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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1979-09-27, Page 6PAGE 6—GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 1979 Taylor t ry provincial bed allocation Elmer Taylor, administrator of Goderich's Alexandra Marine and General Hospital has been appointed to a provincial committee to study the Ontario Ministry of Health's bed allocation method. Board members Monday evening told Taylor they were anxious for him to attend, even if it did mean 'he would be absent from his desk from time to time. "I certainly think you should go," said Dr. Ken Lambert, "Maybe you can rattle a few brains down there in Queen's Park. Obviously their methodology is for the birds." Davison. • from page 1 e i another bylaw naming him as its advisor. The second bylaw was given two readings last week but council agreed to delay the final reading until it found out if Davidson was willing to serve as the committee advisor. Council wrote Davidson a letter asking if he was willing to serve in an advisory capacity but Davidson's response was not as precise an awnser as council wanted. In a letter to council Davidson said he had been a member of LACAC since its inception and was "in support of its goals of preserving and enhancing the historical and architectural heritage of Goderich". He added that he hoped he had been "able to make a contribution to the achievement of these goals and would like to continue to work towards them". Council couldn't decide if that was a yes or no from Davidson. Councillor Jim Searls said he felt it may be premature to vote on the -bylaw. He said he wanted to know how Davidson felt and couldn't support the bylaw until he got a "direct awn - ser" from the planner. "It's kind of a Mexican standoff but I want an awnser before I vote and I think it would be a mistake not to get that awnser," said Searls. Reeve Eileen Palmer felt Davidson;s rep- sonse was adequate and moved the bylaw be given a third and final reading. Only deputy -reeve Bob Allen and mayor Har -y Worsell agreed with Palther. Allen and Palmer were disappointed by council's action in defeating the bylaw. Allen told council that Davidson, as a county planner, worked for. the town of Goderich and that work was paid for in tax money paid into county coffers. _.Allen_...s.aid that made Davidson an employee. of the town and as such he had a conflict of interest on LACAC. Mayor Worsell said he had contacted the county clerk and had been told that as far as the county was concerned Davidson was their employee not the town's. Palmer argued that by having Davidson's letter to council read before voting on the bylaw council had put the "cart before the horse". She said the letter, in which Davidson pointed out no conflict of interest had been established and asked if he could be told where the conflict Town buys sewer sucker Goderich town council agreed Monday night to purchase a used sewer flusher from the city of North York for $6,500. Ken Hunter, com- missioner of works, recommended to council that the machine be purchased claiming it could pay for itself in one and a half years. Hunter told council the unit would, barring any unforseen repair costs, be saving the town thousands of dollars annually as well as allowing works and engineering to keep the town's sewers in better repair. He told council the town now has to rent a sewer flusher to clean sewers and because of time restrictions and cost can only do a portion of the work.that should be done. He explained that with the machine the town crews could , systematically clean all sewer pipes in town over three years and then keep the pipes cleaned. He said one third of the sewers would be done annually pointing out that some of the sewers in Goderich had not been flushed out in 75 years. Hunter said the unit purchased needed some body work but felt the town mechanic could handle it. WELCOME SERVICE would like to cell you with housewarming gifts", and Information about your new location. The Hostess will be glad to arrange your subscription to the Signal -Star. l . Cali her of 524.9062 Former board chairman Jo Berry drew to the board's attention the fact that Taylor is the only representative from the small hospitals. Taylor has just ended service on a committee to study the reimbursements to small hospitals. He told the board a report is expected on the government's reaction to this study, on Friday. It appears that the board members at AM&G aren't interested in an open house to show the public the new laundry facility., was, contained "nothing more than abstract questions". Councillor Elsa Haydon said Davidson's questions were no more abstract than council's alleged conflict of interest. "I've raised four children and as a parent, which we (council) are in this 'situation, when we slap somebody's wrist we don't want them coming back and asking why," said Palmer. "I feel this is a bold letter." "Til you tell me why he has a conflict of in- terest I'll continue to vote the