Huron Expositor, 2006-05-17, Page 3The Huron Expositor • May 17, 2006 Page 3
News
New provider council intended to keep open
lines of communication for health care groups
Susan H u n d e r t m a r k
A new group will keep the lines of communica-
tion open between health care providers in.
Huron and Perth Counties under the province's
new Local Health Integration Networks
(LHINs).
The Huron -Perth Providers' Council, which
had its inaugural meeting on April 28, will
include representatives from both counties' hos-
pitals, long-term care facilities and the
Community Care Access Centre.
"We've been talking about this for a little
while. It ties in with the LHINs," says Andrew
Williams, CEO of the Huron -Perth Healthcare
Alliance.
Williams says the providers'. council will take
the place of the Community Advisory Committee
which used to operate under the CCACs but is no
longer required under the new LHIN legislation.
He says any agency that falls under LHIN
funding across the healthcare spectrum will be
eligible to join the providers' council.
"It's about helping communication and it will
be one of the ways the LHINs will communicate
with the providers," he says.
Williams says a large number of local health-
care providers have signed up with the group.
"This is not a formal part of the LHIN struc-
ture and we're not a decision-making body. It
doesn't take away any power or accountability
from anyone but it will help us to keep communi-
cating," he says.
"Huron -Perth has a good track record of work-
ing together. This is the next step of that," says
Williams.
Kathy Scanlon, executive director of the
Huron -Perth CCAC says the providers' council
will continue the work of the Community
Advisory Committee by working on improving
the integration of local services.
"We'll be a local connection for the LHIN which
takes up a very large geographical area. The
LHIN will be looking to this group as a link to
local issues. They're recognizing the group and
want to work with it," she says.
She says 30 organizations will be part. of the
providers' council.
Members of the providers' council's coordinat-
ing committee include Scanlon, Williams, Glen
Bartlett, chair of South Huron Hospital, Susan
Rae, administrator of
Knollcrest Lodge,
Cathie Schalk, admin-
istrator of the Seaforth`
Huron E.astconcerned FHT
has `diverged from original'
From Page 1
letter.
The original proposal requesting a
FHT for Seaforth states the goal of
developing the FHT in Seaforth
with subsequent development of
FHTs in Clinton, Goderich,
Wingham and Exeter. The Seaforth
site would use space in the existing
health centre and expand into office
space available at the hospital.
"We would work to support each
community to develop a FHT as a
satellite, sharing administrative
services, support staff and IT
resources," says the proposal.
In his letter, Laviolette says the
collaborative relationship with
Clinton should be made through the
"satellite mechanism as was initial-
ly proposed."
"Should the Clinton option wish
not to be associated with the Huron
County FHT in Seaforth, it is wel-
come to make separate submission
to the ministry (of health) as it so
chooses," says the letter.
As well, the letter points out that
Clinton and other Huron County
centres had the option of making
their own submission for a FHT but
the option was "rebuffed" at the
time.
"We assume that the Clinton med-
ical group is prepared to present
their own option on its own merits
without recourse to the planning
and preparation ,hat the Seaforth
community has invested thusfar in
the project as it was envisioned and
approved thusfar," says the letter.
He also points out that adult resi-
dential communities in the Seaforth
area are planned to be connected to
the FHT in Seaforth.
As well, he addresses local doc-
tors' concerns about rostering and
remuneration, adding the problem
can be solved by adding orphans to
the FHT instead of individual doc-
tors.
The letter says Seaforth doctors
are concerned about the require-
ment that orphans must be added .
to individual doctor rosters (patient
lists), since that requirement could
overload new recruits.
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Manor, Paul Simpson, of Meals on Wheels and
Stratford Neighbourly Services and Sallie
Morrison, executive . director of Midwestern Day
Services.
The group plans to meet four times a year to
discuss issues of mutual concern and advocate
for health resources and services.
Quantity of liquor
stolen from
Egmondville garage
A quantity of liquor was stolen from an
unlocked garage in Egmondville on May 8,
reports the Huron OPP.
Along with the liquor, thieves rummaged
through an unlocked vehicle on Fairway Drive.
Anyone with related information is asked to
call the Huron OPP or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-
222-8477.
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May 15-26
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