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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2007-09-05, Page 22 Times–Advocate Wednesday, September 5, 2007 Grade 8 females to receive vaccine By Stew Slater SPECIAL TO THE TIMES -ADVOCATE DUBLIN — As early as Sept. 14, female Grade 8 stu- dents in Huron and Perth counties will begin receiving the first of three doses of a vaccine aimed at reducing the incidence of cervical cancer. In a decision which has inspired some controversy, the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care announced over the summer it would fund the admin- istration of the Gardasil brand vaccine, on a voluntary basis at a cost of about $400 per person, to about 84,000 young women in the province. The vaccine pro- tects against four types of a sexually -transmitted dis- ease known as Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), which are among the possible causes for cervical cancer. "Grade 8 was selected as the cohort for the school- based vaccination program because Gardasil is most effective when administered prior to sexual debut and because it will be offered at a different time than Hepatitis B and Conjugate Meningococcal vaccines, currently offered in Grade 7. This will minimize the number of needles given to a female in a single year as well as any possible risks associated with co -adminis- tration," states an Aug. 2 memorandum from the Ministry to all Medical Officers of Health in Ontario. The memorandum was provided as information as a regular meeting of the Huron -Perth Catholic District School Board Aug. 27. Although trustees received the information without questions, the issue did stir up some controversy when the announcement was first made. Some experts sug- gested at the time that the administration of the vac- cine could create a false sense of security among young women about their risk for contracting cervical cancer or HPV. That's because there are other types of HPV not affected by Gardasil, and there are other potential causes for cervical cancer. Education director Larry Langan offered his support, however, telling trustees the health units in Huron and Perth are fully behind the program. Langan added the program is voluntary, but the heath units are hoping for a participation rate of about 85 per cent. Brown to chair water committee Continued from front page most municipalities in the area still use a municipal well sys- tem. Brown, who was the adminis- trator for Stephen Township from 1990 to 2000 until that municipality merged with Exeter and Usborne, says he's always been interested in municipal services. He holds degrees in engineering and pub- lic administration. In leaving his role as CAO, Brown says he was looking for a job that was less time demand- ing and his new job will be part time. As he looks back on his seven years with South Huron, Brown says the biggest accomplish- ment was the amalgamation of Exeter, Stephen and Usborne. He credits the staff and councils that helped him make it hap- pen. "We really came out of it with, I think, a better municipality, a stronger municipality, with more financial resources, and we're providing better ser- vices." He says amalgamation was good for the involved com- munities, adding taxes are still reasonable and would be higher without amalgamation. In the last seven years, Brown says South Huron has focused on services such as water and sewage. He said his new role will be a challenge because the source protection regulations will have to be affordable and politically viable. And while Brown is looking forward to his new job, he says he'll miss the people he has worked with. He said good staff and councils have made South Huron "a great organization." The municipality is seeking Brown's replacement and has posted the job internally. REGIONAL WRAP UP • REGIONAL WRAP Truscott acquitted CLINTON — Almost 48 years after Steven Truscott's conviction for the rape and murder of 12 -year-old classmate Lynne Harper, Truscott has been acquitted. The Ontario Court of Appeal handed Truscott his acquittal Aug.27, reported the Clinton News -Record. "Based on evidence that qualifies as fresh evidence in these proceedings, we are satisfied that Mr. Truscott's conviction was a miscarriage of justice and must be quashed," says the court. Truscott was the last person to be seen with Harper in June of 1959. Although convicted of the crime, with an execution date set, which was later appealed, Truscott has always maintained his innocence. He did spend about 10 years in jail. Although Truscott was acquitted, the Court of Appeal panel's decision fell short of declaring him innocent. Compensation for Truscott is