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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1999-05-26, Page 11Wednesday. May 26, 1999 lisseeor Time. -,Advocate News and thanks from South Huron Hospital As discussed in our local newspapers, the past month has certainly not been uneventful at South Huron Hospital. Some of the developments can only be described as `amaz- ing'. At time of writ- ing this update. all required documen- tation for the Alternative Payment Plan (APP) designed to keep ourDR-DOUG ��ER Emergency • gets for years, and has simply been told by the Ministry of Health i.e. the Provincial Government that there simply is no money available to give us. We have been unable to hire a second physio- therapist for exam- ple. Thus when there is vacation, continuing educa- tion, or illness, in essence we have no coverage, in spite of an over -whelming schedule of both inpatients and out- patients. We have also been told by the Ministry of Health that we must further cut expenses. Therefore we have creat- ed packages for early tatirement/exit, cut hours for some, had to seri- ously redefine staffing. We have in all sincerity had fewer people do more with less. We have submitted deficit budgets that have not been accepted. We have been told on numer- ous occasions that only a balanced budget is accept- able, and a full recovery plan must . accompany our revisions. Our staff has spent hundreds of person hours submitting paper- work, and at the sante time had to wrestle with the potential of losing their jobs, having their hours chopped, having to uproot their families and move. The Board of Governors of this hospital is well aware of the tremendous amount of stress its employees have been under. Suddenly, our hospital has been made the proud recipient of hundreds of thousands of dollars in the past few weeks. The APP alone is well over CHAIR OF THE Department open, mum) has been signed by all parties except the doctors themselves. As Dr. Hodder, Our Chief of Staff stated when inter- viewed. " All the local physicians endorse, this wholeheartedly". I sin- cerely hope that their approval will be immedi- ate as full time ER cover- age is such an essential part of our hospital, and in essence the busy tourist season is here. I would sincerely like to extend Thanks, to Helen Johns for helping have the APP approved by the Ministry of Health so quickly. It amazes me what can be completed when there is a political will to do so. Thank You Helen. We also learned last week that then medical centre for Grand Bend has been approved as well. o►ngratulations to the **ny volunteers that worked so hard for so many hours gathering information submitting proposals, and trying to contact the appropriate , individuals at the appro- priate time. I have also been amazed that ° our hospital has wrestled with deficit bud - $600,000. This is exclusive of all other disbursements such as those associated with nursing and restruc- turing. 1 find it amazing that we assigned tasks to our employees such as the preparation of recovery plans for not, when their talents could have been better spent of more use- ful pursuits such as much needed restructuring. We have aggressively tried to persuade the Ministry for years, that we have been underfunded for years, and other than them admitting that we have not been given an appro- priate amount of money these efforts were to no avail. Suddenly there i is a tremendous amount of money available for Health Care. According to asecent article, the pro- posed Grand Bend med- ical centre will not only duplicate some of our ser- vices such as physiothera- py, emergency. X-ray and ultrasound: it will have an estimated budget of $1.5 million per annum by 2002r 1 believe that is about 1/2 of our hospital budget, prior to the recent. 1 find it shnply amazing: that we Were curtailed: frog expanding or even maintaining our clinical programs with imminent cuts in funding the Government applied to us in the past years. and now the coin is completely reversed. There is money for "everything ". I cer- tainly wish the organizers who are working so hard to develop a clinic in Zurich Godspeed. and I hope all your wishes are realized I also wish the individu- als who are working Huron- County's book sale returns BLYTH An annual tradition since most books are priced at $1 with some 1980, the Blyth Festival's used book sale exceptions for new books and CDs. will take place in Blyth Memorial Hall on Additional deals are available oily. June 5 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. romance books, encyclopedias and Over the years, the book sale has records. become known as a great place for bar- Items to be donated to the book sale gains and great food and the tradition can be dropped off at the Blyth Festival will continue this year. In addition, door office from May 28 to June 4 between 9 prizes will also be awarded this year. a.m. and 5 p.m. Admission to the book sale is free and Submitted by the Blyth Festival Notice of Liquor Licence Application "The following establishment has applied to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario for a liquor licence under the Liquor Licence Act: Application for Additional Facilities Exeter Golf & Country Club Huron County Road a6, Usborne Township R.R. 1, Lot 11, Concession #2, Centralia (outdoor area) Any resident of the municipality may make written submission as to whether the issuance of the licence is in the public interest having regard to the needs and wishes of the residents. Submissions must be received no later than June 26, 1999. Please include your name, address and telephone number. if a petition is submitted to the Commission, please identify the designated contact person Note: The AGCO gives the applicant details of any objections. Submissions to be sent to: Licensing and Registration Department Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario 20 Dundas StW., 7th Floor, Toronto ON M5G 2N6 Fax: (416)326-5555 E-mail at liceashigeagcoson.ca behind the scenes to develop a Medical Arts facility in Exeter a produc- tive path. Your efforts are appreciated, as the cre- ation of this facility will certainly enhance doctor availability for all of us. With the new programs being established in our east basement wing, space is at a premium and I hope a suitable facility - such as the hospital owned building across the street, can be found. Maybe money for this pro- ject will be made readily available as well. I have real concerns when the pendulum will swing the other way. I wonder when this will happen? In closing, I would like to appeal to all readers to consider volunteering to sit on your Hospital's Board of Directors. It will not be boring. Because of the completion of terms, representatives from Dashwood and Grand Bend are urged to apply.: as are alt others. Please contact Michele Winder, Executive Assistant at 235-4002. extension 256 for ftirther information. It is your hospital, we need your help. Come out and join us for an information forum on June 2nd at 7:00 in the Old Town Hall, Bonnie Adamson: our CEO will be there to outline the progress our partnership 11 has made over the past year and to discuss con- cerns. Dr. Hodder and myself will be there as well. Thank you to the stag' for organizing this event. 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Eligible voters who wish ,to --vote at an advance poll, but who have not'yet received their Notice of Registration confirming that they are on -the-Voters List, may obtain a Certificate to Vote from the revision assistant at the advance poll location prior to casting their ballot. ktance Poll Voting \ill Be Held At ' 1 file Following, Locations At Area Advance Polls from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday May 26th, 27th and 28th In tbe1ecto 11 district Returning Office from 10 a.tn. to 8 p.m. of -S fun std. Mity 22nd and Monday through Friday May 24th to 28th, inclusive In the Electoral District of HURON -BRUCE I Elections Ontario+549) 235-4718 425 Main Street South, Exeter • Port Elgin Fire Hall, Port Elgin • Davidson Centre, 601 Durham, Kincardine • Wingham Council Chambers, Wingkam • St. Georges Parish Hall, Godericli • Clinton Council Chambers, Clinton • Municipal Office, Seaforth • Comtnunity Centre, Lucknow In the Electoral District of LAM ll'rON-KENT MIDDLESEX Elegy ti Ins Ontario (519) 845-3912 or (800) 964-4857 4475 i.ondon Line, Wyoming • Thedford-flosanquet Arena, 1 Allen Si, Thedford • ,Str.+tltroy Library, 34 Frank St., Strathroy • Glen& oe 1griculturtl Hall, 268 Currie Si, Glencoe • Fioi.cllc'r Community Centre, 621.) ,Ui11 Si, Florence' 0 -Happy Craft Club, 507 Elizabeth Si., Wallaceburg If you have friends or relatives who have difficulty reading, please make them aware of the information in this notice. A'.w.yw.wr *sae of the L.gtioMM•e .ht.e,thle Kota nw SofwnwOL AP3t37