HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1989-04-12, Page 19THE HURON EXPOSI API. '989
,Qy
' nizritions inset to .discuss health =planning
BY DAVID EMSLIE
CLINTON - Representatives from a
number of organizations around the coun-
ty met at the town hall here on April 5 to
discuss a proposal for a health planning
body.
Dr, Maarten Bokhout, Huron County
Medical Officer of Health, chaired the
meeting. He explained that the idea for
such a body has been proposed a number
of various times around the county. These
proposals had been rejected by Huron
County Council, and by the county's
member municipalities.
This latest meeting followed a February
16 gathering where four major themes
arose. The purpose of this meeting was to
resolve those issues.
The first theme read, "There is a neeu
for a comprehensive health planning body
in Huron County. Such a body does not ex-
ist at present. The Community Service:-
Council,
ervicerCouncil, which has been active for some
time and is now known as The Community.
Services Network does not at the presenr
time deal with strategic health planning '
This statement met with no dissenting
votes,
The next point for discussion, however.
raised many differences of opinion. It
read: "A planning body of this nature can
serve as a forum for disseminating infor-
mation about proposed new programmes
among various service providers in the
field of health. The question of priorization
of proposed new programmes was touched
on, but it was not resolved. There is a dif-
ference of opinion about whether it is
necessary for such a planning body to have
"teeth" the power to priorize. As noted
there is a consensus about the need to get
together on a regular basis to discuss the
need for new health programmes.'
The first question raised was whether or
not the group was discussing Huron Coun-
ty, or Huron -Perth. It was pointed out that
to found some groups, a certain populatior
is needed, and the county could not provide •
this population
Dr. Bokhout noted that the type of group:
this person was talking about. a district
health council, was not what they were
considering. As well, he stated the plann-
ing body would be solely for Huron County
He later warned. however, that there is s
distinct possibilty that a district health
council could be forced onto the county if t:
.different planning body is not set up.
"There is a chance. definitely a possibil•
ty. It's the usual thing, we do it ourselves.
or somebody else will do it for us." Dr
Bokhout said.
He explained that at least if the grout,
can get a start, they will have something to
show for their work "If we at the
grassroots, at the county level. can put
down a system, we can say look, we see us
•moving in this direction.
"The thing 1 see, no matter what hap-
pens, is nothing can prevent us from sit-
ting down and tacking together."
Later, he added, "If nothing happens, a!
least we had the chance to talk about It coi •
lectively; intelhgently...with no outside
per"
Getting onto the subject of priorizatior:.
Valerie Bolton from the Huron Community
Service Network noted there is a general
fear of such a big body allocating funds or
goods. "(Municipalities i are afraid it is
going to get in the way of their autonomy
We should respect that fear," she said
•
Dr. Bokhout also had a warning about
priorization. "If we make priorization as
existence of this group, it's not going to fly
right away." He suggested the group could
give themselves a year before the question
of priorization will arise
Following the meeting, he further
stated. "At the present time, there are no
plans for priorization."
Finishing up this portion of the meeting,
Dr. Bokhout gave a brief summary of what
he felt should be the goals of the health
body. Later. he said their goals should be,
"To work co-operatively to identify areas
of health need, and to seek 'ways to meet
those needs The most important thing is
co-operatively. that's one of the key
things
Body Composition
Next, the group took up the discussion of
the composition of the health body. Right
off. it was suggested it should be a free
standing body. with no direct links to ex-
isting organizations
As well, 1)r. Bokhout added, it will be an
informal planning body, with no paid staff.
executive director. or office
While this point was agreed upon, those
at the meeting had next to decide exactly
who would make up the planning body.
From the first meeting, the proposal for
the composition of the group had the
Medical Officer of Health, two hospital ad-
ministrators, two medical chiefs of staff, a
director of one-stop access, a director of
social services. a social service worker,
two representatives from self-help groups,
and two members of the clergy, bringing
the total to 12.
Discussions on who should be added to
this group were on the floor for a good
length of time. Early on in the discussion,
it was noted that reps from nursing homes,
or like institutions. along with county coun-
cil members and a person from the hous-
ing department should be added.
It was also pointed out, however, that
there were many professionaLs in the
group, but no consumers. The group was
also warned to, "Keep in mind that if a
group gets too large, it is too unwieldy, and
you'll get no decisions made."
The proposal to have county council reps
on the planning body made one person ner-
vous, but it was stated that it would be
beneficial in a number of ways to have
them in the group. For one, Bev Brown of
the Town and Country Homemakers noted
that it would give the group a chance to
educate the councillors on health planning
in the county.
