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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1999-04-07, Page 22-THR HURON RXPO$ITOII, April 7, 19911 Paramedics say threat is real FROM Page 1 other nearby muncipalities have also hired) to choose a. course of action, saying that depending on private operators- • to provide ambulance services creates a - lot of costs and risks for muncipalities. The risks • include losing all Control over service delivery with a• severely restricted capability to influence change throughout the term of a 3-5 year contract.' "Why would you want to expose .yourself to those risks and end up with poorer service at the end of the .day?" said Ajax=Pickering paramedic Gary Smith. "If Huron County chooses to run' its own ambulance system. it will be che.aper solely because it doesn't have to factor in a profit and because it won't have to pay the GST•(federal goods and services tax)" the way private companies ' will, . Said Natasic. • . Both paramedics• said they. think thethreat of privatization creating art American system in Ontario, 'is "absolutely real" since they said the profit incentive will encourage operators to "squeeze • services.: ' to ,maximize profits." "The first thing ambulance attendants in the -States will ask you is, ' How will you 'pay?' 'Paramedics.in the U.S. are giyenan incentive' based on their collection rates," Standing in front of the Americanized ambulance that stopped in Seaforth last week -are front left, Don. Hulley, a maintenance worker at Seaforth Community Hospital; Lorraine Noakes, who works in housekeeping at the Seaforth Hospital, Durham Region parame- die Mike. Dick, Val Poisson, a local nurse and president of CUPE Local -2702, Wingham paramedic Mark Bormann and Ajax -Pickering paramedic Gary Smith. - • HUNDERTMARKPHOTO across Ontario. including those at. Seaforth Community t • Hospital, are feeling the funding cuts. with half the nursing staff being unable to respond to give hack ruh', or respond to call hells, delayed pain medication. and patients injuring themselves trying to -get to -bathrooms unassisted. "Mike Harris is _a wolf in sheep's clothing and the cuts to health care Will continue if he's re-elected. We can make sure that following. a. spring election. Mike Harris will -be joining the 15.000 health care workers at• the .unemployment office."' ,lie said. ambassadors .partnership has located its 'headquarters at Seaforth Community Hospital. itsThe committee. will revealb.suriiey results tolic next �Ieinday eveningat the -pu said Dick. Natasic added that while it's. 'illegal for U.S', paramedics_to refuse to -serve anyone. there are many investigations and charges against - fraudulent procedures. Dick related a story - a- former U.S.' paramedic told him of patients • without • health insurance being.hooked up' to oxygen whose hoses trail out the window of the ambulance instead of into the oxygen tanks. Val Poisson, president of CUPE Local 2702 and.a nurse in Seaforth, said she attended a'recent Ontario Federation of Labor Committee me FROM Page 1 brochure for the town. She told the crowd of about • 110 people that committee members have become better ambassadors for the town because of how well they got to know the community.- "It's important that .we take interest in our, communities,' she said. '"it was concern for the community that led a group of .residents_ to form a committee that eventually evolved into the business .retention and expansion committee. The town was facing. concerns about losing its hospital. Its Canadian Tire store closed and the high Still time to restore water levels FROM Page 1 - have" to allow the crops to survive thc. heat and. dry spells. Many of the crops. said Templeman; have roots that extend, up to five feet .into.the ground, but if there 'is' no moisture at that level. the crops run the risk. of drying up. Unfortunately, the rains cannot he controlled. but farmers do have options regarding preparation of the fields that could affect the moisture content of the soil. Templeman stated that a conservative timing, depth of tilling and planting are variables hat farmers can use to maximize whaever moisture content that is •._�.A _...presentS_ zjigation is. not economically feasible for many of the crops grown in Huron -Perth, i.e. corn; TempleSttan stressed that the fanners are heavily reliant on mother nature to maintain the moisture content at a sustainable level. Although Templeman did express serious .concern for the low water levels, he stated that there is still time for them to return to a safe level. Last year was similar in that everyone waited for the spring rains to come, but they never arrived said Templeman. He indicated, on the other hand, that it is still a while before planting is to commence. "We are about one month away from prime planting time," said Templeman, indicating that he is hesitant to make any "rash statements" as a great deal of raid can fall in that amount of time. conference in Toronto where U.S. consumer advocate Ralph Nader spoke agains the move to privatize health care in Canada. ''He said. ' Shanie on us (in the U.S.) for doing it and shame on you if you follow us, she said. In.a speech -she wrote for the ambulance tour's stop in Seaforth.;Poisson said the Harris government's recent pledge of $11 million for health care funding promoted with a $90 million advertising campaign, is a "drop in the bucket compared -:to the $300 million already taken out." She -said hospital patients mbers have become better school was also threatened by closure. - • As they prepared to do the' survey, Devereaux said -they batt to overcome the negative' feeling that this would- be another survey that would not lead to any results. "We had that negative opinion to 'overcome." she said. adding some felt "this was a problem for the town clerk and should be up to hin. to handle. But she told the group of how -the town has . turned around, beginning with a business community that has grown to a point where there are,only a couple vacancies on the main street. ''It's 'probably the best" ever," she said. She pointed to the town's new clerk and its mayor. Dave Scott. 