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The Wingham Advance-Times, 1989-05-30, Page 12LEAVING BOARD—Shirley Gamiss of Morris Township and John Schenk of Wingham are retir- ing after six years with the board of governors of Wingham and District Hospital. At the board's reg- ular May meeting, Chairman Mary Lou Thompson thanks them for their service. Hospital ends fiscaI year with $82,253 net surplus The board of governors of Wing - ham and District Hospital gave approval Thursday to the audited financial statement for its 1988-89 fiscal year. The financial statement was pre- sented by Janet Clark, finance and audit committee chairman, during her report to the board's regular May meeting. The audited statement shows the hospital finished the year with an excess of revenue over expense of $213,796. However, after a $131,543 appropriation for capital purposes, the net surplus is $82,253. In the previous fiscal year, that net figure was $194,222 and in response to questions, Mrs. Clark told the board the difference in the net figures is "because costs are ge' up and revenue is not match - crease." 1 he ooard, for some time now, has been concerned with the steadi- ly increasing costs for providing services at the hospital while, on the other hand, provincial govern- ment funding — the major source of revenue — has not. Vice -Chairman Bob Middleton indicated that the $111,969 differ- ence between this year's surplus and last year's is a sign that the financial handwriting is already on the wall. "Once we're digging into the surplus, this board is going to be more and more hard pressed to approve any new programs," he said. Executive Director Norman Hayes told the board that the hos- pital has already been notified that provincial government funding would increase by only four per cent this year. However, we know our costs are going to. be.about 5.8 -per cent (higher)," he said. In addition, Mr. Hayes said, the growth factor for hospitals is expected to cap out at about two per cent. So, if you have a 10 per cent growth in your community, you're still only going to get two per cent." Earlier in the meeting, Mr. Hayes warned the board not to get overly enthused about Health Minister Eli- nor Caplan's recent announcement about an incentives fund program. "There's a kicker in there," he said. "After the second year, all costs will be borne by the hospital." In addition, he said, the likely formula for producing funds for the program will end up costing hospi- tals in the long run. "The cute part of all of this is that you have a distribution (of funds) where you have a mean," he said. "When you take the money from those above the mean, the mean lowers, and that's a real dandy way to put the screws on." The province, Mr. Hayes said, will keep taking money from those above the line to continuously lower the mean. "That's where the money is going to come from for this pro- gram." The board also expressed concern about another unexpected financial blow to the hospital budget follow- ing the recent provincial budget announcements and subsequent changes in payment of OHIP pre- miums. These changes are expected to cost Wingham and District Hospital an additional $80,000 annually. The efficient operation of a hospi- tal becomes increasingly difficult with "these shocks that keep com- ing out of left field," Mr. Hayes said.. °'If they continues I simply, , cart't'maaiufacture und's mut sf'thiii airs /0 As earlier stated, the major share of revenue — $7,101,642 — was provided by the ministry of health. Patients' and other accounts' con- tributed $702,573 to 1988-89 rev- enue, and recoveries and sales another $156,717. Interest and donations produced $142,370. Once again, salaries and employ- ee benefits were the two most cost- ly items on the expenditure side of the 19 -89 statement. Salaries accounted for the largest chunk by far at $5,751,430 while employee benefits cost the hospital $478,947. During her presentation of the statement, Mrs. Clark pointed out that revenue in the 1988-89 fiscal year totalled $8,103,302 while expenses totalled $7,889,506. Special budget meeting June 21 A special meeting will be held June 21 to allow the Wingham and District Hospital's board of gover- nors to approve its 1989-90 operat- ing budget. The special meeting is necessary in order for presentation of the approved budget the following evening to the annual meeting of the Wingham and District Hospital Corporation. Morris council hires student Morris council has hired a stu- dent to work for the township mad crew during the summer months. Margaret Cronyn, 18, of RR 4, Blyth, starts toe work by' the 'end a; June A Wingham boy spent a wild and wonderful day at Disney World last week,, thanks to Sunshine Founda- tion's "Dreamlift"'programa Yes, that's right one day. ;Bill Bailie, a Grade 8 student at Wing- ham ingham Public School, was one of 83 children on a whirlwind visit to Disney World in Florida. A spokesman for the Sunshine Foundation, said this is the fourth such "Dreamlift", in which a large group of children go on a day -long trip. All of the children are ill or r have some physical impairment. Many, like Bill, have cancer, but others are severely handicapped or have heart conditions, to name just a few. They are referred by child -wel- fare agencies and hospitals. Bill was referred by the Children's Hospital of Western Ontario at London, where he spends one day each week taking chemotherapy treat- ments. Bill and many of his fellow trav- ellers spent last Monday night in a London hotel and were up at 4 o'clock Tuesday morning to get ready for the trip. They boarded a jet at the London airport just after.6 a.m. and arrived in Florida thre and one-half hours later. While onboard the jet, Bill and the other half dozen children not in wheelchairs, had free run and even were able to visit the cockpit. It was Bill's first plane ride and he loved it. Once they arrived in Florida, a police escort guided their bus to Disney World. Each child was given $25 spending money and allowed to enjoy the day. Bill says he spent all of his on food since he would have had to pay duty on souvenirs In addition to the many volun- teers who had accompanied the children to Florida, a number of United States Navy servicemen also chaperoned the youngsters. At Disney World, Bill took in all the popular attractions, such as "Thunder Mountain", "Space Mountain" and "Pirates of the Caribbean". He didn't get a chance to see everything and before he knew, it was time to board the jet again for home. He arrived back in Wingham at 2 a.m. Wednesday morning, but was at school Wednesday afternoon to his classmates alI a 'according to teacher P 16.E S NSHIN. FOU The Sunshine Foundation of e Canada was formedt1987 by - Donna and Ed Czach , .L . on.. It had been a dream of 'their son Paul who died of muscular drstro "hy. In addition to the four *'ream, lift operations, the fo .lotion also has arrangedindividual' trips for children or meetings With heroes and personalities, or even bought the youngsters things such as com- puters. A spokesman for the. foundation said it has fulfilled the dreams of over 800 Canadian youngsters in the past two years. A similar orga- nization exists in the United States. In Bill's case, he started to feel sick almost one year ago. He wasn't getting any better and a battery of tests finally confirmed that he had leukemia. He started his treatments imme- diately and they continued throughout the fall and winter, leaving Bill sick and weak. He also suffered from many of the side effects of the drug, such as hair loss and nausea. Even though he continues to take chemotherapy, Bill is making progress. He says he ,is feeling stronger and his doctors tell him he is doing well.. Teacher Dave Shaw says Bill's specialists at London call him "one tough cookie" and "a real fighter",.: Having cancer has changed Bill, says his teacher. He has grown up a great deal over the past year — he hasn't had much choice and his new attitude is evident in his school work and with his friends For nowt BBI is taking it one day at a time SomeSoine.clayartie44slitteet quite so well, but generally, he is able to attend school except for the one day each week he travels to London. His mother Brenda is grateful to the Sunshine Foundation for giving Bill the opportunity to go to Flori- da. She knows how much it meant to him. As for Bill, his only_• -physical reminders of the trip. area yellow hat and T-shirt. But the memories of that wonderful day and the friends he made are likely to remain with him much longer. DREAMLIFT PARTICIPANT—Bill Bailie, a Grade 8 student at Wingham Public School, recently spent one day at Disney, World in ar ch, thanks to (11e Sunshine Foundation. Bill, a leukemia suffer- er, and over 80 ogler 'children went on the " Dreamli ft".