Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1986-11-26, Page 3Hospital board discuss microscope and computer Purchase of an operating room microscope, computer equipment for the business office and the possibility of hiring a speech therapist were some of the topics discussed at the regular montly meeting off the Alexandra Marine and General Hospital Board held Monday night. Ken Engelstad, hospital administrator, spoke to baord members on Zehrs fund rais- ing project for the surgical microscope. He said that just over $9,000 had been raised from the project as well as private donations. "The Zehrs store raised $3,838 with the Hospital Auxiliary donating $3,840, the Maple Leaf IODE donating $500, the Goderich Women's Institute donating $500 and private donations totalling $600," he said, adding that the amount raised was more than expected. The board is currently looking at two microscopes, one of which will be purchased following an evaluation to be undertaken in mid-December. Engelstad said he hoped the microscope would be purchased and in use in January 1987. The microscope will enable the hospital to perform certain types of ear surgery on children Currently, those needing such operatings are referred to Stratford General Hospital. Last year, the board approved a $10,000 budget for the purchase of the microscope. However, the cost of the two microscopes which the hospital is looking at purchasing v.randge from $10,000 to $13,500. At Monday night's meeting, the board authorized the raising of the budget ceiling for the microscope to $15,000. Engelstad commended Jill Vernon, operating room head nurse, and Dave Bureau to help Huron families Switzer, senior clerk at Zehrs, for their ef- forts m heading up the fund raising project. Engelstad also told board members of his meeting held with a Huron County Board of Education represenatives as well as a representative of the Clinton hospital con- cerning speech pathology services in the county. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss concerns with regard to the present system of supplying services to clients and, in par- ticular, the transfer of pre-schoolers to the school system, he told the board. He said that with the county lacking enough speech pathologists there was nothing the hospital could do to alleviate problems. "If we can come up with one more (speech pathologist) than it will be double the number in Clinton and Goderich," Engelstad said, adding that 'another meeting with all county hospitals, speech pathologists and board of education representatives will be held in January. In other business, hospital board members heard from Stan Connelly, chair- man of the hospital property committee, regarding the purchase of an IBM PC model 339 computer to be used in the hospital Collecting and distributing toys, clothes and food to children and families who need help with Christmas is what Family and Children's Services (FCS) of Huron County's Christmas Bureau is all about. Once again FCS is operating the Christmas Bureau through a network of volunteer groups and individuals across the county. This centralized service for families began more than 25 years ago to provide consistency and confidentiality to families and to avoid duplication in services. The Christmas Bureau is operated in the five major county towns,. namely, Clinton, Exeter, Goderich, Seaforth and Wingham. The 1986 Bureau is co-ordinated by Mrs. Pauline Lingard of Grand Bend who oversees the total program and provides consultation for local groups in order that there is some uniformity of service to families in the county. She is assisted by Mrs. Margaret Allan of Clinton who pro- vides volunteer secretarial services which &allow FCS to request donations and goods and money. In Goderich, the Christmas Bureau is manned by the Goderich Lioness Club under the direction of Mrs. Dorothy Bourdeau and Mrs. Yvonne Porter. Last year's Bureau in Goderich was also looked after by the Lioness Club. "This year's Goderich Bureau is going to be at Art's Landscaping at 166 Bennett St. East from December 8 to the 13th during which time people can drop off gifts of toys, clothing, food and money. This is a period in which the group accumulates gifts before distributing them," Lingard said. The Christmas Bureau is a location where people drop off donations for children and families who may be less fortunate than themselves at Christmas. It is often very difficult for parents to admit that they can- not provide the extras for their children at this special time of the year. The Christmas Bureau offers families a private confiden- tial service through a local volunteer group - which will help them select a suitable gift and a new piece of clothing for their child. As well, families are offered 'canned goods and staples to help with Christmas dinner. Throughout the year, FCS provides wool for volunteers to knit mitts so children can have warm hands on cold winter days. Lingard explained that families who receive help from the Christmas Bureau are referred to FCS in a number of ways such as calling FCS themselves or being referred by other agencies, social workers and the public health unit. "The Christmas Bureau is not exclusively for clients of FCS. The project is directed at anyone who needs assistance at Christmas," Lingard said. During the week of December 15-20, families who are on the Christmas Bureau list receive individual appointments to select gifts for their child and food for the amily. • t "We doh't identify the family as needing this 'or taking that (during the distribution time). Instead, we see it as alternative Shopping. Our goal is to provide each child with a new toy, a new piece of clothing and a 3ouple pair -of mitts. Canned goods .to aug- ment the holiday meals are also available," Lingard said. She added that each group in the five towns follow this basic guideline and that helping a family beyond this point was at their own sense of discretion. Last year, 300 Huron County families were helped with Christmas by the Christmas Bureau's in the five towns. Each year the number of families requir- Iing help from the Christmas Bureau ;changes according to their individual needs. FCS hears annually from parents who wish "o donate after receiving or who let them know that while they needed help last year, this year they are able to provide for their families themselves. Local groups who Manage the project throughout the county ire rewarded by the appreciation of moms ind diads when they realize that their children will have gifts under the tree on Christmas morning and good things to eat ;on that special day. Donations of gifts, clothing and food to be ;used by the Christmas Bureau can also be dropped off at McDonalds and various ;Kinsmen drop centres. t Financial contributions can be made at any time to Family and Children's Servicer, X18 Gloucester Terrace, Goderich, Ontario '1\47A business office. Cosi vi toe ccaneputar, wtacr. will arrive at the hospital today Wednes- day) is $9,353 plus provincial sales tax. Joyce Shack, director of nursing at the hospital, spoke to the board about her con- cerns regarding the Harvard pump for con- tinuos epidural analgesia and the request by some doctors for nurses to "top -up" the epidurals. She told the board that with the purchase of the pump last year, nurses were no longer required to "top -up" the epidurals since the pump provided a continuous epidural analgesia and because of this, the nurses who were certified -to carry out this pro" cedure were re -certified only for continuous epidural analgesia. However, recently some doctors have been requesting nurses to "top -up" an epidural and the nurses are essentially no longer covered. Shack said she was concerned with the frequency or infrequency of nurses being asked to "top -up" an epidural and would be keeping a record for the following few mon- ths to see if the nurses have an adequate ex- perience to maintain competence. She spoke to the board because she wanted the board to be aware of the study which she was undertaking. GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1986 PAGE 3 COLOUR FOR CHRISTMAS Special Tanning Session Offer per session $490 Otter good until Jan. 1, 1987 MU IFBM 1250% 510000 or more. Term 30.59 days. ON YOUR MONEY All rates subject to change without notice. 05, 009:V5.000. 650.000. 41100,000. Tom, 30.59 drys. Term 30-00 Oryx. #� STANDARD TRUST 138 THE SQUARE, GODERICH • 524-7385 Member - Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation 1.TI4.:.l.1LIE' MENS 1St Quality Fleecy Sets 2O04.. OFF CHARMANS LUCKNOW 528-2526 CHANEL A Tremendous Selection... To Suit Every Budget and Every Christmas Wish. Gift sets are a great way to say you care. Each set represents excellent value from the manufacturer and features items which best compliment each other. Gift boxed for easy wrapping, they make the IDEAL Christmas Gift. STETSON - FOR HIM FOR HIM dwzry • Free Gift Wrapping on Request _ Gift Certificates Available V/Sill MasterCard MEM Your Friendly Neighbourhood Drugstore Pha rmac 14 SHOPPERS SQUARE GODERICH 524-7241