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The Citizen, 1996-12-11, Page 7THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1996 PAGE 7. Support heartens Listowel hosp. reps Coming to Blyth Dr. Greg Antoniadis is establishing a family practice in Blyth in the new year. The Hamilton-born physician moved to Wingham in the summer and is looking forward to serving the Blyth community on a part-time basis. Wingham physician opens Blyth office added he would like to see Wingham and District Hospital maintained for emergencies and as a satellite for Goderich so extra facilities would not have to be constructed at Alexandra Marine and General. Bill Thibert, chief executive officer of Seaforth Community Hospital and task force member, told the gathering this was just the start of the process and even though Seaforth appears in all three options at present, as a primary care centre, "there is no assurance the final option will include Seaforth." "It is important we speak on behalf of what you think is important," he said. "We need collaboration for the common By Bonnie Gropp Citizen staff And now there are two! After wondering if there was going to be any physician's offices in Blyth, with the closing of Dr. Hay's office this month, Dr. Greg Antoniadis of Wingham announced last week he will be establishing a part-time practice in the former office of Dr. MacGregor on Dins- ley St. This announcement came just two weeks after Dr. Dan Rooy- akkers of Seaforth said he was moving in to Dr. Hay's office. Blyth Clerk, on approval from council, had notified Wingham hospital asking if they would be interested in having a physician in Blyth. Dr. Antoniadis said he had been approached by the Wingham hospital board about offering his services to the residents of Blyth and was happy to do so. "It will be good for the community. There was a need so I was happy to go." The Hamilton native did his undergraduate work at Western University before studying medicine at Ottawa. He did his res- idency in Hamilton and Kingston, specializing in family practice, emergency and anesthetics. Continued from page 1 munity." When questioned on whether emergency services would remain at all hospitals, Woldnik said "there has to be access in rural areas." "I believe strongly that there will be emergency care at Wingham, Seaforth, Goderich, Stratford and Listowel," he said, "but there has to be a change in where the ambulances go. If someone has broken bones, there is no point going to Wingham, even if it is the closest, if there is no orthopedic surgeon on-call. However, it would be best to go to the hospital where the family doctor is." On a personal note, Woldnik By Marion Duke Listowel Banner Snowy roads, and the fact many of them were attending their second hospital information meeting that week, didn't stop 168 people from attending the Listowel Memorial Hospital information meeting at Howick Central School on Dec. 5. Wingham hospital held a public meeting at the school on Dec. 2. Over 150 attended that meeting. Listowel hospital representa- tives, admitting they were getting a bit tired after similar meetings in Listowel, Atwood and Monkton, said they were greatly heartened by the show of support by residents throughout the area. "Every meeting is different," said James VanCamp, admini- strator of Listowel Memorial Hospital. At the Howick meeting, it was emphasized all municipalities must stick together, or they will lose hospital facilities that have been built up over the past 75 years. A number of speakers criticized the process which has pitted one community against the other, and specific to Howick, has pitted the Wingham hospital against Listowel hospital. It was reported that hospital officials are working together to come up with another option to present to the Huron Perth District Health Council to consider along with its own three options. Those three options state there will be secondary hospitals located in Stratford and Goderich, and primary hospitals in Listowel and Seaforth, or in Seaforth and Wingham, or in Listowel and Seaforth, with a downgraded primary hospital in Wingham. Wingham hospital's action group has already announced a fourth option. (See page 6). During the meeting, the City of Stratford was criticized for its "smug attitude." While a meeting in Listowel drew over 1,600 and meetings in Atwood and Monkton, 150, and 148 respec- tively, Don Meadows of Listowel who has been keeping count, reported a hospital information meeting in the City of Stratford attracted 20 people. "That's disgusting," Meadows said of Stratford. "And (Strat- ford) had five people on the restructuring committee." A ilment from Norman Wilson of Fordwich drew prolonged applause. "This is the first time since the end of World War 2, that we're looking at a lower standard of living, and I think that's sad," he said. It was noted by Wayne Coghlin of RR 1, Molcsworth the Grey- Bruce District Health Council has received an extension for its study. He asked if an extension might be possible for the Huron Perth DHC. Roberta Ament of Listowel, a member of the DHC's Task Force, said the deadline had been given to the Task Force, and it appears to be set. Besides VanCamp other hospital representatives addressing the audience were Kerry Blagrave, chairman of LMH Board of Trustees who chaired the meeting; Dr. Barry Neable, LMH Chief of Staff; and Ament, LMH