Huron Expositor, 2001-07-05, Page 5•
THE HURON EXPOSITOR, July 4, 2001-6 •
Chronic shortage of health professionals faces health council
By Mardy Bacigalupo
Mitchell Advocate Staff
Looking at the
accomplishments of the past
year and talking about plans
for the future was the agenda
for the third annual meeting
for the Grey Bruce Huron
Perth District Health Council
late last month at the
Mitchell Golf and Country
Club.
Executive director Jim
Whaley led the discussion
and highlighted the recent
water tragedy in Walkerton
and the importance of the
district health council (DHC)
working with community
health units, the looming
crisis in the shortage of
health-care professionals and
the on-going funding debate.
"For the next couple of
years we have entered a
stage of chronic shortage (of
health professionals),"
Whaley said. "(And) there
will never be enough money,
and this is a tough realization
for many "
Whaley referred to the
recent DHC nursing study.
which was launched in April
of last year in response to
concerns regarding nursing
recruitment and retention.
The study reflected many
challenges faced by local
nurses, whose concerns fell
under four categories of
work environment, education
and professional
development, nursing
shortages and challenges of
rural service delivery.
Those who were a part of
the study believe if nurses
work together and continue
the momentum found while
doing the study, recruitment
and retention issues can be
addressed. A new Grey
Bruce Nursing Strategies
Task Team was established
as a result of the study, and
will join forces with the
Huron Perth task team to
help guide local
Stephanie Dale photo
Flipping flapjacks
Dave Deighton (right) was one
of the firefighters who helped
seive up 100s of breakfasts at
Sunday's annual Canada Day
breakfast. The breakfast was
part'of scaled-back events this
year that culminated in
fireworks.
implementation efforts.
"(Nursing) challenges are
no different in Huron Perth
than they are in other regions
of the province." Whaley
explained. "(But) long gone
are the days when physicians
and nurses simply replace
themselves."
An equally important
concern for the DHC is the
rapidly growing number of
seniors in the region, and the
need for specialized geriatric
and long-term care services.
In March, the DHC hosted
a Rural Aging Forum which
examined the "future impacts
on our rural communities."
The objectives were to look
ahead 10 or 15 years and
discuss what might be
different as the baby
boomers reach the age of 65
and older. Also, the forum
discussed looking beyond
the existing health-care
system and strive to find
possible opportunities in the
areas of health services,
tourism. changes to the
family farm and seniors
housing.
"We don't want to start
talking about seniors as a
burden. I think that is a huge
mistake," Whaley said,
adding that the mayor of
Elliot Lake, George Farkouh,
was pivotal in initiating
changing this kind of
thinking at the Rural Aging
Forum.
The DHC is concerned
with health-care system
monitoring and health report
cards as their priorities for
planning in the future. Since
the Grey Bruce Huron Perth
region has the third oldest
age population in Canada,
there is much public debate
about the future of health-
care. As a result, Whalen
says many ministers in the
area have written to the DHC
and said they are interested
in helping with the debate.
The debate would include
issues of population health
Critical shortage of nurses will occur in five years,
warns area Ontario Nursing Association member
By Dave Emslie
Clinton News -Record Editor
55, a shortage in imminent,
unless others begin to
practice the trade in this
As nurses continue to finish country.
their training and head for The situation is very
greener pastures in the serious close to home, Miller
United States, Canada is explained. "In Clinton, within
facing a critical nursing five years, more than one -
shortage. third of nurses will be
"The government doesn't retiring. There are a lot
see there is going to be a going."
critical nursing shortage And because of the
within five years," said numbers leaving, Miller does
Dianne Miller, who will soon not see a bright future for
be marking her 25th CPH if it continues to stand
anniversary in the profession, alone as a hospital, and does
and who is president, Local not merge with the Goderich
021 of the Ontario Nurses' facility. In fact, she warned
Association. Miller also sits that Clinton would not have a
on the Hospital Central hospital in five years, unless
bargainng unit which has it can begin attracting some
been in negotiations for a new nursing staff.
contract with the Ontario Apart from retirements,
Hospital Association. there are other reasons for the
She explained that there are nursing shortage. One cited
some great incentives for by Comack was the way cuts
nurses who have completed to health care were made in
their training to take their the 1990s. Downsizing, she
talents to the States. She gave said, was a turn in the road
as an example one facility in that was not fully thought out
the U.S. which was offering a ahead, and the huge cuts
signing bonus of $10,000, a removed many of the built in
yearly salary of $60,000, a supports nurses were used to
retention bonus of $5,000 if a having.
