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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1997-07-02, Page 11New guidelines keep hospitals open Hospitals can stay open and provide 24-hour emergency care in groups framework, however the government can exert some leverage through funding said Wilson. "Eventually, the ministry will say, 'Look your funding By CARLA-ANN OUD Signal -Star Staff A new hospital restructuring framework to keep all rural and northern hospitals open with 24-hour access to emergency services seems compatible with a proposal already struck in Huron and Perth say local health care representatives. Health Minister Jim Wilson announced a restructuring framework, which is tailored to address the "unique" challenges of distance, weather conditions and retaining doctors for patients in rural and northern areas, during a press conference at Goderich's Alexandra Marine and General Hospital, June 27. While Wilson would not comment specifically on the Huron and Perth deal, he included it with Bruce -Grey Alliance and other hospital groups as "good examples of going in the right direction." "And your direction," he said, "fits very well with the framework direction." Wilson said, "What will happen at the end of the day, is that the hospitals will be open in rural Ontario -- all of the hospitals we have today. Their mix of services may change, but there is enough flexibility in the framework to let the local communities 'make that decision." He -said, "Hospital restructuring has never been about saving money... it is about finding every dollar we can in administration, in duplication and waste in the system and putting money hack into front-line services." An integrated health care system is the goal of the government, said Wilson. As a guideline to restructuring, the Rural and Northern... Health Care Framework says all rural and northern hospitals can remain open to provide services as a network. There are no details as to how it would affect bed numbers or services at specific facilities or areas. The Rural and Northern Health Care Framework directs hospitals within 40 km to form a network, sharing administration and clinical functions. It also by DorothyDublin Dillon 345-2883 Congratulations to local grads Congratulations to Jolene Mary Cronin who recently graduated from the University of Windsor with her Bachelor of Music Arts Degree (BMA). She is the daughter of Joan Cronin McMillan, formerly of Dublin. Congratulations to Tanya Marie Vansteelandt who graduated with an Honors Bachelor of Science degree with a designation in human kinetics from the University of Guelph. She is the daugh- ter of Gilbert and Ricki Vansteelandt of R.R. #2, Dublin. Congratulations to Mervin and Norma Dietz who cele- brate their 50th anniversary. Congratulations to Murray and Beatrice McNain who celebrate their 40th anniver- sary. Happy Birthday to Suzanne Shewan who will celebrate her 13th birthday on July 5. Happy birthday to Pat McMahon (husband of a for- mer Dubliner Angie Ducharme) who celebrated on June 30. The correspondent, Dorothy, wishes her sister, Madelyn Ryan, a wonderful birthday (June 30). Love always, Madelyn. A very happy birthday to these three special people. THOUGHT FOR TODAY What is more embarrassing than barking up the wrong tree? Photo by Brad Voogel Following the announcement of the Rural and Northern Health Care Framework at Alexandra Marine and General Hospital last Friday, Dr. James Rourke. talks with Huron MPP, Helen Johns, and David MacKinnon, president of the Ontario Hospital Association. Rourke was part of the 10 - member expert panel who advised the Ministry of Health. encourages hospitals to share a common medical staff and governance. The framework views hospitals according to the amount of emergency services it can provide. At the simplest level, specially -trained nurses provides 24-hour emergency care by assessing, stabilizing and treating a patient with the help. of a doctor over the phone or through telemedicine. Such a Level A facility can arrange to send a patient elsewhere as it may or may not have inpatient beds and may have at least one 24-hour observation bed. If the network is more than 40 km from a full-service emergency hospital, thcre will he at least one hospital with some acute care keds and on-call physicians to provide 24-hour care. Each"network will have at least one hospital providing an amount of care beyond that level with more advanced technological and diagnostic capabilities, and specialty care beds. • Hospitals will have more direct access to the expertise of others within the network and outside from highly specialized hospitals like Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children and Academic Health Science Centres through new communication technologies. There will also he a stronger link with community health providers which cart for people in their homes. In Huron and