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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1996-12-11, Page 5Three proposals divide citizen "Let's not fall for this ploy and let's refuse to choose any of these proposals." Dear Editor: I applaud the action by Huron County Council re- garding their position on the recommendations (choices?) by the District Health Council (DHC). County Council decided that all five Huron County hospitals are necessary for adequate health care for our citizens. I fully agree. The three choices present- ed to us divides the citizens of the county where many supporters of the Goderich hospital couldn't care much if other hospitals in the county close. The three scenarios presented are, to say the least, deceiving. If we vote for one of the three the DHC proposals, we vote for the closing or diminishing of all Huron hospitals except Goderich. Let's not fall for this ploy and let's refuse to choose any of these proposals.County council wants all five hospitals to remain open. This is possible, albeit on a slightly re- duced level of operation. The simple remedy would be to cut back the demanded 18 per cent to 20 per cent in provincial support for all hospitals. Hospital administrators tell us they can operate on such a smaller budget. It would undoubtedly cause some hardship on hospital personnel, but less so than if the alternative is implemented. Has the DHC Task Force gathered weather infor- mation on how often highways 021, #8, 086 and 04 are closed by the OPP because of winter weather conditions? I doubt it, for it they had they would not propose that a half hour drive (at which speed?) is adequate to get a seriously ill person to hospital. I speak here partly out of personal fear because I have heart disease. I share this fear with any number of elderly people in our villages, townships and small towns (Huronview, Huronlea) and private retire- ment homes. Regrettably, the Ontario government has shown time and again that they refuse to listen to the peo- ple that elected them, so the only course they can, and must, take is to follow the example of Blyth Council who refused to collect an unfair tax on property. When taxpaying time comes in the next four months we should refuse to pay taxes if we lose the services of our hospitals. I would welcome letters in this paper that either disagree or agree with my position. Adrian Vos Blyth, Ontario Three options unacceptable "I firmly believe that some measure of cooperation and compromise can offer an effective solution." Dear Editor: Open letter to members of the District Health Council, Mitchell I am writing to voice some of my concerns about the closing of South Huron Hospital, as a primary hospital. Should South Huron Hospital be closed, Exeter is outside the limits of "equity of access", to the near- est secondary hospital. Not only will Exeter be a de- prived community, but so will the townships of Us - borne, Stephen, part of Hay, Middlesex and Lambton as well. I believe that this is an outrage, di- rected against more than 10,000 people of these communities that are presently serviced by South Huron Hospital. Exeter and the community surrounding it have in- vested unmeasured time, monies, and resources to help make our hospital an attractive and a smoothly operating institution. In the early 1950's, the citizens of the surrounding communities worked together to finance and open a local hospital. Today, with your proposals, it iippears that the efforts of those pio- neers have been wasted, for they had numerous ob- stacles to overcome, and with their continued zeal, they were successful. Today, it is a cooperative ef- fort of interested citizens who support and partici- pate in the activities of the Ladies Auxiliary to South Huron Hospital through the rummage sale twice a year (two tremendously successful events, generating thousands of dollars that are spent to- wards improving equipment and facilities). It was a part of this group of citizens who filled the auditori- um of the South Huron Rec. Centre to overflowing, so that even standing room was not available - pro- testing the proposed change of status to South Hu- ron Hospital and the loss of hospital facilities. 'Presently, we are blessed in our community with several good doctors. Should our hospital close, I'm afraid we shall lose them, as I am told that the pres- ence of South Huron Hospital was a drawing card, that influenced their decision to practice in Exeter. I note that the offices of the doctors are within one block of the hospital, and they freely use the facili- ties offered there. I think of a number of instances, when a commu- nity member has been rushed to Exeter in an emer- gency situation and it is doubtful that some of them could have survived a trip to the city for assistance. Should we be left with only an emergency stop -off, I question the availability of the expertise of quali- fied staff. I feel that as a citizen who pays taxes (as do the other thousands of affected people) I (and they) have a right to expect adequate health care. If you close South Huron Hospital as a hospital, you are vi- olating our rights to what so many others are taking for granted and are receiving without a fight - the right to accessible health assistance when it is need- ed and where it is needed. South Huron Hospital has been used for a backup for the larger hospitals, for patients having complet- ed surgery and are in process of recovering. Three community instances in the past six weeks come to my mind, where patients have been sent home too soon to recover after surgery. The first has had to re- turn to Stratford twice to have infection cleared up. The second became infected after being sent home too soon after surgery and spent nine days in South Huron Hospital recovering. The third, after heart by- pass surgery, contacted infection, was rushed back to London and died. This, I believe, is a misuse of priorities and available health care. I realize that administration and "housekeeping" chores are costly, but is there not some way that of- fice ffree and administration can be consolidated with an - o' 'er hospital or hospitals, to eliminate some of the "pricey" jobs. Perhaps South Huron Hospitals could work under the Goderich administration, for exam- ple. With the advances in technology, and the equip- ment already in