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The Lucknow Sentinel, 1996-12-04, Page 1VOL. 123 WK. 49 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1996 Action committee proposes fourth option to review on hospital restructuring by Pat Livingston The citizens' action committee to save Wingham and District Hospital has come up with a new option for restruc- turing. "We don't like any one options (as presented by Perth District Health Council) so• we have come up with an option four," said 'corAmittee spokesperson Verna Steffler, on Monday. "We'll be presenting it at all of the information ses- sions starting tonight." Steffler said option four would have Stratford designated as a secondary hospital, and Wingham, Goderich and Listowel hospitals as. 'primary plus' hospitals. "There's a difference between being a primary hospital and a primary -plus hos- pital," said Steffler. "Primary -plus is the same as primary except you do have acute beds - ICU, CCU Surgery with general anaesthesia, obstetrics. It's very much the type of hospital we presently have." of the three the Huron - One primary hospital (not doing surgery) hut doing ordinary routine obstetrics would be Seaforth, as desig- nated under the current DHC's report. Clinton, Exeter and St. Mary's would be the same as presently configured in the DHC report - to be investigated with respect to needs, commu- nity interest and cost to determine the non -inpa- tient service level required. Action Committee Meetings "Save Our Hospital" meetings, sponsored by the auction committee started Monday night. One is scheduled for Lucknow on Wednesday, Dec. 11., 7 to 9 p.m. at the Lucknow public school. Steffler said these meetings will be a panel style: - §omeone talking about the services Wingham hospital already pro- vides; a speaker talking about the report and options in it; the third speaker talk- ing about impacts on,.the Wingham hos- pital if any of those 'options are accept - Option # 4 proposing three `primary -plus' hospital's, including Wingham, is preferred option •turn to page 3 Huron County Council Resolution to save hospitals: `gutless' by Blake Patterson A resolution to save. hospitals was given a rough ride Thursda,y at Huron County Council. The resolution by the Huron County Board of Health to save acute care facility centres located strategically throughout Huron County was called "gutless," Nov. 28 at the regular monthly. meeting of Huron County Council. The resolution in'a let- ter to the provincial gov- ernmentwas intended -as an appeal to ensure the announced 18 per cent reduction in provincial health care funding does not result in the closure of any hospital in Huron County. Several members of the council, however, thought the wording of the resolu- tion, particularly the word 'strategically' was too weak and left room for sonic of the hospitals to be closed. 'Coup. Brian McBumcy of Turnberry Twp. called the resolution "gutless," and said, "L would have liked to see more support for all' the hospitals instead of this which says noth- ing." Coun. Bill Mickle of Exeter agreed with McBurney and asked, What 'strategically' was really, supposed to mean? Board of Health chair- man Ron Murray of McKillop Twp., was immediately'put on the defenSiivc by the com- ments from the floor, and tersely responded by say- ing 'strategically' was intended to give the restructuring comminssion (Hospital and Related Health Services Study Task Force) the room they need to make the tough decision they' are being asked to make. Murray said the coun- ty's Board of Health does not want to incumber the commission, but strongly emphasized the fact the board's priority is to "pro- vide the best possible health services for Huron County. Period." Coun. Carol Mitchell of Clinton said the word 'strategically' should be removed and the resolu- tion should be reworded to reflect a clear message that Huron . County Council wants all five Huron County hospitals to remain open. •turn to page 3 65' INCLUDES G.S.T. "4. Becky Scott was one of the area children who came to help decorate the community Christmas tree last Friday evening. The homemade decora- tions get better each year. It's a great way to kick off the Christmas sea- son - community members gathering together to decorate the tree, and sing carols together. (Helm photo) Kinloss Township Resident dissatisfied with naming of roads by Pat Livingston , A Kinloss township businesswoman has expressed her dissatisfac- tion with the naming (for 911 purposes) of township roads. Wilda McArthur, of Fisherman's Cove, wrote to council in, November regarding three roads. McArthur questioned the name `South Line Avenue' being given to Range 2 SDR. "What does that mean to anyone?" questioned McArthur. Her suggestions was that it could have been named 'Lake Ave.' or Otter Lake Ave. "At least it would have given exposure to Silver Lake Church Camp and ourselves, to perhaps help bring business to each of us. A small thing to help out the taxpayers." She also wonders why Guest Avenue was used for Range 3 SDR. "What does that mean?" McArthur suggested something pertaining to tourism could have been used. Naming McArthur's homeroad (10th) 'Statters Lake Avenue' was another point ,made in her letter. "Why in the world would council tell the public there is a lake' up the road when they can't go on (it). We own the whole lake and now we will have people trespassing to get to the lake," wrote McArthur. In her letter to council, McArthur says they would consider paying to replace the already constructed signs. Clerk Mark Becker confirmed that ,the posts are' in the ground and the signs are ordered. East - west roads are named 'avenues' and north -south roads are named 'streets'. On Monday, McArthur told the Sentinel that she had not received any reply to her letter yet. "We have worked well with our council over the years and I'm quite sure they will respond in a positive way in regard to perhaps this oversite. Tourism is an industry which generate's many dollars in the com- munities." McArthur stated in her letter that she hoped no councillors' names were on any of their road's. "It might be considered a conflict of interest." On perusing the list of road na"mes for 911 pur- poses, Wolfe Street is the new name given to Sideroad 30. McArthur suggested to council that consideration should be, given to 'adhoc, committees in the future. In a telephone inter- ' view on Monday, Deputy Reeve Leo Murray said the roads were named about year ago, using some, of the old names, in the township plus some of the landmarks. "We never thought of anyone being upset and we weren't try- ing to do advertising for anyone."