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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2006-02-08, Page 22Page 22 February 8, 2006 • The Huron Expositor News Unions plan meeting to discuss concerns over new provincial LHINS health plan Susan Hundertmark Concerns for the future of rural healthcare under the provincial gov- ernment's new Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs) will be the topic of a public meeting Feb. 21 at the Seaforth Agriplex at 7 p.m. The meeting, which is being orga- nized by three unions with members working at Huron -Perth Healthcare Alliance hospitals, will focus on con- cerns of both workers and the pub- lic, said organizer Deb Hirdes, pres- ident of CUPE Local 4727. "We're hoping there's enough pub- lic outcry to make the government slow down and think about what the long-term impact will be," said Hirdes. The unions organizing the meet- ing include the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), the Ontario Nurses' Association ()NA) and the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU). Bill 36, which has received two readings, will enact the LHIN sys- tem to replace District Health Councils (DHCs), which were dis- mantled last January by the province. While the Grey Bruce Huron Perth DHC acted as the planning department for the healthcare sys- tem for the past 30 years. Fourteen LHINs throughout Ontario will cover much larger geo- graphical areas and Huron County will be represented by a LHIN that spans from Long Point to Tobermory and Chatham to Kitchener - Waterloo. "There's nothing local about "a Local Health Integration Network. Y M j ...on the ORIN= 2006wEA OR* MUNICIPALITY OP HURON EAST MAP! We are excited to help you make your mark on this new map for exposure to literally thousands of visitors In 2006! Participate by including your business in the one and only' official Map which includes precise location detail and extra Information In a colourful presentation to help visitors & new resldnets enjoy our area and find your busless. It's the only map they'll need when they vlslt Huron Minot! DON'T MISS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS ON THIS POPULAR PRODUCT FOR ONE, LOW AFFORDABLE PRICE! The deadline for maximum exposure to our potential visitors, Is: February 20, 200e To get all the details and to book your space, contact your advertising consultant today! What will they know about Seaforth and Clinton?" said Hirdes. Because LHINs will have the abil- ity to tell hospitals to stop offering specific services, Hirdes said she's concerned as a healthcare consumer that her family may have to travel great distances to receive a specific healthcare service. As well, LHINs will also be using a competitive bidding model_ that will have hospitals bidding for the right to offer services. Hirdes says, for example, if a hos- pital in Owen Sound can offer a cheaper cataract surgery than Stratford, it's likely under the LHIN model that patients will be travel- ling to Owen Sound for the service. "I have grave concerns that I'm going to be trucking my family everywhere," she says. She adds that by creating bidding wars between hospitals, services could end up being awarded to pri- vate clinics. And then, the whole question of whether or not OHIP Seaforth Optimist Club 2006 TRAVEL THE WORLD & CASH LOTTERY FEBRUARY DRAW WINNERS PANAMA TRIP Wayne Kramers $100 Consolation Fay and Ken Telfer will still cover the service is raised. "I don't think the Liberals have thought out all the ramifications and if they have, they haven't shared their vision with the rest of us," she says. As a healthcare worker, Hirdes says she's also concerned that LHINs, while centralizing services, will eventually be forcing workers to relocate to keep their jobs. Seaforth Community Hospital site chief Dr. Dan Rooyakkers, while not involved in the organization of the meeting, told a recent Alliance board meeting that he's hearing a lot of concern about LHINs from hospital staff in Seaforth. " I'd also like to mention that there is a growing unease about what the LHINs will mean to the Seaforth site," he said in his report to the Alliance. "I think there is :a valid concern that small hospitals will be closed under these new management structures," he said in his report, adding that staff need more infor- mation to help to ease their fears. In a phone interview after the meeting, Rooyakkers said the pri- mary concern of Seaforth staff is the possible closure of the hospital and the redistribution of services. "People are very aware there's -a. change and they're concerned," he said. But, Hirdes said she's afraid that not enough of the public is even aware the changes to -the healthcare sys- tem are taking place. "Only two per cent of the public has even heard the word LHIN but it's going to impact health- care dramatical- ly," she said. Bill 36 will receive its third reading on March 2. A similar public 'meeting will be held in Stratford on Wednesday, Feb. 22 at 7 p.m. at the Kiwanis Community Centre. THANK YOU! Seaforth Ringette Association would like to thank the following businesses for their generous support of our ringette tournament: •Box Furniture & Floor Coverings •Devereaux Murray, Lawyers •Diva Graphics •Flower Magic •Broadgrain Commodities Inc. •Janet's Donuts •Keating's Pharmacy •Hensall District Co -Operative •L. McGrath Plumbing & Heating Inc. •Maureen Wildfong •Seaforth Jewellers •Milton Dietz Limited •Seaforth Food Market •Watt's Maintenance •Progressive Turf •Pizza Train •Tucker's Meat Market *Perry May Huron Foot Clinic •Rudy Jansen •Seaforth Sewing Centre •Wilf Elliott Services •Pete's Paper Clip •Seaforth Bakery •Seaforth Chiropractic Centre •Toronto Dominion Bank •Seaforth Plumbing & Heating •Thompson's •McKillop Mutual Insurance •McTaggart Wettlaufer Ins. •Middegaal Pools & Sports •McGavin Farm Supply Ltd. •IJAP Seaforth Automotive •Seaforth Vet Clinic *Hair Designs by JC - Jeanette Connolly •The Looking Glass Vincent Farm Equipment •Whitney-Ribey Funeral Home •Tim Horton's, Clinton •Mitchell Sports