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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1998-05-27, Page 3Jean Mason Exeter SHDHS reception/support staff 47 working with kids ("That keeps me young"); golf; gardening; lik.. hiellatu the cottage in Bayfield "I don't find too much fault in things." "Enjoy the simple things in life; live each day to the fullest; love yourself." TIT-1iEiJ_E11VS Times -Advocate, May 27, 1998 Page 3 A lack of care ...1 say he deserved the best pos- sible health care and he did not receive it." Dear Editor.: Sunday, May 17, 1998 was a day much the same as any in the previous week. It was warmer than is usual for this time of year, bright, balmy and breezy. It.was more like a day in summer than a day in spring time. There was however, one marked distinction for one family. It was an event taking place on that day in the lives of a wife and children and grandchildren who were present at the South Huron Hospital in Exeter, Ontario. There, a friend of mine, who had been a patient for the past three weeks lay dying. In fact he passed away around 2:30 that afternoon. That Sunday was part of the "Long Weekend" and it happened that the hospital was without a doctor either in attendance or on call. I understand that the nurses did their best to pro- vide the care he required. They noted that he needed a stronger medication to control his pain. But because no doctor was available. they could only give him regular strength Tylenol. Eventually and much later, authorization to administer a pain killer was received. (Have you ever tried to contact your doctor at night or on a weekend?) Not too lotlg ago the people in this area fought to keep our hospital open and functional and not become the "first-aid" station the government Restructuring Committee had proposed it be. The point was made that area residents, visitors at the lake and local business people would all benefit from having a viable hospital located here. Local doctors too were keenly interested in it's survival and would too benefit if it remained open. Well, we have a hospital. But who were the first people •o disregard an opportunity to be of service to it's patients and this community and show their dis- dain for the efforts made and the hard won fight to keep a certified hospital in this area? Furthermore, I understand that the relief doctor from London who in the past has filled in on week- ends did not feel obliged to cross the "glass line" established here by our local practitioners. When my friend died that bright, sunny afternoon, there was a final, dark indignity served on his widow. Because no doctor was available to certify . his passing, his body could not be released to her at the time of death, for burial arrangements. I know it was a Sunday and the following Monday was a holiday. But who knows and can calculate the strain, weariness and sadness she was under at that moment?She did not need the affront and additional concern at that time; especially after spending count- less hours over the previous three weeks at her hus-' band's bedside. Shame on someone! I hope, and I've heard other too say they hope, that no one else will die in hospital under such painful and frightening circumstances. There should always be a doctor either on the premises or on call, to respond to any complications which may suddenly occur. There should be a doctor available to the nurses when they determine that a necessary pain -killer needs to be administered, now. There should be a doctor in attendance who can ease our agony or that of our loved ones when atten- tion is required. Such a paucity of care and medical expertise as that provided by our local doctors on that weekend casts a pall of neglect and uncertainty over future expectations for our community. It is my opinion that any doctor enjoying hospital privileges should be expected to take weekend, on call shifts, in turn at the hospital. If they refuse, then their privileges should be revoked and they_should be required to so advise their patients. Question: How many people do you know who could afford to refuse $560 for an eight hour shift, whether they are called out or not? To the nurses who were on duty: If say thank you for attending to the needs of my friend. To the doctors concerned (with one notable excep- tion): I say he deserved the best possible health care and he did not receive it. Something needs to be done about this kind of sit- uation. Perhaps we need a Huron County Medical Review Board to bring some accountability to bear on these kinds of matters. Name withheld. Answer to "Exeter's Decision" The information presented in the Toronto Star is misleading and in- accurate.... Dear Editor: The Bluewater Recycling Association would like to take this opportunity to respond to comments made by Mr. Ron Westman in the May 20th edition of the Exeter Times Advocate. To being with. let us clarify that less than I per cent of all of the material that the Association col- lects from blue boxes from over 45,000 households goes to landfill. This material is any residual waste that is received in blue boxes that is not suitable for recovery. • Overall, the Bluewater Recycling Association' program recovers 86.56 per cent of all recyclables that are available, this includes materials from both the garbage and blue box streams. In other words for every 10 containers produced by householders, the Association is getting almost 9 of these contain- ers in the blue box. These recovery rates are even higher with user pay municipalities for many of the traditional blue box materials, such as old newspaper at 97.8 per cent, steel food and beverage containers at 95.7 per cent, aluminum products at 91.1 per cent. PET (atI plastic) at3.7 per cent and glass containers at 96.3 per cent. These figures are contrary to the figures cited in the Toronto Star report. which are in fact based on misinformation. Many of the facts and tiv.