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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1998-05-27, Page 5Ad's Tipple • Junior .oholr mem re from the North Sidi United Church wIN bo performing Adam's Apple at the May 31; 11 a.m. service. The choir has been practising since September every Thursday afternoon for this performance and special Christmas and Easter • performances. The cast includes: Brett Moffett, Stacie Giller, Angela Hoomaert, Katrina Yee, Tory Scott, Jacquelyn Denham, Natalie Woldnik, Stephanie Weber, Tyler Hart, Stacey Hart, Jeffery Denham, Kayla Sereres and Brent Vincent. Absent is Jusntin Yee and David and Sarah Sobey. Directing the program is Audrey McLlwain. She is assisted by Nancy Denham and Margaret Whitmore on piano. Hospital partnership evolving BY SCOTT HILGENDORFF Expositor Editor While the future of Huron and Perth hospitals has been secured, how they function continues to evolve following the first meeting of a newly formed partnership. The partnership follows about two years of work between the Huron Perth District Health Council and a working group of hospital boards and administrators from eight hospitals affected by a study conducted by the health council. "They were recommending a merger. We've developed a partnership," said Seaforth Community Hospital Administrator Bill Thibert. The first meeting of new partnership board took place in. Stratford May 13 following the successful formation of a partnership agreement between the eight hospitals earlier this month. The partnership is expected to save $3.4 million through changes in administration and support programs for the area hospitals. But there is a total potential cost saving of $10.4 million. The partnership board, following in the footsteps of a joint executive committee, was formed to look after developing how administration and services would change. The committee consists of three members from each of the eight hospital boards, meeting requirements of the Corporations Act. "There's the potential that the process could be cumbersome." said Thibert. The new board has the task of generating the $3.4 million the DHC indicated could be saved in a 1997 report when that organization was looking at a restructuring plan that would have closed three hospitals in the two counties. "It's in all our best interests to make this work," said Thibert. "If the partnership arrangement doesn't work, what is the alternative. All eight hospitals have a vested interested in making the partnership work." The partnership has already worked out a new food services system that could save about $1 million between the hospitals. The board still has to look at three other areas: finance and information technology, materials management and administration. These functions in the hospital will all be maintained through the partnership while each hospital still maintains its autonomy through keeping its individual hospital boards. Two weeks ago, the board took its first steps toward how the partnership will handle the three other areas. It formed a search committee that will develop and recommend the process to be followed for forming a single administration' for the hospitals. That committee is expected to make a report by mid- June. As the partnership evolves, it could reach into other areas of hospital operation. Also at the ineeting, Dr. Kerry Blagrave, board chair of the Listowel Memorial Hospital was appointed chair of the partnership board. The story so far... Plan formed to keep all eight hospitals open in Huron -Perth *In October, 1996, the Huron Perth District Health Council released a study recommending significant downsizing of all eight hospitals in Huron and Perth County. Three hospitals including Clinton,. faced possible closure. .*'Tho District Health Council held a seriea. of. co munitr oxnt 71'94tf+fi�t ; .. plans; *Seaforth Community Hospital would have remained virtually the same with the potential loss of surgery. *The eight affected hospitals formed an alliance and requested the opportunity to form its own hospital restructuring option. *Administrators and boards were given between December 22, 1996 to January 14, 1997 to come up with an alternative. *They did. A plan was formed that would keep all eight hospitals open. At a minimum, all would have 24-hour emergency service, acute and chronic care beds, out-patient clinics and therapy services. ''The Huron Perth District Health Council accepted the plan with some adjustments. *The hospitals' option included what they call a "footprint" that outlines the number and type;of beds'to be located at each hospital. *Seaforth keeps 34 of its 41 beds. *In March, 1997, the DHC endorsed the hospital plan. *Since then, much work has been done on sorting out the partnership that forms by that plan, uu u the partnership agreement. *The Health Services Restructuring Commission remains a factor. It's focus has been on restructuring Toronto area hospitals but was originally expected to review all hospitals. *The current plan fits a profile of a Ministry of Health framework for rural and northern hospitals; a plan that encourages partnerships and deters hospital closures. *Eventually, all eight hospitals will have one surgerjr, one pediatric, one medicine and one emergency program, among others. *May, 1998, all eight hospitals officially form their partnership. *May 14, 1998, the first meeting of the