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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1998-12-09, Page 1Your Community Newspaper Since 1860 - Seaforth, Ontario December 9, 1998 - $1.00 includes GST Doctor -led deliveries suspended at hospital Obstetric doctor shortage leads to decision BY SCOTTHiLGENDORFF Expositor Editor A shortage of (lectors practicing obstetrics has led to the suspension of, physician -led deliveries at Seaforth Community Hospital: "We're saddened. disappointed and sora that the situation has come up for the present time. the hospital sill no longer provide thts service." said ltoh Norris. chair of the hospital'.. hoard of directors. ''It's just not teasihle to offer this program.' Dr. Janet Z.ettle recently took position in Guelph leaving three •physicians practice obstetrics.. The medical staff advised the 'hoard that is nor enough to conduct physician -led deliveries. i Dr. carolin Shepherd' chief 01 staff. said five to six physicians are needed because at a minimum. four (Victors should he available. • "Whenever vote do deliverN. you always have to he prppared for the worst case.. scenario.': she said. • That is a cesarean -section .• which requires tour' doctors: an the board's decision to support the doctors:. "it's a very difficult decision for a' physician to make," said Administrator Andrew Williams. He hopes the community will understand why it was necessary. Shepherd said the lirogranl can he reinstated when there are five to six doctors available because of the demands having onfj four places on the doctors. Deliveries arc offered 24 hours.a da\ which means. with only tout doctors. the\ are expected to be available 24 hours a day. Five to six doctors eliminates -some of that pressure and allows the program to he _ responsibly supported. 'It's a very' , "physicians are still taking care of their patients right up to difficult delivery." said Shepherd. • decision for a And 'patients arse being urged tip return to the 'care of the physician to Seaforth hospital after four flours of delivery. where all other make prenatal and postnatal services --Andrew remain in effect. "They are and continue to Williams, he an important pat's of the administrator program.' said Williams. 'tif'm• comfortable we've put a program I in place: that will ensure the hest anaesthetist. a surgeon.':i doctor to assist the quality of service people hour surgery and .i doctor for the baby. come to expect: ' "Our society expects to have a healthy Meanwhile. recruitment let new doctors. mother. and baby." she said. That means the -which is traditionally a priority Of the Seaforth Medical Clinic. continues. Doctors Shawn Hdwards , and • Mark Woldnik were recently at medical school fairs and have talked toyphysicians who are interested. "li's very positive at this point." said Shepherd mortality rate has to be at zero and that the four doctors are needed.• As a '-res.ult. the hospitals medical •community asked the hoard to suspend deliveries. "11 was a phy'sicuiii-led decision. We as a hoard. depend on our doctors." said Norris o1 CONTINUED on Page = Barb Pepper of Bayfield gets Knssy's input in how to pose one of their teddy bears. The family was at the Agricultural Society's farm toy, doll and craft show on the weekend where thousands from across the region came for the annual event. More photos appear on Page 6 - HILGENDORFF PHOTO Local schools not affected by new accommo, . dation report BY TIM CUMMING Mitchell Advocate Staff • Administrative staff of the Avon Maitland District School ,Board asked concerned residents near the end of a meeting 10 Mitchell on Wednesday to break into groups and discuss ways to save money in education. Instead. many people declined in favour of speaking at the microphone to criticize the hoard for not taking enough time to research schools before making boundary changes and school closing decisions. Some people charged that the administration had already made up its mind on changes prior to the board's meeting which was to be held last night (Tuesday) in Clinton. At the meeting the board was to consider a school accommodation review that suggests closing two ahnex. or satellite. schools (Portia and Atwood). At the time of Wednesdays meeting residents weren't sure what the report would say.but Director of Education Lorne Rachlis said the changes would , be "minor adjustments." When a reporter said a school closing wouldn't be considered a - minor adjustment to the people affected. Rhchits answered that "I'm going from a district perspective." 