Perth Counties, the District Health Council accepted a proposal in March from its eight hospitals to keep all facilities open, with differing kinds of services and numbers of beds.. Since that time, hospitals have been working together to find a way to streamline its administration and government structure. David Gower, an Alexandra Marine and General Hospital board member, who has been part of ,thaLpsoeg„S.4t,jAltJ he framework gives the parameters needed to shape a single government and administration. According to figures produced by the Huron Perth District Health Council, "aggressive reductions" in administration and support would save $3.4 million. David MacKinnon, the president of the Ontario Hospital Association said he questions the need for such Serious injuries after accident A Goderich man with med- ical problems and the seven- year-old boy who was a pas- senger in the pick-up truck had "serious injuries" after an accident near Blyth June 20. Ontario Provincial Police say "at approximately 4:20 p.m. on Huron County Road 25, 1.3 km west of Highway 4 (Blyth) in East Wawanosh Township... (the) pickup dri- ven by Lawrence White, 53, of Godcnch, lost control due to a medical problem, left the roadway, struck a private laneway and rolled, coming to rest on the passenger side. "White and passenger Tyler Dare, 7, of Century Heights were both taken to Clinton hospital with serious injuries." Police comment that no charges were laid, and the pick-up was "severely dam- aged." The Blyth fire department assisted at the scene. Saddle Sisters hold meeting By Lydia Zulauf On May 13 at Bev and Sarah Broadfoot's house, the first 4-H meeting of the Saddle Sisters was held. As every 4-H group does, they started with the 4-H pledge then took a four question quiz on pasture safety. They, then, heard the min- utes of the last meeting from Laura Mustard. The members and leaders read through the first chapter of their 4-H books. The chapter is called "Home, Home on the Range". Hilrita Arts then talked about fencing and brought in some fence as well. After the test was marked. The mem- bers were informed of a field trip scheduled for May 20. The trip would be at the beautiful Windsong Acres near Elginfield. The next meeting was held on Tuesday, June 10 at 7 at Carousel Crafts and Hobbies aka Linda, Jules and Erin Vanderham's. If you would like to know more about this club or are thinking of joining please contact Hilrita Arts at 522- 0937 or Bev Broadfoot at 233-7032. cuts when administration accounts for a low proportion of total cost in one of the world's "most efficient" health care operations. However, he said the policy allows hospitals to "reinforce the direction they are already going." For the last 20 years, hospitals having been meeting every month to learn from each other. Helen Johns, the Progressive Conservative MPP for Huron said she is "optimistic" the hospitals, the District Health Council and people of Huron and Perth can come to an arrangement which would circumvent the Restructuring Commission from having to impose a solution. Fraser Bell, the executive director of the Huron Perth District Health Council, said the framework is "compatible" with its report, recognizing rural hospitals cannot met targets of those in urban settings. Dr. James Rourke, a Goderich family physician and a member of the expert panel which advised the ministry on the framework, agreed. "This is the first time any government has recognized rural health as a priority. 1t is a major step." Rourke said the framework encourages more doctors to work in rural areas because it includes training and adequate support for doctors. The Ministry of Health, the Ontario Hospital Association and Ontario Medical Association will work together to set the targets for the size of hospitals, distance between hospitals and the range of services offered, said Wilson. To prepare the hospitals for the changes, Wilson said, the ,:ministry, anti,cj.pates spending at least $11 million to improve the communications technology and the training for specialized nurses. There has been no deadline set for the implementation of the TNS HURON EXPOSITOR, Aft ;1807-11 1,401 Human Resot rCa$ u hmalr»s Canada OovolopmM SCHOOL'S OUT!! CANT FIND THE TIME TO CUT YOUR LAWN? ARE THE WEEDS IN YOUR GARDEN OUTGROWING THE FLOWERS? ANDREA, AT THE HUMAN RESOURCE CENTRE FOR STUDENTS, WOULD LIKE ALL COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO KNOW THAT THERE ARE MANY CAPABLE STUDENTS EAGER TO HELP 'WITH TASKS SUCH AS LAWN CUTTING, WEEDING, CLEANING, OR ANY OTHER ODD JOBS YOU MAY HAVE! JUST CALL 527-0305 FOR MORE DETAILS a student. Canada +1 Human Resources Development Canada Oovsloppement dos resources humalnes Canada CALLING ALL BABYSITTERS!! ARE YOU 12 YEARS OLD OR OLDER? WOULD YOU LIKE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CARING FOR CHILDREN? 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