nurse stayed more than a "They saved money, but
year, along with providing a deterred people from going
place to stay and covering into nursing," she said.
costs of continuing The work environment,
education. Comack continued, is also
Miller, who works at both making nurses sick. She said
Clinton Public Hospital that across Canada, there is
(CPH) and Alexandra Marine an absenteeism rate of eight
and General Hospital in per cent for nurses, compared
Goderich, noted that young to a national average for
nurses are jumping at the other professions, including
opportunities being made police officers, prison guards
available south of .the border. and firefighters, of four to
She said, for example, that five per cent.
there are 22 nurses Nurses, she said, have to
graduating from the work three shifts, on a job
University of Windsor this that is increasingly more
year, and, "All 22 are going complex, with high patient
to the U.S. for jobs." requirements. At the same
With the young nurses time, they are dealing with
moving on to find jobs aging parents and children
outside Canada, one problem reaching their teens.
facing the nursing profession "There is a whole number
is an aging workforce. of complicated factors," she
Margret Comack, vice- said, "which create a very
president and chief nursing difficult job."
officer with the Huron -Perth Both commented on the
Hospitals Partnership, and fact that rural hospitals are
site administrator for the having difficulties attracting
Wingham and Listowel new nursing staff due to a
Hospitals, explained that the lack of full-time jobs.
average age of nurses across Because there are
Canada is 43, and this predominantly only part-time
number grows to 47 in Huron jobs available at rural sites,
and Perth. nurses are forced to either
"We have very few nurses look elsewhere for
employed under the age of employment, or work two
404" she said, adding that jobs, Miller explained.
with nurses planning to retire Stating, "Nurses arc the
between the ages of 50 and backbone of a hospital," she
said that it is important that
there be both the retention of
nurses at the jobs they hold,
and the recruitment of new
nurses to help fill holes in the
staffing.
Miller suggested that the
only way this retention and
recruitment will work is if
nurses are offered a good
contract. She said that the
contract offered in the recent
talks with the OHA which
failed, "lacked dignity and
respect for nurses."
She said wages are part of
the negotiations, but they are
not the only part. Nurses also
want improved benefits and
better education. Upgrading,
she said, is mandated by the
College of Nurses, and
nurses want help to upgrade.
"We don't want a lot, we
just want respect," she said,
adding that the contract has
now gone to arbitration.
All nurses in the province
will soon, if they are not
already, be wearing magenta
ribbons, "to show support to
the negotiating team, and
also to get patients and
patients' families asking
questions," Miller said. "We
need patient support."
She urged those who do not
like what they are seeing
with the nursing profession
to contact their Member of
Provincial Parliament.
"Stand up for your nurses,"
she said.
Aside from tackling issues
facing nurses through
contract negotiations,
Comack said that local
solutions arc being sought in
Huron and Perth Counties,
where a Nursing Strategy
Team has been put together.
All employees who employ
nurses in the two counties,
she said, have been brought
to the table to help develop a
framework that will aid in
the recruitment and retention
of nurses.
This team will look at four
different areas: the work
environment for nurses;
access to nursing jobs (ie.
scheduling, hours);
developing a broad-based
professional
development/education plan,
working in conjunction with
Conestoga College; and
community planning, where-
in the situation facing nurses
will be analyzed and dealt
with.
Comack expects a working
group will soon be put
together to start working on
strategic plans stemming
from the strategy team. She
noted that work must begin
soon, as, "We don't have a lot
to time; we have to move
quite quickly on this."
Becky Campbell
Registered Massage Therapist
MON., TUES., WED.
9 am to 8 pm
Fridays
9 am to 5 pm
527-2058
'it only hurts, if you don't call!"
Did You
Know?
We are fully
Air Conditioned
at
Seaforth Manor
Retirement Home
We also offer...
SHORT STAYS,
so come and take a
break from the.heat
Call Charlene or Cathie
527-0030
100 James St., Seaforth
and demographics. health
human resources,
hospitalization and
community support services.
Each DHC will include
relevant information about
their own community and
will he assisted by the five
Ontario Health Intelligence
Units (HI,US). The goal is to
maximize efficiencies in
collecting health status
information from a variety of
sources.
