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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2009-01-28, Page 6Page 6 The Huron Expositor • January 28, 2009 News Huron East mayor disappointed decision made to reduce hours at Seaforth ER before consulting town Susan Huudertnittrk While he understands the staff- ing issues leading to the decision to close Seaforth ' Community Hospi- tal's emergency ward from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. starting Feb. 7, 'Huron East Mayor Joe Seili said he's not happy the decision was made before con- sulting with the municipality. "If I was the mayor of Stratford and he (Huron Perth Healthcare Al- liance CEO Andrew Williams) pulled this stunt, he'd be run out of town on the train," said Seili when announc- ing the news of the reduced hours at Seaforth's emergency department to council at its Jan. 20 meeting. "My point is the decision is made before we're consulted to see what we could do to help. I reminded him (Williams) he promised the people at the Agriplex four years ago that we will have four viable hospital sites," he said. Seili was referring to a commu- nity meeting of 300 people held four years ago in Seaforth when the Alliance was struggling with a $7 million deficit and discussing various cost-cut- ting measures, such as a reduc- tion in beds, to eliminate the deficit. At the time, community members were expressing con- cerns about the future viability of Seaforth's hos- pital within .the four -hospital Al - VAN RIESEN FINANCIAL SERVICES INC. Keri Van Rieger CFI' CLU CH.EC. CHARTERED FLVANCL4L CONSULTANT INTERGLOBE Financial Serviv¢s Corp. Estate' Planning • Retirement Planning • Wealth Accumulation • Business Succession Planning Get Your Money Working So You Don't Have Tol Steven Preazeator INSURANCE . AND INVESTMENT ADVISOR Fir') 19-482-7G3') You are invited to attend these area churches STT' OMAS ANGLICAN CHURCH A Congregation of the Parish of The Holy Spirit The Reverend Karine A. Farmer Jarvis St., Seaforth S19.527-1522 Sunday, February 1st Everyone Welcome Morning Prayer Friday, January 30th at 10 a.m. BETHEL BIBLE CHURCH An Associated Gospel Church 126 Main St., Seaforth 519-527-0982 Sunday School All Ages 9:45 a.m. Sunday Worship 1 I a.m. Youth Group & B&G Club Wed. 7 p.m. Pastor Mark Kennedy EVERYONE WELCOME NORTHSIDE UNITED Welcomes YOU Sunday 11 a.m. Worship Nursery & Sunday School 54 Goderich StW. Seaforth 527-2635 www.cavannorthsideunited.ca STJAMES ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH' WELCOMES YOU 14 Victoria Street. Seaforth 519-527-0142 Sunday Mass I I a.m. ST. PATRICK'S, DUBLIN Saturday Mass 5 p.m. Sunday Mass 9 a.m. FR. CHRIS GILLESPIE EGMONDVILLE UNITED CHURCH Pastor Steve Hildebrand Worship Sun., Feb. I st at 11 a.m. Adult &Youth Sunday Scholl 10 am. Come worship with us Elevator & Ear Buds Available FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 59 Goderich St. W. Seaforth 519-527-0170 Organist Susanna Lyman Worship Feb. 1 st at I I :15 a.m. Reverend Cathrine Campbell Nursery & Sunday School Communion, followed by lunch and Annual Meeting to beheld on Feb. 8th Valentines Pot Luck Supper Sat., Feb. 14th ALL WELCOME -• r` a.,..... .. .-. .....r...... —,. A.... AO. — .4-....►....�..t .. ». y�..-.� liance. Seaforth Coun. Joe Steflier said the municipality was assured two meet- ings ago that Seaforth's emergency department was in no danger of clos- ing. "When you have satellite manage- ment, the people who built the hospi- tal are not hearing what's going on. Going back to the high school, you kill it from within," he said, refer- ring to the closure of Seaforth Dis- trict High School six years ago. Clerk -Administrator Jack McLachlan told council that he was advised at Monday's economic devel- opment committee meeting that the emergency department would be de- creasing its hours because of a staff shortage of ER nurses. • "It's a temporary measure," he said. Seili said he was told by Williams that SCH needs one full-time emer- gency nurse and three part-time nurses before the department can be run 24 hours a day again. Seili said he wanted to commend the staff at the hospital for the load they've been carrying during the on- going staffing shortage. But, he added he is worried about the wellbeing of the residents of Hu- ron East when the emergency de- partment is closed. "What's going to happen when Highway 8 is closed in the winter and someone shows up at 9 p.m. and they can't call the ambulance," he said. Seili expressed frustration that the municipality has no control over the decisions being made by the Alliance at the Seaforth hospital and pointed out that the municipality also hadn't been consulted about a recent deci- sion by the Alliance to discontinue dispatch services for Huron County fire departments. "All I could do was tell him (Wil- liams) my disappointment. Those who pulled out (of the Alliance) were probably smarter than us," he said. "I know they're dealing with a staff- ing shortage but to me, a partner- ship is everybody knows everything that's going on," said Seili, referring to the healthcare partners commit- tee, made up of representatives of the municipality and the Alliance. Seili said he'd heard rumours about the emergency department closing in Clinton as well but added that with Huron -Bruce MPP Carol Mitchell based in .Clinton, it wasn't going to happen. "They have a sitting MPP in that town and I think she'd have some- thing to say about it," said Seili. Huron East to support Habitat for Humanity build in Seaforth in 2010 While they haven't yet deter mined how, Huron East coun- cillors voted at their Jan. 20 meeting to support a plan to build a Habitat for Humanity house in Seaforth in 2010. Sandra Dale, representing Habitat for Humanity Huron County, appeared before coun- cil asking for help in finding' a suitable lot or some finan- cial assistance in the form of waived fees and connection charges. "Central Huron was able to give us a lot and other munici- palities waived some of their fees," she said, adding that the group's goal is to wipe out poverty in Huron County. Dale said she is looking for property in Seaforth right now and would like _to purchase a lot in April. t ' , >...Y ;,t ; Habitat for .Humanity Hu- ron County built its first house in -Central Huron three years ago and has since built in Ex- eter and Goderich. She said the lot Central Hu- ron provided was worth about $25,000. In Exeter, the con- nection and service fees were waived and asphalt donated and in Goderich connection fees were waived. r _ :•: Seaforth Coun. Bob Fisher asked if Habitat for Human - it builds duplexes and Dale responded that they would love to if they ever found a lot where the zoning would allow it. She said a fam- ily for the house planned for Sea - forth has not been identified yet. "I would like to make a motion we support it. It's a good idea," said Grey Coun. Alvin McLellan. by Susan Hundertmark ever Learn how RRSPs and TFSAs can benefit your savings strategy. Visit any of our branches, or call McmberLine at 1.800.492.9492. J 4111 (1W United Communities Credit llnion 4 1S' i1! 11 6. Y-. Y�"xy.1e ' t- • 4.