- ing the DH,C decision i.e.h • coordination, quality, access, • etc.1 could apply to any of the hospitals in thc counties, which leads,to the conclusion that those who remain it the options arc Netter facilities and that's why they've come through unscathed (so far). )So now we have communi- ties at each other's throats, hospital turf protection which has been on-going is being fortified and barriers already present in the past are being reinforced All this is tearing us apart bit by bit, causing wounds that may never heal, all at a critical time when we should he working together and standing as a united whole. I attended thc Scaforth Public Information Meeting re: the DHC proposals last week and a young lady stood up and stated she knekv what Seaforth had to offer as a hospital but at the same time, she wondered what other area hospitals offered. She wanted to make an informed decision on her choice of the options. The answer she got from Scaforth Hospital's CEO was vague and not all together correct. Even he wasn't sure what other hospitals had to offer. By the way, Clinton deliv- ers 175-200 babies a year, has two anesthetists, two sur- geons we share with other hospitals, one in-house sur- geon for C-sections and three internists we share with other hospitals. To be fair though, I'm not sure all that Seaforth has to offer either, whichis' the problem with all this I think: I feel all our cards should be laid on the table. Take all the hospitals from both counties and list what they have to offer as far as patient services, facility fea- tures, medical man power, budget, community support, equipment, ALL their strengths and weaknesses. Most important, costing should be figured into ALL of this. True hospital costing is one thing sadly missing in the DHC report. • The three options were cho- sen with no costing consider- ations whatsoever. Furthermore, when the one "option" is chosen front the Save hospitals of Huron Huron realihe that there arc to any principal, and they will he cuts and reductions to , inform you that, on average, health care; in any given week, each And whereas restructuring school may have need of and financial responsibility emergency services several can he accompanied without times per week. We must direct hospital closures; remember, also, that some The Huron Women Huron County hospitals do Teachers' Association and its not simply draw from Huron executive support the citizens and • Perth Counties of Huron County in their but may also pull in clients campaign to save the hospi- from northern Middlesex and tats of Huron County. Lambton counties, and from We support the retention of southern Bruce County - scrvices at all Huron County areas containing several sites. All of the towns which schools which arc at a dis- currently'have`hospital sites tancc from any other medical experience a high daily influx services. of student population - many Should two hospital centres from areas outside the actual in Huron be closed; schools hospital drawing arca. These in some areas of the county towns may contain as many would be obliged to over - as five schools, with other come time and distance to access emergency care from CONTINUED on page 6 Dear Editor: The fo:!. t'ing is a portion of a letter sent to the Premier, the Minister of Health and our Local MPP by the Huron Women Teachers' Association concerning hos- pital closures in Huron: - Dear Mr. Premier: Whereas the Honorable Jim Wilson. Minister of Health has announced an 18% reduction to thc health sys- tem which could result in major cuts to hospital ser- vices, reductions in medical/surgical keds and possible closures of hospi- tals; Whereas the futures of thc hospitals within Huron County arc currently under review by the Huron -Perth District Health Council; rural schools also dependent Whereas thc citizens of upon hospital services. Ask How many more Senor Macieiras must die? CONTINUED from page 4 Royal Portuguese Brandy. Namely, Five Star Macicira. witnessed this mayhem began You can't fault a guy for clearing hags away from the trying to help like that but I arca at the top of the escalator do think we should have laws so those still on it, wouldn't in place to have people like trip upon arrival. him humanely executed. He -- and it hurts me to this So happy just to be alive, day to say this -- with good the two women wandered off intentions, kicked my • toward thc luggage arca shoulder hag out of the way without a "thank you" or a and smashed my bottle of "desculpe-me." Surviving is a snap I thought, as I plodded through Terminal # I , a steady stream of brandy coming out of my leather bag. Do-gooding is rough. How many more Senor Maciciras must die before Pearson Airport security put up signs in Portuguese that say: "Watch your step. Ours move." current three, only that option will be costed. To make that clear, only those three or four hospitals in the chosen option will actually be studied cost - wise which is RIDICU- LOUS. I feel.we should take all this aforementioned information from every hospital and pre- sent it to the DHC and Task Force to be analyzed. Then, and onlythen, should the • DHC be allowed to come up with further options on which we, the residents of Huron - Perth, can make a truly informed and educated choice. In closing, I plead to the DHC and Task Force, slow down the process. Take more facts