place, this should not be a major problem. I firmly believe that some measure of co- operation and compromise can offer an effective so- lution. Please review your decisions, and the options you made available to us. The three options you present- ed to us are totally unacceptable, when in fact they were one inappropriate option reworded in three ways. To me, the best measure of competence would be to keep Exeter with Goderich, Stratford, and Listowel (if you are trying to maintain only four). These four centres in a "square" that could ef- fectively serve the communities in question. Respectfully submitted, Jean Hodgert Harris sadly mistaken The Harris machine insists it is applying responsibility as it. "fix- es" the deficit.... Dear Editor: I am neither Liberal or Conservative. I do not have a particular allegiance to any party. I haven't spoken out on political issues before. This silence has not been because of apathy, but rather a comic sense that if governments do not do a great good, they probably do not effect a great harm.' was wrong. I could forgive a government that was merely inept; it is harder to feel kindly toward one which uses devious tactics and avoids responsibili- ty. The Hams machine insists it is applying responsi- bility as it "fixes" the deficit problem. They would have us believe that they must make huge slashes into school and hospital funding to this end. Their rash plans to reshape public education and health care structures cut away at the very fabric of Onta- rio, despite public pleas for a slower more moderate approach. It appears that the Harris government views the deficit as a tumor they must excise, even if it kills the patient in the process. . If the proposed changes are frightening, the Con- servative tactics to create confusion and division in the public ranks are deplorable. Bewildered school boards can only wonder when and how many more funding cuts are to come. Local communities have been forced into a fight against one another to pre- serve hospitals close enough to save lives, and pro- vide care near the comfort of friends and family. Worse yet, the provincial government has attempted to pass responsibility for hospital closures to district hospital councils who have no choice but to act on the mandate by the Conservatives to slice twenty per cent from existing budget. I believe Harris is sadly mistaken if he thinks the majority of Ontarians are willing to stand by, while his policies jeopardize the young, the elderly and the sick in the name of fiscal responsibility. The attempt to divorce his government from such actions by hid- ing behind studies and commissions is cowardly. Like Shakespeare's mean-spirited Shylock, this gov- ernment has not only asked for a "pound of flesh" but that it be taken from closest to the heart. We can no longer be silent. Perhaps we should ask Mr. Harris if it will be he who comes to the door when the first person in our area loses a loved one, because a hospital is just too far away. Sincerely Bonnie Becker S Save South Huron Hospital With loving care and compassion he and me were looked after... Dear Editor: My late husband and I have been patients at South Huron Hospital often. i • Jim with his emphysema (lung trouble , myself with heart trouble. On January 1, 1994 Hof tman's ambulance drivers took my husband in a blinding snowstorm to Exeter. He would never have made it to London. Sadly, Jim passed away January 2 1996. With loving care and compassion he and me were looked after. Please, please save our hospital. Sincerely Marlon Roobol Henault Speak up - make your feelings known! "All involved feel strongly that if a longer trip to a hospital, such as Seaforth or Clinton, had been necessary, Lisa certainly would not be alive today." Dear Editor; You have probably heard the phrase "When you can't breathe, nothing else matters". Those words, used in a recent television commercial have a spe- cial meaning for my family. Our two daughters, Julie and Lisa, suffer from al- lergies and asthma. Both of them received regular injections of allergy control serum for approxi- mately five years. Over a year ago, Julie success- fully completed her series of treatments. Lisa, our youngest daughter, continued to receive regular in- jections with minimal side effects until last year. A dramatic change occurred on October 6, 1995. Lisa, who was thirteen at the time, had a severe reaction to allergy control drugs. Instead of calling for an ambulance, and waiting for it to arrive, I de- cided to deliver her to the South Huron Hospital emergency department myself. Julie accompanied us to help comfort Lisa during what would seem like a long slow trip. The distance from Hensall to Exeter is ten kilometers. That afternoon it felt like twenty. I must admit that I didn't obey the posted speed limits. Lisa had extreme difficulty breathing and was starting to turn blue by the time we en- tered the north end of Exeter. It was fortunate that Julie came with us as it took both of us to assist Lisa into the hospital emergency room. A doctor and three nurses worked for approximately forty minutes to stabilize her vital signs. It was also nec- essary for her to remain in the hospital overnight for treatment and observation. When I asked the doctor if I should have called for an ambulance he replied that we didn't have time. The additional de- lay would likely have resulted in her death. In October of 1995 it took almost forty-five min- utes for the danger signals to appear. Since that time, Lisa had been required to remain in the wait- ing room for twenty to thirty minutes after receiv- ing her shots so the medical staff could watch for any further signs of an allergic reaction. On November 29, 1996 Lisa kept her scheduled appointment at the Hensall Medical Centre. This time it only took around three minutes for a life- threatening reaction to occur. The medical person- nel there did all they could, but, soon realized that Lisa had to be transported to South Huron Hospital in Exeter by ambulance as soon as possible. At the hospital we were informed that Lisa had been just minutes away from suffering cardiac arrest. Treat- ment was successful and, after an overnight stay in the hospital for observation, she was released the next day. Thanks to quick action by staff on duty at Hensall Medical Centre, Zurich Ambulance and South