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Home My WebLink AboutHuron Expositor, 2005-06-29, Page 3News Student nurse practitioner interns for five weeks at Seaforth clinic By Susan Hundertmark Expositor Editor For the past five weeks, a student nurse practitioner has been helping Dr. Dan Rooyakkers care for patients at Seaforth's medical centre. Cate Verberne, who's in her final months of completing her nurse practitioner training at the University of Western Ontario, has been interning in Seaforth. "Nurse practitioners are no solution to the doctor shortage but they can really free up a doctor for more serious cases. They really perform a vital role," says Verberne. Nurse practitioners, initiated in Ontario during the 1970s when there was a severe doctor shortage, have more responsibility and more powers than registered nurses. They can perform complete physical exams, do routine screening, order lab tests, x-rays and ultrasounds, diagnose conditions and common illnesses such as sore throats, ear infections and urinary tract infections, and prescribe a list of medications including birth control pills and antibiotics. They can also do well baby assessments, immunization, pre -natal care for mothers without risk factors and help to manage conditions that have already been diagnosed such as hypertension, diabetes and high cholesterol. "It's a lot of extra skill and it bridges the care between a doctor and a registered nurse. AA nurse Susan Hundertmark photo Student nurse practitioner Cate Verberne listens to the heartbeat of Ken Lingelbach, of Seaforth, last week at the Seaforth Medical Centre. practitioner is an excellent first point of contact with a patient," she says. Nurse practitioners must work within an arrangement with a doctor, who consults with the nurse practitioner and takes over the care when a medical condition goes beyond the nurse practitioner's training. While the community health care centre ,in Grand Bend has five nurse practitioners and they are common in London, Seaforth has never had a nurse practitioner on staff. Verberne, however, is the second student nurse practitioner to do an internship at the Seaforth clinic. Rooyakkers says the Seaforth clinic would like to hire a nurse practitioner but currently no funding is available from the province to do so. "We submitted a proposal three or four years ago but we didn't get the funding, which is limited," he says. Ron Lavoie, chair of the Seaforth Community Hospital Trust, which manages the Seaforth medical centre, says the clinic is on a waiting list for nurse practitioner funding but adds that it seems more likely that a nurse practitioner will be funded through the new family health team in Seaforth. Verberne will be one of New provincial funding won't balance Alliance budget, says Williams By Laura Cudworth Stratford Beacon Herald Staff New hospital funding announced by the province last week won't balance the Huron -Perth Healthcare Alliance budget. The alliance, which includes hospitals in Stratford, St. Marys, Clinton and Seaforth, will receive an additional $1.8 million this fiscal year. Yet, it will still be running a deficit of between $4.5 million and $5 million, said Andrew Williams, chief executive officer. "We were expecting a funding announcement. The ministry has been forthcoming with us over the past few months. The numbers we were expecting were in that neighbourhood," Williams said. The province requires hospitals to have a balanced budget, so administrators will work with the government over a 15 -week period to help balance the budget. Williams said it's too early to say what cuts, if any, will he made. "There is the possibility of more funding based on efficiency and growth." Williams said. "It's too soon to know if the alliance will he eligible." In an usual step, the announcement was made for the next three years rather than one year at a time. For 2006-07 the alliance will get a $1.7 -million boost and in 2007-08 a $1.4 million boost. "This is the kind of stable, multi-year funding hospitals have long been asking for, and our government has delivered," Huron -Bruce MPP Carol Mitchell, MPP said in a press release. "It will greatly increase their ability to plan for the care needs of their patients, manage their finances and keep their budgets in balance." As well, the formula has changed to take into consideration the size, efficiency and demand on services at each individual hospital. Increased funding to Alliance hospitals includes $3.65 f,000 for Stratford General, $417,000 for St. Marys Memorial, $143,000 for Seaforth Community Hospital and $187,000 for Clinton Public Hospital. Ontario hospitals will get $1.75 Killion in new funding from the province over the next three years. The funding, the first ever government deal with Quoted `There is the possibility of more funding based on efficiency and growth. It's too soon to know if the Alliance will be eligible,'— Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance CEO Andrew Williams multi-year hospitals. was detailed last week by Health Minister George Smithcrman. In all. hospitals will receive $12.27 Killion for this fiscal year. at least $12.6 billion for 2006-07 and at least $13.1 Killion in 2007-08. Smithcrman said of Ontario's 154 hospitals, 89 are projected to balance their 2004-05 hooks as required under new service agreements inktd with the provincial government. Summer to be spent on FHT's governance and structure Prom Page 1 sure drugs are taken properly so there are less side effects,' she says. Nurse practitioners arc trained to do annual physicals and some treatment and registered nurses can do immunizations and dressing changes. says Devereaux. As well. the Huron FHT wants to crcat'e programs in coronary care, diabetes and obesity. "We arc working closely with public health and the CCAC (Community Care Access Centre) to serve our higher population of elderly." she says. eight nurse practitioners in her graduating class this September. "A lot of people would like to hire nurse practitioners but there are not a lot of them coming out of programs," she says. Verberne, who lives in the Exeter area and has 10 years' experience as an RN, says she will be submitting. her resume when the Huron County Family Health Team in Seaforth is hiring. NW* July xeervW.,h,xxr. rwAr111111rr at 28 Centennial Drive Seaforth (Irwin Physiotherapy) To book an appointment or for free consultation call JoIn us.. THE HURON le<POSIT9Agi EXPOSIT29,2005-3 i �t'II��Illllll \1!1ir 1',i 1 itlt 1)4pc %tut) Decorating or Renovating? We provide in-home consultation by a certified professional at No Cost or Obligation!* Call today to set up your appointment. 19 Main Street, Seaforth (519)527-1880 or 1-866-707-7670 'Addresses within 1/2 hour of our storel ILYSER 1, ` strivoko stogmaiai RR# I Walton Designs and makes clothes on demand. Almost any type of clothing, any material, and style; you choose! 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