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Huron Expositor, 2009-06-10, Page 20Coti 41 j 3. J iP t.p '4. �} _, Ski . tA'w Rural s may Su.Bn Hu_ndertmarlE 4111111111.1111111111. • Emergency hdepartments at small rur ospitals could be under threat of closure during recent discussions by the South West LHIN about its Health System Design Blueprint, Warden Ken Oke told Huron County council at, its June 3 meeting. Oke said he , and some of the Huron County administrators ; attended a recent working symposium in Owen Sound where policy is being set for the next few years for hospitals with the South West LHIN. Attending a session on hospital emergency services, Oke said he was alarmed to hear the discussion open: with the opinion that there was no reason to have all of the ERs open in all the hospitals in the region. "They said that Seaforth has closed its emergency department overnight and it hasn't cost the LHIN any mon- ey," he said, adding that he spoke up to say the overnight closure of Sea- forth's ER has cost Huron County money. "It's costing the county money to have the ambulances there fbr back- up and they never realized that," said Oke. Oke added that Huron County ad- ministrators "lambasted" those sug- gesting that it wasn't feasible to keep all the rural ERs open. "(Huron County CAO) Larry Ad- ams told them that when they tried to close hospitals in other LHINs they had a fight on their hands but you're looking at war if you try to tell rural people they're not entitled to 24-hour medical care," said Oke. The warden said after Adam's statement, discussion turned to the ISS Bert and Carol Reinink & Famity- R Iso 43079 Hallett McKillop Rd., R.R. #4 Walton GREENHOUSE 519-527-0761. and Landscaping Growing Every.Year Still Tots of selection Don't Auld Sat 6,el� June 21 t.< SPECIAL -' F THE WEE ,, Tomato plants • and wave petunias Buy 1 sit FRE .4 4114 tAh e .14;;:.. s :....::+a+:: -.....y :,..sa... wswel•vvits act threat of closure idea of keeping all emergency. de- partments open 24 hours if staff is available, a vision statement that was disputed by Huron County trea- surer Dave Carey as being negative. "He said when's the last time you saw a vision statement with a nega- tive in it and a doctor rubbed out the line that said if personnel is avail- able," he said. Oke said the discussion would have gone "in the wrong direction" if Hu- ron County staff hadn't attended. He urged councillors to attend the up- coming symposium in London to pro- tect rural hospitals and their ERs. "Be very careful that issue doesn't get pushed again if you're going to London," he said. Adams added that the LHIN's blueprint document will have "in- tricate effects on the public health unit, social services and emergency services." Linda Resume Design Consultant Bob Smyth Design Consultant Wut Coast kitchens... And Much More • Kitchens • CustomVanities • Entertainment Units • Home Offices PROFESSIONAL INSTALLATIONS CUSTOM DESIGNS & COUNTERTOPS Visit Our Showroom! 50 West St. Goderich 519-440-0352 •.1-866-4400352 Goderich & District Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year Award 2006 Emelt: westcoastkit@cabletv on.ca "We were very happy we did attend when we realized the issue being dis- cussed," he said, adding that since London is more urban than Owen Sound, it would be in Huron Coun- ty's interests if someone attended to present the rural perspective. Adams said he asked if a decision had already been made . about the direction of healthcare in the future and the LHIN was just going through the motions. "I was assured that's not the case," he said. Coun. Joe Seili ,(Huron East) said he is concerned that as Seaforth hospital's ER continues to be closed overnight, statistics on how many people are diverted to another hospi- tal who would have normally chosen Seaforth are not being collected. See MAYOR, Page 21 NOUSE FOR SALE FOUR BEDROOM farm house on 1.3 acres with paved drive on McKillop Road. New Sunroom and New Septic Tank System. Priced at $195,000. Immediate procession. Cali 519-348-9057 or 519- 348-9796 COLDWSVL •ANKSR 0 All Points Festival City Realty Brokerage Seaforth & Area listings www.coldwellbankerfc.com (519) 527-21031 Main St, Seaforth *Sales Representatives 1 ® © MW.. .IMM MRS SANDRA DALE Cell: 519-526-9788 sandradale.com BRENDA CAMPBELL Cell: 519-525-9154 brenda-campbell.com STACY REEVES Cell: 519-525-1177 sreeves@tcc.on.ca MARY VANDENHENGEL TONY VANDENHENGEL Cell: 519-525-6191 - Cell: 519-233-3168 hengel®tcc.on.ca hengel@tcc.on.ca MOVE RIGHT IN! L GREAT LOCATION 42163 Huron Rd. RR#2 Seaforth $359,900 MIs# 080828 BLYTH L GREAT STARTER_IL RELAX HERE! • RR#2 Seaforth $99,900 Exclusive