'It's marvelous to have a young mayor as aggressive as he is 'she said. - While the school closure issue is not completely over. she said it's on hold. "We're. not feeling real confident but -it's delayed," she said. At the same. time, she said they have attracted the Avon - Maitland District School Board_ to open its offices here. bringing a staff of 87 to town and the new hospital Legion. • For For real peace of mind. look 'tor this symbol of protection. We provide insurance protection that leu you sleep at night. That's because the collective strength of our 50 community based mutual insurers makes us among the most financially secure insurance networks in. the world. 2 For you, it means friendly knowledgeable service from people who understand your needs and provide the protection and service you want. Sebringville `i�c� rvn iii 393-6402 Y 1-800-263-1961 . A 111444, m 9( in OMY.O MOWN irw.t.r! Ai 44(Ar Call LYNDA VINCENT at 527-2204 or toll free 1-888-269-0377 Vincent Farm Equipment Seaforth Cordially Invite YoULTo_ Attend Our Spring Kick Off Breakfast & Open House Sat., April 10, 1999 8 am - 1 pm Highlights include: The New CIH MX Magnum, MX & CX Series of Tractors, ATV Driving Range, Garden Tractor Driving Range, Numerous Door Prizes Be Sure To Attend U7 527-0120 Seaforth ; CASE 111 HARPIST EDUARD KLASSEN In Concert at St. Thomas Anglican Church, Seaforth Sunday, April llth, 2:30 p.m. Everyone Welcome Church . . ' ' ili Services You are invited to attend • these area churches St. Thomas Anglican Church Jarvis St. Seaforth Rev. Robert Hiscox 482-7861 Sunday, April 11` Service of Morning Prayer at 9:30 a.m. Han Concert with Eduardduring Kiassen at 2:30 p.m. CAVAN (Winthrop) 9:30 a.m. & NORTHSID11• (Godench St.. Seato n) 11.00 a.m UNITED. CHURCHES Minister: Rev. JaneKuepler 527-2635 • Sunday School the service. Nursery provided. First Presbyterian Church Godench St. W. Seaforth Good Friday - 10:30 a.m. At St. Andrew's Clinton 1 30 p.m. at St. Thomas Church "Walk of Witness" Easter Sunday 11:15 a.m. Egmondville United Church Rev. Judith Spnngett . Worship 11 a.m. Sunday School Grades 2 to 8 10 a.m.. Nursery to Grade 1 - 11 a.m. Bethel Bible Church An Associated Gospel Church Meetingat Seaforth High 9:45 a.m. Bible School 1f:00 Worshi p Meetings Weekly Small Group 9 y Pastor Doug Corriveau 522-0070 Catholic Church Masses Victoria St., Seaforth Saturday - 5:15 pm ' St: James Parish. Seaforth Saturday - 7-15 pm . St. Joseph Pansh•.Ctinton Suaday.= 9:00 am • St. Michael's Parish. Myth Sunday -'11'.00 am St. James Parish. Seaforth Father Dino Salvador - ' Diabetes and Vision By: Dr. Louis LaPlante Diabetes is,.a disease that interferes with the body's ability to use..and, store _sugar correctly and can cause many health .problems. A sight -threatening eye disease, generally known. as diabetic retinopathy,'can weaken and cause changes in the small blood vessels that nourish the eye's retina. The retina is the delicate lining at the back of the eye that -contains light-sensitive nerve cells needed for seeing. Over time, these more fragile blood vessels. inay begin to leak into the.retina.and damage these'nerve cells: • :Vision may be 'affected in different- ways. This. all depdnds on what part of the retina these changes.are happening. The early stages, of diabetic' retinopathy •inay cause blurred.vision. or no visual symptoms at all. As the . disease progresses, people may notice cloudy- or hazy vision; blind spots; or floaters. I have. found a :common complaint to, be fluctuating eyesight. This is where the vision is better on some days than other. • ' If you are.diabetic or have a family history of diabetes; it, is extremely important to have• an eve examination once a year. Your optometrist will use a special instrument that lights up. the back of the eye and magnifies the blood vessels.. This procedure is usually done with your pupils dilated, so bring along a_friend for safe driving afterwards.. . • It is critical to diagnose this sort of retinopathy in its earliest -stages, when treatment is .most effective.. It can not be overstated that once damage has occurred. the effects are usually permanent: The'treatlnent involves laser. and/or surgical procedures; Thee are often successful in. reducing the progression. of this eye disease, -and_in.decreasing..tlie risk of vision loss... • • As- a diabetic, you can help .prevent eye -refaced problems by.visiting your family medical doctor; regularly. and by taking your•prescribed medication. as instructed. Prevention also includes regular exercise; sticking to your diet. controlling high, blood pressure and„•+voiding alcohol. and smoking. - • April 21: Watch for: Glaticonta -- Can if be controlled! 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