and figures and more informative criteria into con- sideration and take more time to make that decision. Your decision is going to affect every person living in Huron - Perth. Sincerely, Sandra Robinson, RN RR.3 Kippen Save hospitals or museum? Dear Editor: With the recent announce- - ment that the Exeter, Clinton and Wingham Hospitals may close, it might be time to seriously look at what ratepayers of Huron County could possibly be forced to support in 1997. Priorto the approval of the 1997 county budget, munici- pal politicians should be con- sulting with their constituents to determine if there may be "non essential" county facili- ties that could close first, to save the hospitals. I would think that the Huron County Museum would he a good place to start. The 1996 operating budget for the museum was over $400,000 half of that wages. My suggestion would be to sell the museum artifacts and the building. County council could then offer financial support that could possibly save the hospitals. It's your county - ask your- self in these financially tight times, if I had to choose between a local hospital or a museum, which would I ask my municipal politician to support. W. Peter Fydenchuk Huron Park Take a back seat to no one CONTINUED from page 4 "our" hospital and if you have never used the hospital, perhaps you know someone who has and realize how for- tunate we are in being able to have many of our ills taken care of without having to leave the town. Most all of us have been touched in one way or anoth- er by sickness and how reas- suring it is to know we are only minutes away from help. This hospital has to take a back seat to no one. It is teers and service clubs who help in keeping our hospital in the forefront shows a car- ing community. In the preliminary studies by the "health council," Seaforth's position looks promising. However, do not be complacent and think this is a "done deal." Everyone is fighting for their life, some more than others. The hospi- tal is the hub of the town, and if we lose it or even part, it will take the heart out of the community. professional and most of all, P.M. Reid caring. The number of volun- Seaforth Support Christmas Seals Dear Editor: One in five Canadians suf- fers from some sort of breath- ing problem. Every twenty minutes, each day, another Canadian diesifrom some form of respiratory disease, the third leading cause of death in this country. During this season of good- will, Canadians have tradi- tionally given of themselves with donations to the Christmas Seal Campaign to support the work of The Lung Association. Together we found a cure for tubercu- losis, once the number one killer of Canadians. Today we must work together to fight all lung disease. Donations to the Christmas Seal Campaign are used to support educational pro- grams, such as the Air Force Asthma Program and the Lungs Are For Life School Program, right here in Huron and Perth Counties. The pro- ceeds are also used to fund vital medical research. This year, we are struggling to meet our financial goal but arc optimistic that we will reach our target because the people of Huron and Pcrth Counties have generously supported this campaign for many years. Please continue the tradition of caring by sup- porting the Christmas Seal Campaign. • Remember, Christmas Seals work year round to give life and breath to millions of Canadians, And that's the most precious Christmas gift of all. Thank you for your sup- port, and all the best in this holiday season. Yours Sincerely, Clayton HefleY Volunteer Chairman The Lung Association Huron -Perth Counties Usborne & Hibbert Mutual Fire Insurance Company Exeter, Ontario NOM 1S1 • (Established in 1876) Provides Full Insurance Coverage for Farm Properties New Applications Are Welcomed DIRECTORS & ADJUSTORS Larry Gardner, R.R. 2 Stab 345.2678 Morris Wilows, R.R. 2 St Pauls 393-6548 Lome Feeney Jack Hodgert, R.R.1 Kirkton 229-6152 Joe Chatfe, R.R. 5 Mitchell 1 348-9105 Michael O'Shea. R.R. 3Granton 225-2600 AGENTS Wayne Mayer, Exeter • 235-1915 John Moore, Dublin 345-2512 J.P. Uniac, Mitchel ' 348-9012 Head Office, Exeter 235-0350 A refund from surplus was declared for All policy hold- ers who qualify, are on record and in good standing as at December 31, 1995. Q Ontario 1996 PROPERTY ASSESSMENT The 1996 assessment rolls, which list the assessed value of each property in a municipality, will be delivered to municipal clerks on December 17, 1996. • Property taxes for 1997 will be based on these values. The final date for property owners or tenants to appeal the 1996 property assessment is January 7, 1997. If you have any questions about your assessment, please contact the assessment office responsible for your municipality. The address and telephone number are in the Government of Ontario section of the Blue Pages of your telephone directory. Please look under the Ministry of Finance - Property Assessment. The assessment office will also be able to provide you with information on appealing your assessment. Assessment appeals are heard by an independent tribunal called the Assessment Review Board. There is a fee for filing an appeal. The Board is also responsible for setting the dates for hearing appeals. If you appealed your 1995 assessment for the 1996 taxation year and the Board has not yet set a hearing date, you do not have to file a new appeal.