same way," said councillor Jim Searls. "I can't help it if you don't understand the situation Searls," barked Palmer. Councillor Jim Magee asked clerk Larry McCabe where the town clerk sends the cheques when Davidson does some planning work for the town of Goderich, "We don't pay for that directly," said McCabe. "Then he's not an employee," said Magee. It isn't that the board is unhappy with the facility. It is simply that a laundry opening would cost money and nobody was too in- terested in spending money for this reason. Elmer Taylor, administrator, said the board could probably host a "cost efficient opening" but no action was taken on his proposal. +++ Speaking of the laundry, Dr. Ken Lamb.ert told the board Monday evening that he realizes now what "an absolutely super service" the old laundry provided for AM&G. Dr. Lambert, a surgeon, complained that the laundry service now used by the hospital, has a problem . with lint. He said in the operating room, lint -free towels are important. "It isn't good when you have lint falling into somebody's tummy while you're working," smiled,Dr. Lambert. "That can cause all sorts of problems later." Elmer Taylor said the central laundrKsupply has been advised of the problem, and is working to control it. The outspoken doctor also advised the board the laundry service insists of sending "jum- psuits for midgets". Dr. Lambert said he continue to tie them in knots and return them to the laundry centre with a note that says Goderich has no midgets and therefore has no need for jumpsuits to fit them. Taylor told the board that while the quality of the laundry could be improved a little, the quantity of laundry available for staff to use in the hospital has "vastly improved". Dr. Lambert concurred that overall, the new laundry service has advantages for the hospital. +++ Members of the board at AM&G went into committee -of -the -whole for a large part of Monday's meeting. According to new chairman Gordon Crabb, the bulk of the discussion centred around the Woods,Gordon study which is going on at the hospital. Dr. Ken Lambert argued that there were some things that the public had a right to know, and urged that they be handled in open session. Crabb explained that while there was no `attempt to keep the public in the dark about the recommendations of the Woods,Gordon people, it was felt it was best to keep it within the confines of hospital officials until Woods, Gordon made an overall presentation to staff and to the board. Crabb promised that when Woods, Gordon ,representatives made that presentation,, the press will be allowed to report on it. No date was given for the report. +++ The ambulance department at AM&G is "slightly under budget" at the present time, according to administrator Elmer Taylor. He said the savings suggested by the em- ployees have been substantial, and there is hope now the ambulance service will be within budget for a year's operation. +++ A finance committee report to the board at AM&G Monday evening revealled that salary The former laundry building at Alexandra Marine and 'General Hospital is coming down. The contract was recently awarded by the board to Lumley Demolition, and 'work is just about complete. The laundry structure which until this.summer handled all the work for AM&G, was pronounced unsafe and ordered closed. A new central laundry service is now in use at the hospital and is operating out of the new receiving, dispatching and storage dock to the north .of the hospital. (For a further story on the laundry see AM&G Briefs els»here in this issue.) photo by Joanne Buchanan costs are in excess of the budget at the present moment. Bill Alcock explained that patient days are also about 1300 over budget, accounting for the fact that extra staff was required to handle the heavier workload. As well, staff holidays necessitated more overtime hours. There were quite a number of sick time payments, too, Alcock said. But it is really nothing to get excited about, Alcock feels. He believes it will level off and by March, come within budget. - Referrals from the Clinton area to Goderich's AM&G Hospital have been high during the summer, Elmer Taylor pointed out. He said it was too early to tell if there is a change in referral patterns, but said that has been a substantial increase in the number of in- patients and out-patients from that district." Board room... • from page 1 suggested the board could meet elsewhere, even outside the hospital if necessary. "I think Dr. Lambert has a good point," said Dempsey. "Whether or not the public will be invited to our meetings is another matter entirely," said Chairman Gordon Crabb. "But running a hospital is a business and in some, cases, big business." "We could have no patients if there isn't proper facilities for administrative personnel to work," said Crabb Before any decision is made, a firm estimate of costs to expand the present quarters will be presented to the board. PICK YOUR OWN. 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