Huron Expositor, 2009-04-01, Page 7News
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The Huron Expositor • Apriii l, 2009 Dap 7
Blggest increase ever inclients includes n ew
families -ndesperate .ssays ua ons an
bank services offered there. A person who visits the food bank
Spittal has a message for anyone will receive one week's worth of gro-
who might feel too humiliated about ceries, which include vouchers for
visiting the food bank. four litres of milk, bread, marga-
"Please come in. There's nothing rine, a dozen eggs, hamburger, half
to be ashamed of with being poor. a• dozen soup cans, pasta and sauce,
Everybody understands the eco- canned beans, potatoes and apples.
nomic times," she says. "There are Depending on the size of the fam-
people out there who don't know how ily, they'll receive the appropriate
they're going to meet their mortgage. amount of groceries.
There are widows living off of tea Donations to the food bank can
and toast." also be made through the TD Bank
Spittal says the food bank attracts in Seaforth, by contributing to the
visitors from. Egmondville, Vanastra, food bank account.
Belgrave, Staffa, Dublin,, Walton and Each donor will receive a tax -de -
Brussels. ductible receipt.
From Page 3
In February 2008, = the food bank
served 161 people. In February of
this year, the number skyrocketed
to 260. It's especially alarming since
the food bank was only open 16 hours
over eight days in the entire month.
"This has been the biggest increase
ever," Spittal says. "It's been getting
pretty scary, We have new families
coming in that are in desperate situ-
ations."
Spittal says some unemployed men
and women, single -parent families
and widows live in rural areas out-
side Seaforth with no car and no ac-
cess to the food bank.
"People are literally starving," she
says.
These types of emergency situa-
tions have had volunteers at the food
bank deliver food to hungry fami-
lies.
Others are not accessing the food
bank because they feel too embar-
rassed to ask for assistance.
"It's very humiliating," Spittal
says. "They might see a neighbour or
friend there."
She says people have been com-
ing into the Seaforth food bank from
Clinton, even though there are food
Doctor tries new booking system
Susan Hundertnnark
Patients will see their doctor with-
in 24 hours when they call for an ap-
pointment under a new system at Dr.
Jason Datema's practice this week.
While patients usually pre -book ap-
pointments weeks or even months in
advance, Datema says the new "open
access booking" system is being pro-
moted as a way to see patients at the
time of need.
"This way we see people when
they're sick and not two to three
weeks later," he says, adding it's
hoped the new system will reduce
the need to use the hospital's emer-
gency department.
"I'm the only physician doing it. I'm
sort of the guinea pig. The others are
waiting to see how it goes with me,"
he says.
Under the new system, patients
can begin phoning the medical clinic
at 8 a.m. for that day's appointments
until all the appointment spaces are
full.
However, patients will no longer be
able to book an appointment weeks
in advance.
While he's hoping the new system
will provide quicker access to a doc-
tor for his patients, Datema says he's
not sure if it will allow him to Gadd
more patients to his roster and `help
with the orphan patient situation.
But, he's hoping the new system
will work for his staff as well as his
patients.
"It's stressful when someone is call-
ing you when they're sick and you
can't offer an appointment," he says.
Datema says the open access book-
ing system has been offered at clin-
ics in the Hamiltonarea for tbe.past
year.
41*
HURON PERTH
HEALTHCARE
ALLIANCE
CLINTON
PUBLIC
HOSPITAL
ST. MARYS
MEMORIAL
ROSPIT.
SEAFORTH
COMMUNITY
HOSPITAL , rr
STRATFORD
GENERAL 4r
HOSPITAL
WE PAY A TRIBUTE TO HOSPITAL
VOLUNTEER
"No man can become rich without himself enriching others"
National Volunteer Week is celebrated
Apr1119t- 25t 2009
HPHA from -April 26th to 30th 2009
Hospital Volunteers, Hospital Board Members,
Local Advisory Committee Members,
Auxiliary Members, and Foundation Board Members
,its=v ggt-N*A.N it 4,}yir•i'rJn1:,•
rPi
This is the time of year we acknowledge the enormous
contribution by the dedicated volunteers who give their time
and efforts to assist in the delivery of programs and
services that significantly enrich the culture of our hospitals
and the communities we serve.
k9'7; 4 ,T1' . Y' yr' by �.3 ,r -6 r
We wish to recognize and express gratitude to all the
volunteers who make a difference to our patients, staff, and
our local healthcare system ...
if you would like to join our great team of volunteers, please refer to
the information on our website, www,hnha.ca, or contact your local
hospital.
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