Huron Hospital, Lisa is recovering from a very frightening and dangerous situation. All involved feel strongly that if a longer trip to a hospital, such as Seaforth or Clinton, had been nec-' essary, Lisa certainly would not be alive today. These are only two of a great number of similar emergencies that occur every day. Many residhnts of this area are alive today due to the presence of the South Huron Hospital and the variety of services Ailable there. A well equipped emergency depart- ment is an absolute necessity in Exeter. A certain minimum number of hospital beds are also a neces- sity for proper patient care immediately after emer- gency treatment. Our provincial government is trying to cut costs. By closing as many hospitals as we allow them to, they hope that savings will result from laying off staff, reducing building maintenance costs and de- creasing the outlay for equipment and supplies. They believe that will solve their financial difficul- ties. The average resident of this area, however, will soon .iotice some very undesirable changes. There will be longer ambulance trips to the near- est hospital during a personal medical crisis. This could very easily result in more deaths on the way to the hospital. Unemployment figures will be high- er in this county as a result of the layoffs. Some peo- ple may even move away from this area in order to be closer to medical services. Some proud Canadians (and quite a few America bashers) have, in the past, stated that one of the ad- vantages of living in this country, instead of the U.S., is our superior health-care system. It looks like they won't be using that comparison much longer, if our "servants" in Toronto have their way. Maybe some of our political leaders and bureaucrats need to have a personal medical crisis of their own to re- align their thinking with reality. My family and I are very grateful for the excellent medical care that we have received. At the same time we are becoming increasingly fearful as to what the future holds for us. This letter has been about the experiences of my family. Now, dear reader, it is time for you to exam- ine your own situation. Have you been lucky so far? What is waiting in the future for you? Will you con- tinue to be immune to accidents and other health re- lated problems or will events and aging catch up to you too? How secure are you in the belief that time- ly and appropriate help will be available when you need it? If you are concerned for your future, speak up and make your feelings known. You will be help- ing not only yourself, but, also everyone who lives within the area serviced by South Huron Hospital. Sincerely, Clark Forrest, Hensall Hospital Board should rescind agreement with administrator "Then one administrator could be hired for all the hospitals." Dear Editor: After asking approximately 35 area people wheth- er it was right that South Huron Hospital Board pay the administrator $200,000 if the hospital closed or if he was let go, the standard answer ranged from ri- diculous to just plain stupid. Most people agreed that the hospital should stay open, even if it was on a reduced scale. Some of the ideas put forth were; 1. All Huron County Administrators should be let go on standard terms, one week of pay per year of service. This would save approximately $100,000 per year in Exeter. Then one administrator could be hired for all the hospitals. 2. The administrator's private secretary should be let go as well. This would save approximately $40,000 per year. 3. Maintenance of the hospital should be given to a private contractor.The savings could be substan- tial. 4. One x-ray technician instead of two would save approximately $50,000 per year.Maybe close the x- ray department and use another hospital for the ser- vice. 5. A budget should be made up and presented to the District Health Council and the Ministry of Health. These are probably just a few ways of cutting the operating budget of our hospital. If the present board would look at all areas, the budget could like- ly be reduced by $250,000 - $350,000 or more per year.This may mean some changes for certain ser- vices. After the board has cut all the fat and unnecessary overhead,. another idea passed on by some people was to privatize a certain number of beds (maybe 25). These beds would be used much like a nursing home. Most people felt that the Health Council and the Ministry would take a good look at keeping South Huron Hospital open. This would not be an easy task for the board, but I am sure a solution can be found to keep our hospital open and run it much like you would a private busi- ness. Maybe it's time that some business people in the community got involved in the management of the hospital. Eric Kints Grand Bend ignored "...the Greater Grand Bend Com • - munity is not recognized as the largest urban community between Goderich and Sarnia..." Dear Editor: The phrase 'Community of Interest' has frequent- ly been used over the past year as part of the rheto- ric on municipal restructuring with a variety of opinions on what constitutes a common interest. I would suggest that the real common interest within a community is the supply of basic services with health care at the top of the list or close to it. The current situation relative to South Huron Hos- pital proves this point and shows how closely the Greater Grand Bend Community, Exeter and the ad- jacent townships are tied together. It is my opinion that one of the reasons that the South Huron Hospital has fared so poorly to date relative to the Huron -Perth hospital study, is that the Greater Grand Bend Community is not recognized as the largest urban community between Goderich and Sarnia with a population of at least 5,000. The Greater Grand Bend Community is fragmented by three municipal governments and it straddles county boundaries which results in a lack of definition and co-ordination in the overall community. As a result it would seem that the Task Force of the Huron -Perth District Health Council has failed to recognize the importance of the South Huron Hospital to this area and conversely the importance of this area to the South Huron Hospital. Decisions relating to the supply of services must be made on the realities of present day communities and not be geared to out of date boundaries. Yours sincerely, Roy Merkley, Greater Grand Bend 4