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The Brussels Post, 1977-06-22, Page 8useful to the communities. Dr. Cameron agreed the idea had merit, but said he favoured one large centre because it would be cheaper to run and easier to staff. A location near a university would be more conducive to research and education, he said. Another question was raised about helping a patient's family to adjust. It was feared that the patient could lose much of his or her independence, after leaving the centre, because of a misunderstanding family or an inaccessible community. Dr. Cameron noted family members are encouraged to visit Rehab. centres and to participate in the therapeutic program, but few cooperate.. He hoped that, in time, the Home-care system might change to allow its workers to assess a home environment before a patient is released. Mr. Archibald, Huronview Administrator, inquired whether a geriatric program would be that residents of homes for the aged should have access to the centre, rehabilitation. included. Dr. Cameron confirmed reiterated that the In conclusion, the committee if they requ i red proposed Southwestern Ontario Regional Rehabilitation Centre would provide intensive therapeutic programs for its patients, tremendous research opportuul ties and continuing education for graduate therapists. 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Thl Progl and (AO Ontal Mk. by Lesq Regie (Dre ,(01A) betas sign by a ran treat resp Ing whiel try Elaine Townshend) proposed South-western )• to Regional Rehabilitation c. • .11 r r ( SWORRC) that would e ten counties and accom- e up to 300 patients was the toi):,: of a meeting last Friday in the Clinton Hospital. Board Room. Presentations were given by John Roberts, Executive Director of the Thames Valley District Health Council, Dr. Peter Cameron, Chairman of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabili- tation at the University of Western Ontario and the Acting Coordinator of the SWORRC project, and Dr. Malcolm Peat, Director of the Physical Therapy Program at U.W.O. The local representatives included hospital administrators, medical personnel and members of the Huron County Health Unit, the Horne-Care program and Alpha Huron. Mr. Roberts outlined the history of the SWORRC project. Research has been carried out since 1963, and in 1973, a lengthy document was presented to the Ministry of Health. The Ministry suggested that such a program would fall under the jurisdiction of the District Health Councils. A Steering Committee was formed of members of Health Councils and representatives of areas that did not have Councils. The committee is now travelling around the region to bring information to the various communities. Each person would be referred to the proposed centre for a specified length of time to take part in an intensive therapeutic program. Both children and adults would be accepted. The complex would contain hostel-type beds rather than hospital beds. Medical diagnostic equipment, a Social Service Department, a Psychology Service, a prosthetic shop, a gymnasium and sports' facilities would also be needed. The surrounding area would be conducive to outdoor activities and exercise. Dr. Cameron identified the seven types of patients that would be treated - spinal chord injuries (paraplegics and quadripld,gics). head injuries, neurological (brain tumours and strokes), arthritic, orthopedic (back and neck pain), amputees and chest and cardiac. He described a few ways in which the centre would help each group. Persons with spinal chord injuries would make up a large part of the program. To regain degrees of independence, they require lengthy and intensive rehabilitation. After the rehab program, many of them must up-grade their education before seeking employment. Most paraplegics are fairly mobile, being able to drive cars, and they can usually live at home or in low cost areas while completing their education. Quadriplegics, however, require personal care. They could remain at the centre for as long as four years, while attending university. They would receive the personal care they needed, but would not be forced to live in a hospital atmosphere. For example, they would take their own medication. Stroke patients would be given daily therapy for short lengths of tittle. Patients of Multiple Sclerosis would also benefit from this type of rehabilitation, when they encounter changes in their Conditions. Many arthritic patients undergo surgery at six to eight week intervals. At the centre ; they would receive therapy to help strengthen their intitscleS between operations, Injured wOrkmen and housewives complain of back and neck pains. They are often sent from one medical hierarchy to another. Re-evaluations of their problems would be given at the centre, For amputees, the complex would contain a prosthe- tic shop and engineer. Consulta- tions among the patient, therapist and engineer would be carried out to ensure a proper fit. Chest and cardiac patients, such as persons suffering from heart attacks or emphysema, would be assisted in adjusting to their conditions. Dr. Peat listed the staff that would be required at the centre- eighteen Physiotherapists, eighteen Occupational Thera- pists, approximately the same number of Registered Nurses and Registered Nurses' Assistants, a Clinical Psychologist and a Prosthetic Engineer. He stressed that the centre would ease the caseloads of the hospital and Home-care thera- pists and would play a vital role in the on-going • education of grauclate therapists. At the same time, it would provide tremendous research opportuni- ties. He added that research' is necessary for better service. After the committee's present- ation, a question period was held. One of the concerns voiced by the local representatives was the large area the centre would try to serve. It was suggested that a network ,of five or six smaller centres with one larger centre acting as a hub might be more 8—THE BRUSSELS POST ',JUNE 22, 1977 Regional Rehab Centre propose REHABILITATION CENTRE PROPOSED — A Southwestern Ontario Reginal Rehabilitation Centre was proposed at a meeting at Clinton Hospital recently. If built, the centre would serve ten counties and accommodate up to 300 patients. Shown_at the meeting are, from L, Seaforth Mayor Betty Cardno, representing Huron County Home Care; Sheila Lancaster, V.O.N. Perth-Huron branch; Elmer Taylor, Exeter Hospital administrator; and John Roberts, Executive Director of the Thames Valley District Health Council. ,(Photo by Townshend)