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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2009-11-11, Page 13News The Huron Expositor • November 11, 2009 Page 13 Epilepsy Huron -Perth still operating despite funding challenges Association has funding request turned down by South West LHIN Susttn Hundertm.ark While Epilepsy Huron -Perth did not receive requested funding from the South West LHIN and had to lay off one of its two employees, the or- ganization is still operating. "We made the decision to stay open at all costs," says executive director Lynne Armstrong. Armstrong says that when she was preparing statistics for Epilepsy Hu- ron -Perth's annual general meeting, she felt a strong need to continue to serve the over 400 families helped by the organization each year. While Epilepsy Huron -Perth pro- vides day-to-day support to 60 fami- lies during an average week, Arm- strong says they have regular contact with 144 families in Huron County and 258 families in Perth County. Epilepsy Huron -Perth spent the last year lobbying the South West LHIN . (Local Health Integration Network) for provincial funding but were turned down at the end of Octo- ber. A letter from Michael Barrett, CEO of the South West LHIN, told Arm- strong that the LHIN is responsible to make sure existing health service providers are in a financially sus- tainable position and that no other epilepsy associations are being pro- vided with funding from the LHINs. As well, the letter said the LHIN couldn't provide one-time funding "in the absence of a sound financial sustainability plan by the provider." "I think they're in a tight position," says Armstrong of the LHIN's re- sponse. "And, they're not going to be the ones to set the precedent of fund- ing epilepsy organizations." Armstrong says she's not defeated by the refusal by the South West LHIN and plans to start working with epilepsy associations across Ontario towards the possibility of eventually seeing them all receive provincial funding. "It will be interesting to see how we do provincially. We'd have to connect with other neurological organiza- tions like the Alzheimer Society, Par- kinson's, ALS and brain injury and we might all have a better chance to get funding," she says. "We will prove our sustainability when we pursue the LHINs again," she says. "I think we will eventually attain funding provincially. The first time you ask, you always get told no. It's more conceivable in three to five years - we need to keep banging them with statistics and proving there is a need." As the only remaining staff mem- ber of Epilepsy Huron -Perth right now, Armstrong is putting her focus on helping families with epilespy and education but adds that she still has to find time to write funding pro- posals. She says she's working at ways to INDIAN RIVER DIRECT CITRU KLOAD SALE MON., NOV 16TH - Seaforth Agric 2:30 PM Society 20 LB. BOX OF FLORIDA Seedless Navel Oranges or Ruby Red Grapefruit s22.00' PER BOX} use the family health teams better, setting up visits with families when they visit their family physicians to cut down on some of the travel neces- sary to support families throughout the two counties. The Epilepsy Huron -Perth office in Seaforth is not open as often as it was with two staff members but Armstrong says she gives people her cellphone number so she can be reached when the office is closed. And, a recent grant of $59,325 from the Ministry of Health Promo- tion to fund a two-year project in Li- stowel and Wingham will allow the organization to hire one person, says Armstrong. The project will provide people with epilepsy with a holistic approach to healthcare including physical activ- ity, healthy eating, mental health and injury prevention. Armstrong says Epilespy Huron - Perth is the first epilepsy assocation in Ontario to receive a Ministry of Health Promotion grant • and she's hopeful it's a sign of more funding to come in the future. "This grant will give us a base for further funding. It's a great pilot that will really help us," she says. HURON PERTH HEALTHCARE ALLIANCE HPHA H1N1 Update and Information - November 4, 2009 Outpatient and Visitor Guidelines at all HPHA Sites The Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance is working closely with public health agencies and area health providers to create a safe hospital environment for our patients, staff, physicians, volunteers and visitors as we respond to the H i N 1 Influenza at the local level. We are NOT in an outbreak situation related to H 1 N 1 at this time however, the H 1 N 1 virus is in our communities and in our Hospitals. We must make every effort to stop the spread of infection. Instructions for Outpatients at all HPHA Sites If you have an outpatient appointment or procedure booked and are feeling unwell, please call the appropriate outpatient department before coming to your appointment. If you are still required to keep your appointment and you have a recent onset of fever or cough, you will be instructed to wash your hands and put on a surgical mask at the hospital entrance. Adults and Children arriving for outpatient clinics, day procedures or diagnostic proce- dures are allowed one escort over the age of 16. Instructions for Visitors at all HPHA Sites: • The following Visitor restrictions are in place effective November.4, 2009 and will be enforced for all units until further notice: • One visitor at a time per patient* • No visitors under the age of 16* (*Exceptions to these restrictions may be considered for compassionate reasons; please call the appropriate Hospital unit to make arrangements) Visiting hours are from 11:30 am to 2 pm and 4 pm until 8 p.m. Please do not visit if you are currently ill or have been in contact with a person who has been ill in the past 48 hours. Please wash your hands before and after visiting using the alcohol sanitizers located throughout the facilities. Hand hygiene is the single most effective way to prevent the spread of communicable diseases such as colds and flu. These guidelines are temporary and may be updated as the need arises.