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
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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,
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Numerous Door Prizes
Be Sure To Attend
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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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