being reviewed. Dirt bike rider crashes NORTH MIDDLESEX — A 15 -year-old dirt bike rider continues to fight for his life, reports The Parkhill Gazette. On Aug. 27 around 4 p.m., a crash occurred when a dirt bike rider left the roadway. Two 15 -year-old boys were heading westbound on West Corner Drive in North Middlesex, one boy on an ATV and the other on a Yamaha dirt bike. The two boys had been riding together along the road when the boy on the Yamaha lost control on the gravel, entering the ditch. The boy's helmet flew off upon collision. The 15 -year-old Arkona area boy was transported to Strathroy General Hospital by Middlesex London EMS. He was then transferred to LHSC Children's Hospital of Western Ontario with life threatening injuries. The investigation is continuing. No names will be released. The second boy was uninvolved and uninjured. The OPP Collision Investigators attended the scene. Regiers make $50,000 donation to South Huron Hospital 40 at k 1,100,000 1,000,000 900,000 000,1100 700,000 000 0 A�ar�r 282 07 Sots givwf �I ForvIcii,rZiK $ 50,000" goitlaiwt '~ acs & OQ DOLLARS FRANK & DOREEN REGIER & FAMILY Regier donation —A $50,000 donation from the Regier family has moved up the South Huron Hospital fundraiser thermometer to $1,065,000, with a goal of $1.6 million. From left are hospital CEO Deb Hunt, campaign team member Pat O'Rourke, Frank and Doreen Regier, campaign team member Lori Baker and Foundation chairperson Odette Pelletier. Regier family proud to donate to SHH We have lived in Exeter for the past 21 years and previously farmed in the Dashwood area. We feel it is important to have an up-to-date hospital facility in our community; not just for emergencies, but also to reduce the inconvenience and traveling time to larger cities for rou- tine services. A large part of our community is made up of "Baby Boomers," who will soon be entering their senior years. Accessibility to health care will be a major issue for these families. When people relocate, one of their main concerns is access to quality services. If we wish to keep South Huron "a great place to live," it is imperative we offer our best. It is with great honour and pride that we make this donation, and wish South Huron Hospital great success with their future endeavours. — Frank and Doreen Regier and family _The Little Hospital That Does_ Contact the Foundation: South Huron Hospital Foundation 24 Huron St.W. Exeter, Ont., NOM 1S2 235-2700, ext. 5133 shha. foundation@shha.on. ca Digital imaging staff — Pictured in back is chief radiologist Dr. William Dawson and, from left, x-ray technicians Bonnie Neeb, Joanne Bowen, Pat Hackett and Spring Cushman. Missing are Maureen Regier, Caroline Koricina and Kelly Gilmore The digital imaging revolution Digital imaging is sweeping the field of medical imaging in Canada, and the benefits are enormous for both patients and health care providers. Just as most people have switched their analog camera for a digital ver- sion, radiology departments have embraced the new technology for med- ical images including x-ray, ultrasound, CT and MRI. A Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) is required to view, store and transmit these digital images. In this region, a combination of federal, provincial and local funding will produce an imaging and information network which is second to none, uniting multiple hospitals electronically, includ- ing multiple small community hospitals and the teaching hospitals associ- ated with the University of Western Ontario in London. At South Huron Hospital in Exeter, Radiology service has been provided by the doctors of London X-ray Associates for over 20 years. We are a group of 13 radiologists who provide imaging services to St. Joseph's Health Care in London as well as Tillsonburg Memorial District Hospital and the Middlesex Health Alliance out of Strathroy. Digital imaging allows us now to report medical imaging studies from South Huron Hospital locally as well as remotely in London. Despite holidays and snow storms, we now provide Radiology service to this community 365 days per year. Local physicians can use the network to obtain consultations on images, either with the radiologist or with a clinical specialist. For patients, there is great comfort in knowing their images are securely stored and will be available to their own doctor and any specialists they are referred to, throughout the region, on PACS. The cost savings in both time and money have exceeded our expectations! Many thanks go out to the members of the community who will help make this wonderful system a reality through their commitment of time, and charitable donations. — William Dawson, M.D.