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Huron Expositor, 2006-03-01, Page 7News Alliance well-positioned to benefit from new LHIN system, says Seaforth representative Susan Hundertmark The Huron -Perth Healthcare Alliance is well prepared to get its fair share of funding through the_ new Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs), Seaforth's Alliance repre- • sentative Dick Burgess told members of the Seaforth hospital's Local Advisory Committee (LAC) Monday. Burgess related information shared at recent meetings of Huron and Perth healthcare providers by Alliance CEO Andrew Williams. "Andrew pointed out that the LHINs are going to .be an instru- ment of change but that they still want quality healthcare and the Alliance is well-positioned to meet the desires and needs of our new masters," said Burgess. He added the Alliance -is. already trying to reach out to other healthcare providers and minimize costs without cutting services. "If providers can speak with one voice and make the case we are com- municative and making efforts to provide the best possible service without duplication, we will be looking forward to being positively received by LHINs," he said. Burgess said LHINs will be forcing providers to work more closely together and look at who else might be providing the same services. "If we are proactive, we stand a better chance of getting our full share of funding coming down the pipe," he said. In discussion about last week's public meet- ing about LHINs presented by unions repre- senting healthcare workers, LAC chair Arend Streutker said he thought the meeting was very one-sided. "I can see their (the unions') point, but they were worried about things that could happen and nobody knows what will happen," he said. Streutker argued that LHINs will not be able to close hospitals by themselves and that workers will not lose their jobs. "I'm sure LHINs are going to look at where we can do better - they may be able to see a bit better what we can do," he said. But, LAC member Kay Mailloux said she is afraid the LHINs will take the role of the gov- ernment and control hospitals. "The government's basically passing the buck and of course it's not local when it covers such a wide area," she said. Mailloux added She's afraid that workers will end up receiving lower wages if the bidding for services, predicted by the unions, does occur. "When you look at it from the workers' point of view, it looks pretty bleak," she said. As well, she said she's con- cerned that very few people know what LHINs- are about. "The biggest problem was 15 hands went up when people asked if they knew anything about LHINs," she said of last week's meeting attended by close to 250 people. LAC secretary Grace Dolmage said fear was the biggest emotion created by the public meeting. "I truly fear five to 10 years down the road when we'll see how many small hospitals are left. And, the travel we may face troublzs me. We're going to be the ones in nursing home beds - how often are we going to see our fami- lies?" she said. Mailloux added that if rural families have to travel greater distances for healthcare, it will become costly to rural people. LAC member Bill Scott said he looks at the LHIN structure as decentralizing when the alternative is .based solely in Toronto. "We should get a better shake out of our LHINs. I tend to be optimistic and I think the problems we're talking about should be better able to be looked after by LHINs," he said. Seaforth site administrator Mary Cardinal said the LHINs structure will definitely cre- ate change. "The role of the Ministry of Health will become one of policymaking and stewardship and the LHINs will handle the day-to-day so it is a fundamental shift," she said. proactive, we stand a better chance of getting our full share of funding coming down the pipe,' -- Dick Burgess Three-week hearing into Truscott case will begin June 19 A hearing into Steven Truscott's 47 -year-old murder conviction will begin June 19, when witnesses will be called to testify before three justices of the Court of Appeal. The court has set aside three weeks to hear from two dozen witnesses. Several witnesses who were children at the time Lynne Harper was killed are expect- ed to be called, as are pathol- ogists who studied the evi- dence. Truscott's lawyers have not said whether he will testify. Lawyers will submit writ- ten arguments after the testi- mony, but their final oral pre- sentations aren't expected until early 2007. Truscott was convicted of killing Harper in 1959 and sentenced to hang, a ruling that was later changed to a prison term. He was freed on parole in 1969. In 2004, a report by retired judge Fred Kaufman conclud- ed there had been a miscar- riage of justice in the case, but did not declare Truscott innocent. The report was the basis for a -decision by the then justice minister to send the case to the appeal court. The Huron Expositor • March 1, 2006 Page 7 When Accldenti Happen... Call Mark at COLLISION REPAIR • GLASS INSTALLATION -_ INSURANCE CLAIMS WELCOME • RENTAL CARS AVAILABLE We use quality (fU PON performance coatings 120 Harpurhey Rd., Seaforth 522-2222 Church. Services You are invited to attend these=area churches St. Thomas Anglican Church A Congregation of the Parish of The Holy Spirit Jarvis St. Seaforth 527-1522 Rector: The Rev'd Sue Malpus. M. Div Sunday, March 5'h, 2006 Worship at 9:30 am Wed. Mar. 1 - Ash Wednesday Service at 1:30 pm Thurs. Mar. 2 - Taize Worship Service at 6 pm Rector's Cottee Hours - Tues., Mar. 7 - a • to only tni. weak Tues. March 7 - 7 pm. A.C.W. at Dorothy Hays home Everyone Welcome Bethel Bible Church An Associated Gospel Church 126 Main St. Seaforth 527-0982 Sunday School 9:45 a.m. Sunday Worship 11:00 a.m. Youth Activities Wednesday 7:00 p.m. B&G Club Wednesday 7:00 p.m. EVERYONE WELCOME St. James Roman Catholic Church Welcomes you 14 Victoria Street, Seaforth 527-0142 Weekend Masses: Sat 5:15 pm Sun. 11:00 am Fr. Chris Gillespie NORTHSIDE UNITED CHURCH 54 Goderich St. W. Rev. John Gould Worship 11:00 a.m. Sermon: Words and Works Nursery During Worship Adult & Teen Bible Discussion 9:30 a.m. Egmondville United Church SUNDAY, MARCH 5th Worship at 11:00 a.m. Sunday School 10:00 a.m. World Day of Prayer Friday March 3, 7:30 pm. EVERYONE WELCOME Steve Hildebrand Lay Pastoral Minister in Training First Presbyterian Church Goderich St. W., Seaforth Rev. Henry Huberts Sunday, March 5th Worship 11:15 a.m. Sunday School and Nursery Provided ST. PATRICK'S CHURCH ST. VINCENT de PAUL 81 Mill St. Dublin 29 Nelson St. Mitchell Father Alan Dufraimont Office 345-2972 Mass Times St. Patricks St. Vincent de Paul Sunday 11:00 a.m. Sat. 5:00 p.m. Sun. 9:00 Wheelchair Accessible - Everyone Welcome .4. -.