Partnership Board takes place, to begin developing the partnership arrangements that will save the combined hospitals millions of dollars. Food plan benefits linked hospitals, says administrator The new food services plan being implemented across the hospitals is expected to cost less than one full-timc equivalent position at the hospital. "The hospital is looking at ways to achieve this reduction without any layoff," said Administrator Bill Thibert. The staffing situation is part of Seaforth Community Hospital's contribution to a plan that sees all eight Huron and Perth Hospitals remain open through sharing agreements that cut costs. ' "The first initiative of the partnership is thc new food services initiative being introduced," said Thibert. Instead of being prepared in a kitchen, the food comes pre - prepared and is served directly to the patients from a cart. Patients will now have a chance to select thc portion size of food they like instead of wasting food that is arbitrarily given to them at meal time. They can also ask for extra or leave out something they don't like. "I think that's an improvement," said Thibert. Val Poisson, president of CUPE, Local 2702 criticized thc plan in a letter to the editor May 13, saying the quality of thc food is not as good and that half the dietary department staff of some hospitals have been laid off because of the program. "Staff will continue to be hospital employees," said Thibert. The plan is already in use in Wingham and is scheduled to for Seaforth in October. He said three of the directors of dietary departments at Huron and Perth hospitals were part of the team that initiated this plan and one of Seaforth Community Hospital's cooks helped select the equipment that will be used. Across the hospitals, 20 positions will be lost to the plan. Some of those wilt be handled through early retirement programs. "I take pride in the fact there hasn't been a layoff in this hospital over the last five years through reduced funding and restructuring," said Thibert. He is confident the new system will be well-received by patients and staff in October. Zed It is never to late too build for your financial future. CaII me to help you plan your future.. CAPfrAL LPDLANNERS Independence & Trust . "Serving Canadians Since 1968" Some of our products end services. Retirement & tax planning, mutual funds. GIC's, RRSP's. Susan Carter Financial Consultant 406 Wallace Ave. N. Listowel, Ont. N4W 1L3 Bus. 1-800-291-1353 Res. (519) 347-2569 THE HURON axrosITOR, MAY 27, IVIS -5 No crowds to fight FROM Page 4 Here, 1 know I could have one in my hands in less than five minutes. In Toronto, you could drive great distances or fight large crowds to get to the store you want. Why wouldn't I want to go back to living in a small town? Huron 4-H Sheep. Club meets The First meeting of the Huron 4-H Sheep Club was held April 30. First, we introduced ourselves to the other club members. Then we had registration and elections. President is Stephanie Munday; vice president is Robyn Etherington; secretary is Laurie Rodges; press reporter is Suzanne Coleman. This year, leaders are Florence Pullen and Kris McNaughton. The topic is housing managment and the next meeting is today, May 27. Pharmacy Care Days Information • Knots ledge • :1warene,i, Keating's Pharmacy would like to invite you to our DIABETES DAY A registered nurse will assist your pharmacist to offer FREE Blood Sugar Reading and Diabetes Counselling DIABE 1'IS • Take the Pain Free Challenge • Receive information on how to make daily testing/finger pricking less painful • Take advantage of our SPECIAL OFFER: if you are convinced that AccuSoft is virtually painless and you are an insulin user, we will trade in your current monitor for a new AccuSoft kit absolutely free: value of $49.9% FRIDAY, MAY 29th 10 amto2pm 67 Main St., Seaforth-- 527-1990 v St. Thomas Anglican Church Jarvis St. Seaforth . Rev. Robert Hiscox 482-7861 Sunday May 31st Day of Pentecost Deanery of Huron Regional Service at 11:00 am at St. Paul's in Clinton. Luncheon will follow., First Presbyterian Church Goderich St. W. Seaforth 11:15 AM Sunday School during Church Service June 7 Congregational Picnic Minister: Rev. Nicholas Vandermey Bethel Bible Church Meeting at Seaforth High 9:45 a.m. S.S. 7:00 p.m. 11:00 Worship Evening Bible Study Small Group meetings Weekly ' An Associated Gospel Church Sunday, May 31 9:30 worship at Cavan (Winthrop) 11 am Junior Choir Musical "Adam's Apple" at Northside United Church Sunday School presentations, New Library dedication, and lunch after church Everyone Welcome! Seaforth Community Church (Meeting at Bethel Bible. Church) Sunday 11 am Worship Wed.: 7:30 pm (at 146 Jarvis St., Seaforth) Bible Teaching & Prayer Full gospel with a Pentecostal Message t. ames Catholic Church Victoria St., Seaforth Saturday - 5:15 pm St. James Parish, Seaforth Saturday - 7:15 pm St. Joseph's Parish, Clinton Sunday - 9:00 am St. Michael's Parish. Blyth Sunday - 11:00 am St. James Parish. Seaforth Father Dino Salvador AWARD WINNER Gregor Campbell, staff reporter/photographer for The Huron Expositor, has done it again. Gregor won 2nd at the Ontario Community Newspaper Association's Awards. Gregor's Alzheimer photo story from last year came in 2nd in the "Best Photo Layout" category. This competition includes community papers from across Ontario. An honour to be proud of. CONGRATULATIONS GREGOR!