director of nursing, as well as a member of the Huron Perth District Health Council's Task Force. The meetings explain that: • The 13 doctors in Listowel are not employed By Listowel Memorial Hospital; they are'self- employed. However, all 13 have privileges at LMH, and the hospital is the main reason the Listowel area is well serviced by doctors. If the hospital were to close, or lose its 24-hour emergency, and surgery capabilities, then it is likely many doctors would leave to seek employment elsewhere. • If the hospital were to close, or be downgraded to the DHC's concept of a primary hospital, then rural residents would be receiving "second class health care within a two-tier health care system." • The DHC's criterion of 30- minutes to non-emergency service at a secondary hospital in either Stratford or Goderich is unacceptable because it is impossible to achieve. Even in good weather it takes longer than half an hour to travel from Listowel to Stratford General Hospital. • Due to the haste with which the Task Force was forced to make its recommendations (19 persons. given a total of 56 hours), there arc serious questions about the accuracy of information received. • The DHC's attempt to obtain public input by making 300 telephone calls to a population total of 130,000 is inadequate. Of the 300 contacted, approximately 150 were knowledgeable enough about the situation to provide input. • Stratford General Hospital can't handle the number of patients it gets now, so how will it handle additional patients from other hospitals? • If rural hospitals are closed, or cut-back, it is likely there will be a reduction in the present high level of volunteer assistance, and in the amount of money left to hospitals in estates. • There are presently 25 chronic patients who stay at Listowel Memorial Hospital. What is to become of them if the hospital is closed? QUESTIONS The meeting which lasted from 8 to nearly 10 p.m. included a number of questions and observations from members of the audience. A number of people reported family members who had received serious injuries, requiring emergency treatment at Listowel Memorial Hospital. • Jean Dinsmore, a life-long resident of Howick said her husband had been hurt badly in an accident two years ago. "In his words, he was smashed all to hell," Mrs. Dinsmore said. He was taken to Listowel, then transferred to a big hospital for 10 days. "When they brought him back to Listowel, the nursing care he got Continued on page 24 After establishing a practice in northern Ontario, then taking some time to travel, Dr. Antoniadis came to Wingham this past summer, after looking at a number of other clin- ics. "I was impressed by the area." While many new doctors prefer urban centres, Dr. Antoniadis likes rural medicine. "I grew up in the country and I find practising medicine in rural surroundings more rewarding. You get to know your patients. When they are sick, you are likely the one who will be looking after them." While Dr. Antoniadis said his practice is keeping him busy, he couldn't ignore the request to go to Blyth. "If I can be there the com- munity is served better." Dr. Antoniadis points out that having two physicians is not com- petitive. "I am hoping that I can be there on the days that Dr. Rooy- akkers is not, so that residents will have the benefit of a physician in town possibly every day of the week, at least for a few hours." Noting that many Blyth residents already consider Wingham their hospital, he said, "Going there fits in with rural medicine. Having a physician there helps the hospital keep busy. We don't want them to think that Wingham doesn't care." Thibert urges public to speak out good so we can create a better system. Primary health care needs must be at the core." "By repatriating some of the services instead of sending people to London, we can provide the right service, at the right time, at the right place, by the right provider, at an affordable cost to the taxpayers," he said. "It can be cost effective with quality." Thibert encouraged all in attendance to consider which services are the most valuable to them and ensure that the District Health Council members hear those at the open houses scheduled over the next few days and in January once a single recommendation is announced. 0 Ontario 1996 PROPERTY ASSESSMENT The 1996 assessment rolls, which list the assessed value of each property in a municipality, will be delivered to municipal clerks on December 17, 1996. Property taxes for 1997 will be based on these values. The final date for property owners or tenants to appeal the 1996 property assessment is January 7, 1997. If you have any questions about your assessment, please contact the assessment office responsible for your municipality. The address and telephone number are in the Government of Ontario section of the Blue Pages of your telephone directory. Please look under the Ministry of Finance - Property Assessment. The assessment office will also be able to provide you with information on appealing your assessment. Assessment appeals are heard by an independent tribunal called the Assessment Review Board. There is a fee for filing an appeal. The Board is also responsible for setting the dates for hearing appeals. If you appealed your 1995 assessment for the 1996 taxation year and the Board has not yet set a hearing date, you do not have to file a new appeal.