As for the issue of health
report cards, Whaley says he
is amazed at the power of
comparative data which
becomes available as a result
of the report cards and he
thinks they are beneficial.
The report cards came about
last August as a result of
demands from the federal
government.
"I think health report cards
are here to stay," he said.
The report cards were
implemented in all provinces
with the objective of
reporting to all citizens about
the performance status of
their health-care system.
St. Thomas
Anglican Church
Jarvis St. Seaforth
482-7861
Rev. Tim Connor
Sunday Service
at 9:30 am.
Parish Assistance CaII
522-0929 or 345-2023
Bethel Bible Church
An Associated Gospel Church
126 Main St. Seaforth
Sunday Worship Hour 10 am
Adventure Club for Kids & Youth Groups
Wednesdays 7 p.m.
First Presbyterian
Church
Goderich St. W. Seaforth
Rev. Vandermey
WORSHIP SUNDAY
11:15 AM
Sunday School during Worship
Catholic Church
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
Egmondville
United Church
Rev. Judith Springett
SUNDAY SCHOOL
During Worship
WORSHIP
10 a.m.
NORTHSIDE - CAVAN
UNITED CHURCHES
Rev. Sheila Macgregor - Minister
9:30 a.m. Cavan 11:00 a.m. Northside
Winthrop 54 Goderich St. W.
527-2635 or 527-1449
Month of July
Northside and Cavan Worship with First Presbyterian
Vacation Bible School July 16-20
Call Joan to register 527-2907
- - - '.
1,6
_HEALTH ON THE HILL_
A Review of activlties.at
SEAFORTH COMMUNITY HOSPITAL
VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION the community may have
noticed the. beautiful tent on the lawn June 25th. This was part of
the celebration to honour our Volunteers who include: Board and
Auxiliary members, Student Volunteers, Huron Hospice Volunteer
Service members, Spiritual/Pastoral Care Volunteers, Activation
musicians, Foundation members, Morning Out Volunteers, Care
Team and Centre of Excellence community representatives. We
value the many hours of service and commitment.
MEMORIAL DONATIONS we have a designated Palliative
Care room with tasteful furnishings and a calming atmosphere. It
has recently been enhanced with a lovely framed print - a serene
fishing scene - a tribute to the memory of the late Mr. Frank
Elliott donated by his wife, Claudette. Our sincere appreciation
for this very thoughtful gift.
SEAFORTH COMMUNITY HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
gratefully acknowledge recent donations received in loving
memory of the late: Fred Glanville, Ann Lansink, Elma Jewitt,
Mary Scott, Wes Coombs, Harold Turnbull, Mabel Handy, Jean
Ross, Eric Doig, Sean Clark, Annie Staffen, Dorothy Munro,
Gordon Miller, Jean McNaughton, Don Crowley, John Patrick,
Frank Elliott, Delmer Erb, Spence Scott, Lloyd Riley, Mae
Habkirk, Luella Regele, Isabel Chesney, Mary Nolan, Durl
Hopper and Norman Kramers.
BOSTON "WALK -ALONG" WINNERS congratulations to
the following staff who are winners of Boston Detroit Red Wings
prizes donated by Boyd Devereaux: Pauline Linton, Leona
Sharpe, Carol Hunt, Mary Barnes, Kelly Gillis and Sheila Feeney.
This was a staff initiative in the "Running for Excellence"
Campaign to raise awareness of and funds for the Comprehensive
Seniors Health Centre of Excellence planned for Seaforth. Watch
for further Centre of Excellence updates in the future.
CPR/FIRST_AIDBABYSITTER COURSES if you require
Standard First Aid certification/recertification, Basic Rescuer
CPR or Babysitter Course, please contact the Canadian Red Cross
Society, (519) 273-9339.
"Have a safe and happy summer everyone."
IN GREENHOUSE SPECIALS NOW ON!!
We have everything you need, including...
• Annuals • Hanging Baskets
• Perennials including 40 kinds of Hostas
• Nursery Stock • Potted Containers • Geraniums & more!
EMMA'S 50" SALE on Selected Nursery Stock Returns!
WE'VE BEEN GROWING YOUR Si RAWBERRIES FOR 19 YEARS.
Pick Your Own
STRAWBERRIES
or Ready Picked
Please call for crop update. You may pick inyou own containers as we seat" die pound.
Supe 4sed chikben welcome but no pets pkase. Orders taken. Weather permitting.
84
eld, ON NOM 100 519'482-3024