- ures which appeared in the Toronto Star report are based on inappropriate calculations, including the use of non -blue box materials in the calculation of recovery rates. Overall, the information presented in the Toronto Star is misleading. and inaccurate. Yours truly In this cleaner environment Francis Veilleux President Municipalities concerned with water transfer EXETER - While the Town of Exeter has expressed concerns for several months about the transfer of the Lake Huron Water System to London and municipalities, other partners in the agreement are also coming forth with concerns. Middlesex Centre expressed its support for Exeter's position and the County of Middlesex has expressed a number of concerns that complement Exeter's key points. Exeter's main concern is the overwhelming decision-making pow- ers the draft agreement gives to London, the largest user. Exeter wants certain key issues to be subject to a three-quarter majority vote to balance the weighted voting strength of London. These issues include: • Approval of any agreements with the Operating Agent or agree- ments with other parties that have a maximum value of more than $100,000; • New capacity capital budget ratification; • Capital replacement and rehabilitation reserve fund ratification; • Operating budget ratification; • Capital replacement and rehabilitation budget ratification; • Any re -allocation of unused capacity among the municipalities; and • Rate policy. in April, the City of London wrote to the Ministry of the Environ- ment regarding Exeter's concerns and disagreed with the request for three-quarters majority vote. The London letter states the majority vote could be used to delay decisions, upgrades and system expansion which would prevent growth in London. "In 'view of the City of London's 94 per cern financial interest in the system and consistent with discussions over the last several months, the City must have the majority voting rights on the Board. At the same time, we believe the binding arbitration process will protect the interests of the other secondary users," the letter states. Exeter also wanted to delay the transfer to allow the partners to go through the document in more depth. To this end, Exeter ad- ministrator Rick Hundey expects the MOE to start a formal six- month notice period for the transfer order so concerns can be re- solved. Changes coming for Clandeboye curve CLANDEBOYE - The infamous Clandehoye curve could become up to a four lane intersection if Min- istry of Transportation plans make it through the puhlic meeting pro- cess unscathed. Biddulph council discussed pro- posed changes to Highway 4 (now Richmond Street) at last week's meeting. Proposed changes include closing Clandehoye Drive at Highway 4 to avoid traffic congestion there with alt traffic attempting ro exit High- way 4 at the curve turning onto Denfield Road. A northhound lefthand turning lane would he added to help solve the bottleneck congestion at the in- tersection. Biddulph administrator Larry •Hotson said other proposed MTO plans include adding a southbound righthand turning lane and 'ex- tending the northhound righthand "slow lane" up the hill about an- other 200m. All work would he -paid for by the MTO. Hotson said one of council's con- cerns was over several lots on lames Street that could have homes huilt on them adding to traffic in the area. Council will forward their con- cerns to the MTO to assure that any perceived future problems are dealt with in the project plans. "Let's do it right the first time.- Hotson said. - MTC) will hold a puhlic meeting on the proposed changes - to the Clandehoye curve later this year, Hinson said. • Other notes from last week's meeting: • On the same page Council supports option one of. Middlesex amalgamation facilitator Bill Thomson's report that calls for Biddulph and Lucan to merge rath- er than option two that calls for a new merged municipality of Bid- dulph. Lucan. the Townships of McGillivray and West and East Williams and the north half of a split Adelaide Township. Option two was ' favored by Thomson though most Middlesex municipal- ities have supported option one. Council wants ,to . move ahead with merger talks with Lucan but decided to wait• till lafter to-. morrow's North Middlesex joint meeting and for the province to re- lease final assessment figures. Adare Drive to get work Part of Adare Drive that many area people have driven across for years is not owned by the township but has in fact always been in pri- vate hands. 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