Valerie Bolton added that it would also
be good to have members on the body who
know the mandate of Huron County
Council.
Finally, Doctor Bokhout stated that
while some might have had bad ex-
periences with county council, the point
had to be made that the people of the coun-
ty voted them in for their representation.
"When you take time to inform politicians
of an issue, then they respond; they work
for us."
He also noted that when dealing with
health planning, money is involved, and
some of this money will come from the
county.
After some further discussion, it was
decided that the maximum number of peo-
ple on the planning body would be 20. The
revised list would see the group composed
of the following representatives: one
recreational; two politicians; two from the
health unit; two from hospitals; two physi-
cians; two social service; two community
based provider organizations; two con-
sumers; ,one clergy; two provincial agen-
cies; one nursing home: one housing.
Dr. Bokhout will be meeting with a sub-
committee from the meeting to specifical-
ly identify which various organizations
should be contacted for representatives,
and to arrange to have these represen-
tatives available at the next planning
meeting. This meeting will be held in
September.
Specials In Effect Thursday, Friday, Satturday — While Supplies Last
7ssty-Nu Store
Only
DELICIOUS RASPBERRY OR
PECAN
TARTS
CHEESES
Fresh Off The Bloch
TASTY CARROT PINEAPPLE
Try Our Delicious
FRENCH BREAD,
BISMARKS & CROISSANTS
DELICIOUS DONUTS &
FRESH HOT COFFEE
- from page 1:1
Con. 4, Hibbert Township.
On Friday evening they were pleasantly
surprised by over 30 of their neighbors who
landed in for a house warming parts .
Gilbert Vansteelandt spoke on behalf of the
line and Jack and Marg were presented with
a painting of a floral arrangement.
Progressive euchre was enjoyed by all
The O'Reilly's son Gary has taken over
the home farm.
A miscellaneous bridal shower was held
on Sunday afternoon in the St. Columban
hall for Debbie Weiderman.
Neighbors and relatives of both families
attended.
Debbie and her fiancee Gary O'Reilly will
be married on May 20 at St. Patrick's
Church, Dublin.
G I N ETTES
RESTAiJ�RA
SEAFORTH'S FAMILY RESTAURANT!
WHOLE CHICKEN BREAST
Denner Includes Coffee or Teo and Dessert
SUNDAY, APRIL 16 5:00-7:00 P.M.
*Doily Luncheon Speciois *Lice
MON.-SAT. 6:00 A.M.-7:00 P.M.
5
Under LLBO •Seniors 15% off
SUN. 7:00 A.M.-7:00 P.M.
5274964.
SKIP TO MY LOO - Jamie Dick, a student
at Huron Centennial School in Brucefield,
was one of those participating last week in
Jumr Rope tor Heart fundraiser.
Mcllwrarth photc
Seaforth Harmony Kings 7th Annual
arbersho Show
"MAROONED"
SHOWTIMES:
Saturday, April 22, 1989
at 1:59 p.m. Matinee and 7:59 p.m.
Seaforth and District Comm. Centres
FOR TICKETS CALL: Seatorth insurance
Brokers or 482-7763; 527-1076; 524-9223:'
348-9501; 236-4705.
Member of Ontario District Association of
Chapters
The Seaforth Harmony Kings financially suppor'
the Harmonize For Speech Fund.
D
D
E
To help you obtain Maximum Economic Yield
let W.G. Thompson & Sons Limited lend a hand. Qualitied
personnel can make recommendations on marketing,
soil tests, pesticides, herbicides, fertilizer blends and
application methods.
Experienced operators provie custom application of
28% and 321:(0 nitrogen solution. k nitrogen and herbicide
mixtures, it urea. I ammonium nitrate, micro-
nutrients, and custom blending to suit your fertility
program. A complete selection of quality Hyland
Brand Seeds are available. g Our accredited Germination
Lab of 4 years, is recognized for germination testing of
wheat, barley, oats, com, soybeans, beans and peas.
LI Thompson's provide complete crop production
programs and g efficient service for all your spring needs.
El Come in and talk with us today.
-Returning ,by -Popular Demand
April °13, '14, ft `15
SHOWTIME 9 PM. - 1 AN.
..f ioinlnal,cover,cbarge at
arthe,,door
•S4gerofr.Majority Card
rt;Required.
iVi‘jecV
£8879.35
Ailsa -Craig ,Mitc,hell sPort,Alpert Hen:sall Granton Seaford-)
293-3223 .34138433 629.7901 ,262426127 225-2360 3452545