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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZurich Citizens News, 1975-05-29, Page 17PAGE 18 ZURICH CITIZENS NEWS C t discuss (by Shirley J. Keller) Stephen Skate, Area Planning Co-ordinator for South Western Ontario and a representative of the Ontario Ministry of Health, was on the hot seat at Huron County Council Friday morning as members of council fired some rather pertinent questions his way regarding the proposed form- ation of a district health council between Huron and Perth. At the present time, Huron and Perth are working toward a steering committee which will make the recommendation of proposed membership on a dist- rict Health Council. Mr. Skorcz said there are al- ready three district health councils in Ontario - Ottawa, Carlton, Thunder Bay and Niag- ara District. He said two more are nearing formation being the amalgamation of the City of London and the Counties of • Middlesex, Oxford, and Elgin and the Windsor -Essex District Health Council. District Health councils, accor ding to Mr. Skorcz, would be an advisory body to the Ministry of Health on all health care mat- ters related to a region with a minimum population of 100, 000 persons. These councils would have 15 -members including six consumers, six providers of med- ical care and three local govern- ment appointees. Bayfield Reeve Ed Oddleifson THURSDAY, MAY 29, 1975 ealth council asked abouthe "sanctity of num- bers" recently the obsession of the provincial government in Ontario, He was referring to the need for a population base of at least 100, 000 citizens within a district, Reeve Oddleifson said the board of health has been operat- ing well in Huron County and could be expanded to do the work outlined for the district health councils. He said Huron repres- entatives had had two meetings with officials from Perth regard- ing the proposed district health council and admitted there are "many things yet to be ironed out„" "My basic contention+ here is that population should not be the governing factor, " stated Mr. Oddleifson, chairman of Huron's Board of Health, "Why has it become so damned sacred? Mr. Skorcz answered that the base of 100, 000 persons is need- ed in order to reflect the broad- est possible perspective as well as to serve the health care requir- ments of the greatest number of people within a district. Reeve Oddleifson retaliated by reminding Mr. Skorcz of the valuable volunteer hours which are now spent on behalf of health care in the smaller dist- ricts (counties). "Why dip into the public purse when volunteers can do the work at the local level?" said Reeve Oddleifson. ,ltt. PO NEW HOU:S Please note that starting June 2, 1975 the Goderich C.M.C. and the Huron Park C.M.C. will open at 8:15 a.m. and will close at 4:30 p.m. These new hours have been decided upon to conform to hours that seem best suited to our customers' needs.. A Student Canada Manpower Centre LOCATED AT 87 KINGSTON ST., GODERICH (The former Kentucky Fried Chicken) AT THE 5 POINTS For information call: 52 .:274 For Huron Park cull: 22 ., -6651 "But nobody is taking a total look, " answere Mr. Skorcz. "But we could do it, insisted Reeve Oddleifson. "Give us the tools in Huron County and we'll show you a District Health Council that really works. And I'd like' you to take that bac] to the Ministry." Mr, Skorcz promised Mr. Oddleifson his concerns would reach the Ministry. "I'rn not opposed to the con- cepts of District Health Councils, said Mr. Oddleifson. "And I'm not being parochial. But I see no reason for this sanctity in numbers we've been hearing so much about." Goderich Township Reeve Gerry Ginn wanted to know what are the advantages of a District Health Council for Huron. Mr, Skorcz. told him it provided the vehicle by which to take a total look at an area, to insure that the health dollar is being spent to the best advantage for the greatest number of people; to bring•about co-ordination and evaluation of district health care services; to look at all health care programs in the dist- rict at the same time and in the same manner; and to assess priorities, Reeve Bill Elston, Morris Township, charged that accord- ing to his information, Oxford County was forced into a District Health Council with London, Middlesex and Elgin. Mr. Skorcz said the Ontario Ministry of Health would not force any county into a District Health Council situation. Deputy -reeve Bill Clifford of the Town of Goderich asked the government representative what counties could expect if they did not become part of a District Health Council. "What are the penalties?" asked Mr. Clifford. "What are the implications here?" "The Ministry can't force - it won't force counties into District Health Councils, " said Mr, Skorcz emphatically. He went on to explain, how- ever, that the citizens within such a county could be losing out since input concerning health care in that part of Ontario would be missing in Toronto. He said the value of such a county to the total health care picture in the province would just "not be there." Reeve Ginn urged Mr. Skorcz A Receptionist is required by the Huron County Board of Education at its Administrative Centre in Clinton Duties to start as soon as possible and include typing, machine transcription, operation of PBX Swit- chboard, and other general office duties. Salary and benefits with current Union agreement. Apply in writing by June 12, 1975 to D.J. Cochrane, Director of Education, The Huron County Board of Education, 103 Albert St, Clinton NOM1 LO. W.J. Shortreed, Chairman D.J. Cochrane Director and the Ministryof Health for Ontario to think about a more gradual conversion to District Health Councils. He argued that if the area is too large, too much responsibility is on the 15 -memb- er committee which would just be beginning to learn about the wide and intricate facets of health care. "We should co-ordinate health services locally first, " said Reeve Ginn. "I think they would operate sooner and better at the county level. By the time 15 new members of a District Health Council learn what's going on is Huron and Perth health -wise, it will take too long." Reeve Ginn suggested that representation from the Child- ren's Aid Society, Social Service; Huronview, the six hospitals, the nursing homes and the Board of Health could take a look at health services in Huron first. "I don't say you're incorrect but I don't think it's the direct- ion the Ministry is looking at the present time, " asnwered Mr. Skorcz. He said counties must "broaden their scope." Appointment Canada Manpower in Goderich is pleased to an- nounce the appointment of Mary Ann Gielen as Graduate Assistant for the Summer Student Offices for 1975 in Goderich and Exeter. Mary Ann will be pleased to, assist students and employers. Contact her at Goderich 524- 8342 or Exeter (Huron Park) 228-6651. MaryAnn Gielen Summer Student Officer Ontario's Largest Spring Fair CLINT s E 1 CLASS "B" 121st Year 3 Days FRI.-SAT. SUN. JUNE 6.m7-8 AT i Jan Howard, Myers Bros. and Jubilaires SUNDAY, JUNE 8 1:00 p.m..—Horse Show M. L. "Tory" Gregg, M.C. JOYES MIDWAY IN FULL OPERATION ALL THREE DAYS LUNCH COUNTER 4e - EN I()IN U, HOMECOMING WEEN JUL 75 -AUG 4 1975 FRIDAY, JUNE 6 12 Noon --Ontario Jersey Show 7:00 p.m.—Arena Concessions open to public 8:00 p.m.—Queen of the Fair Contest 8:45 p.m:—Senior Citizen Queen 9:00 p.m.—Official Opening 9:15 p.m.—Entertainment Local Talent SATURDAY, JUNE 7 1:00 p.m.—Parade Through Town Huron County Holstein Club Show Livestock Judging 2:00 p.m.—Baby Show in Arena 7:00 p.m.—Teams in Harness 9:00 p.m.—Evening Grandstand Show - featuring 0 NI4W . 1 x,41, (q14, HURON CENTRAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY Elgin Thompson, President RR 3, Kippen, Ontario Robert M. Gibbings, Sec.-Treas. RR 1, Clinton, Ontario r. 'a 1'