Huron Expositor, 2009-02-04, Page 7The Huron Expositor • February 4, 2009 Page 7
News
Seaforth LAC discusses need to answer questions
in community about nighttime emergency closure
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How to respond to community con-
cerns about the recent decision to
close Reaforth's ER overnight start-
ing on Feb. 7 was discussed at last
Tuesday's meeting of the Seaforth
LAC (Local Advisory Committee).
Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance
CEO Andrew Williams said LAC
members have the responsibility to
understand the situation so they can
answer questions in the community.
"Issues like this generate a lot of
concern," he said, offering to answer
any questions LAC members might
have.
"This has been a really difficult de-
cision and it's really vital to allay un-
necessary fears. It's a sense of secu-
rity for the public, knowing the ER is
there and we need to reassure people
that they will continue to have 24-
hour care," said Seaforth Communi-
ty Hospital site administrator Mary
Cardinal.
LAC member Rudy Jansen said
he's heard a rumour about an LAC
member hanging up on a commu-
nity member asking about the ER's
nighttime closure.
"As members, we're supposed to
give an explanation and if that re-
ally did happen, it's not too good," he
said.
Frances Teatero, co-chair of the
Municipality of
Huron East
NOTICE
In accordance with the Clean Water
Act, 2006, Ontario Regulation 287/07
Section 14 (1) (b) Huron East Council
passed the following resolution at the
regular council meeting on January
20th, 2009.
It was duly moved and seconded:
That Council of the Municipality of
Huron East intends to decommission
the three existing wells (one at Chalk
Street, two at Welsh Street, Seaforth
Ward) within the next five years; and
intends to cancel any permit to take
water under the Ontario Water Re-
source Act for thele three wells. Mo-
tion Carried.
For additional information please con-
tact the Municipal Office.
J. R. McLachlan, Clerk -Administrator
Municipality of Huron East
72 Main Street South, PO Box 610,
Seaforth, ON NOK 1 WO
519-527-0160
hospital auxiliary,
three phone calls
members about
situation, two of
came from members of
Huron East council.
"One man said people
are not getting answers
and I told him to give me
names and phone num-
bers and I'd give him an
answer," she said.
Teatero said another
caller commented that
after seeing Seaforth's
ER nurses interviewed
on television that both
of them looked tired.
"That interview rein-
forced they're tired and
said she'd fielded
from community
the ER
which
need a break but it won't
be forever," she said, adding that
overtired staff create concerns about
patient safety.
"They're overtired through no fault
of their own. They're human," she
said.
Teatero said she'd also heard con-
cerns in the community that nurses
were applying for jobs at the Sea -
forth hospital but not being hired.
"It's amazing how rumours just
take off,' she said.
Cardinal responded
(AMMO-' that there's a public
'This has been a
really difficult
decision and it's
really vital to
allay
unnecessary
fears,'--
SCH administrator
Mary Cardinal
misconception that
all nurses can work
in any department of
the hospital. But, she
added that nurses are
trained with specific
areas of expertise.
"To work at emerg,
you need a certain
skill set and not ev-
eryone understands
that," she said.
LAC member Ibny
Vanden Hengel asked
if the hospital had
such a bad experience
with agency nurses
over the summer that they wouldn't
be used again to solve the staff short-
age crisis.
Williams responded that the agen-
cy nursing didn't work.
"It goes back to training qualifica-
tions. Theywere very nice individu-
als but not a fit for this environment,"
he said.
Alliance board member Dick Bur
Announcement
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She looks forward to building a successful
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gess pointed out earlier in the meet-
ing that agency nursing had caused
some of the recent budget overruns.
Williams added that the needs of
all four Alliance hospitals are not
meshing with the qualifications of
recent nursing grads.
"Either they have to change or we
do and they've got 1,000s of jobs to
choose from," he said.
Cardinal said the decision had to
be made about what services the
hospital could offer with five full-
time nurses on staff.
"As recruitment is successful, then
we'll adjust," she said.
"People really should be calling 911
in the middle of the night," she added,
stating that paramedics are trained
to start medical care immediately so
that patients can be treated in tran-
sit from home to the hospital.
When asked if RPNs (registered
practical nurses) could do the job at
Seaforth's ER, Williams responded
that while RPNs work at ERs in
larger hospitals with a larger staff
on duty, Seaforth's ER is too small.
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