1f a school is named for study it doesn't necessarily mean it will be closed. he said. adding the school accommodation review might also make some more practical decisions about schools near the Huron - Perth boundary now that the amalgamated district board doesn't have to consider county boundaries. "Wc do have some schools near that boundary where it might make sense to cross the line." In one case. the review suggests moving some Hibbert students from Mitchell Distract high school (MDHS) and Upper Thames elementary school (UTES) to South Huron Secondary School , in Exeter and Usborne school. In the Seaforth area. no schools are affected after a report earlier this year that indicated Walton Public School..Seaforth Public School and Seaforth District Secondary School could be affected by further accommodation review. Among options for the board to consider at the time was closing Walton and Seaforth Public Schools and making CONTINUED on Page 17 Hog rally goes better than expected, says local farmer BY SCOTT HILGENii)ORFF Expositor Editor A rally in Queens ark went better than expected at getting attention to a crisis situation among hog farmers across the province. "That seems like the only way to get the public aware of the severity lof the situationj." said John Arts of Arts Farms near Seaforth, a medium-size farrow to finish hog operation. But he fears an announcement of cash advances from the province to aid farmers whose livelihoods have been threatened by plunging pork prices may be too little. too late for some. - "It's going to affect everyone differently," he said. "The whole hog industry is losing big money." He said it depends on the size of person's operation and how well they have prepared for the ups and downs of the market. The problem will worsen the longer prices remain low and Arts has no idea how long that could last. He fears some farmers won't be able to last long enough for the support Ontario Agriculture Minister Noble Villeneuve announced at the Dec. 1 rally. "h all depends on how deep your pockets are," he said. "The young farmer who has less oft, little equity.At . could spell disaster." A federal -provincial farm disaster income program is expected this month which will have bearing on how much money is available in grants to help farmers suffering from the low prices due to an overcapacity of hogs on the international market. Arts said a plan of that scale had to be in the works for a couple years but believes last week's rally helped bring it to a head. But he said that help will be based on each farmer's tail returns which, again, would affect everyone differently and may not be able to help them all. "The intent is there;" he said. At the rally. the hog farm lobbyists asked for $400 million this year and $500 million next year. Hog farmers have been working with below cost prices for two to three months now and Arts said communities are going to begin feeling the impact soon. "Seaforth is a rural community.,It's going to affect business in those towns," he said. As some farmers are forced out of business or struggling with little income. the spin-off will be felt in the small communities where these people do their daily business. With lower hog prices not being reflected on the shelves in grocery stores. Arts said it isn't helping move the meat to decrease the surplus stocks and he has no idea how much longer the situation will last. According to farmers at the rally, a producer loses $7(1 n head on every hog shipped to market. Manness couple did not lie to help Steve Murray BY P4ULA SCHUCK London Free Press Robin and Roben Maness did not he. about sheltering Mistie Murray with the intention of helping Steven Murray avoid jail on charges of. murdering his daughter. a London judge has ruled. Both Robin. 44. and Kober. 51. had pleaded -not guilty to charges of obstructing justice in ctimtection with the second - degree murder trial that saw Steven Murray charged with killing his 16 -year-old daughter. Murray was acquitted on all charges after a trial in Goderich last year. Mistie vanished May 31. 1495. after boating with her father on Lake Huron. Her body hasn't been found. 'During the Manesses' trial this week. assistant Crown attorney Geoff Beasley argued they kites they were swearing an oath when they gave false information On affidavits indicating they'd given shelter to Mistie Murray after she .was supposedly murdered. The affidavits were taken by a law student at a firm hired by the Murrays. In. court. it was revealed the Manesses were actually living in Windsor in June 1995 and couldn't have taken Mistie in as they- claimed. heyclaimed. • VONTINUED en Page Dawn Roden (right) was a little more serious than a classmate .as they prepared to have sphegetti thrown on them in a Zany Tuesday contest at Seaforth District High School last week. JESSOMF PHOTO