Clinton News-Record, 1984-04-04, Page 1z
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-ce-rifs —No. 14
Wednesday April 4, 1984
Clinton medical centre
By Shelley McPhee
CLINTON - A medical centre could best
facilitate the present and future needs of the
community and the area's medical
professionals.
That was the main stress of a March 28
meeting between town council, Clinton
doctors and representatives from the
hospital board of directors.
Council was presented with a preliminary
proposal to build a medical centre_atthe_site
of the former nurses' residence an Shipley
Street. The group of medical
representatives recommend that the
present structure be demolished and a new
one-story building be constructed.
Dr. Art Steed, spokesman for the group
explained to council that the former nurses'
residence is now used by three doctors and,
two other health agencies. He noted that the
building was not originally designed to
accommodate doctors' offices and the
building is expensive to maintain because of
a "tremendous waste of heated space."
The hospital board has estimated that it
would cost approximately $150,000 to
renovate the 30 -year old building. This work
would include repairs to deteriorating east
side of the building.
Board members believe that the
renovations would make the building barely
adequate. Dan Steyn,....new hospital
administrator said that renovations would
^
be like "throwing .good money after bad
9
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•
money. We'd be better Off to start from the
ground up."
The' medical representatives propose that
the nurses' residence be demolished and a
smaller one-story centre be built. Based on
preliminary estimates, a new centre could
cost $300,000. Using approximate esimates
of $40-$50 a square foot, this would construct
a 6,000 square foot building, with eight
offices.
The proposed centre could provide office
space for dodors, dentists, visiting
consultants and other medical
professionals. The building would be
designed so it could also provide labratory
and X-ray facilities, a storage room for
charts, an administration area And a
pharmacy.
The one-story structure would also offer
easier accessibility. Presently some
patients find it difficult to negotiate the
stairs at the two-story nurses' residence
office location.
"The medical centre would benefit the
citizens of the area now and in the future,"
Dr. Steed said. He also noted, "to recruit the
best professionals, we need high quality
facilities."
Modern facilitles
Traditionally doctors have practiced in
--•their -homes. Today, according to .Dr. peter
• Salsbury, young doctors are not interested
• in setting up, offices in their homes bcuse,
,•
The 30 -year old former nurses' residence on Shipley could be demolished if a proposal to
build a new medical centre is approved. (Shelley McPhee photo)
119t year
"it'S toa implying:on:their private lifestyle. aide noted that the provincial goveramen
•-When setting-up,apracbcei.many.dmturg .tPtalce more
look-to.ve4igateentre.s.._ They. offer.mOdert _action. and.respensiblity .inho_sp_11 services
facilities, joint equipment ptirehaseS andand-CliittAftould do this by operating -the'
often closeproximity to hospitals. " medical eentre.
Dr. Steed said that communities who
appear to subsidize doctors by offering Financing
medical centre ofices, will be n104 Further study will determine if grants are
attractive to debt ridden medical graduates. available to help offset construction costs of
He reminded council that within five to 10the proposed centre. Clerk Cam Proctor
years, two or three Clinton doctors will be suggested that grants may provide two-
. retiring mndarienamedical-professionals-will---tbirdsa-funding.a..He . _also noted that • the
be needed. • a • remaining cost could be. • an extra tax ..
burden
t
• Town involvement
The medical group is asking the town to
become directly involved in the construction,
project.
The proposal was first taken to the
hospital board, but the directors felt thy
were not in the position to build the centre.
The board is not permitted to act in a
management position and their level of
government is not permitted to loan money.
Board member Bill Counter explairml,
"The auditors fife already concerned .that
the board is not running the nurses'
residence properly and the ministry sayawe
shouldn't be running at all. Because oft •
the board takes a dim view of e
medical centre theinaelves."
An alternative wiitd be to build the centre
Clerk Proctor said he was not opposed to
the medical centre proposal, but reminded
council of the "facts of life." He said that
town has other priorities, including the
completion of the town hall renovation. It
has been estimated that debentures on this
project may amount to $350,000 to $400,000.
As well the sanitary sewage system is now
under study and major repairs may be
required. He suggested that in six months to
a year's time the town's financial situation
would be clearer and at that time a more
accurate assessment regarding the medical
centre financing could be made.
Dan Steyn, Clinton's new hospital
administrator noted, "If the actual capital
collais done properly, it would be
beneficial to the town. If you (the town)
Dr.Sed ed co -eine -fp finance two4iiirds tithe cost, we -
noted, "This would reflect the needs of could find the remaining one-third."
-participants and not future needs."
This alternative is not supported by the
board of directors since it would mean
selling bequeathed property to a private
enterprise. The nurses' residence was built
over 30 years ago with a $47,000 bequest left
• by the late Colonel Rance.
• One private company has shown interest
in the construction plan, but the board has
stressed that the land should not be sold to a
private interest. •
• The alternative presented to council is for
the town to take charge of the construction the proposal and additional office space .
of a medical centre and act ailatitifordSifldad& be related to other groups and health
"I don't see an increase in the debt load to
citizens," Dr. Steed added. He said that
while expenditures 'Would occur during the
construction phase, he believes that once the
building was completed, it wouldn't be long
until rentals would help offest any deficit.
-The medical representatives believe that
a new centre would be operating at full
capacity immediately following its
completion. Dr. Steed said that five .local
doctors, have already ex ressed interest in
Its 0 ratiow maagapeles. Presellir space at thenurse4'
'CO vit ortedilicentie*Warb t residence is rent' le thcoun epilepsy
some councdlors questioned, whether tbY branch and the ,Mental Health Centre It's
are allowed to act as landlords and operfte o hoped that the centre could attract
business. , .. - •" 'a • ; . a &tit:pal dentists to the area.
Councillor Bee Cooke suggested, "Onceit . Jr. Steed also noted, "We need input from
becomes a profitable organisation the town '", the 'doctors and all facets to anticipate
should turn it over to someone else. ' e community needs and bestuses."
However others noted that any profits would , Connell Members agreed to study the
be put back into the operating costs and proposal with the hospital board. They
future needs of the centre. • . agreed that there is a need for additional
Councillor Jim Hunter said that the town medical serviceain Clinton and theft study
already operates profitable services. He will deterinine how the proposed centre can
reminded council, "It's the town's duty to best be facilitated.
set up services. We operate the garbage Leen Reliorst, chairman of the hospital
collection, the PUC and the waterworks. board reminded council, "We must look 10
They are profitable services. Even and to 15 yearaahead, If we sit back we'll get the
parking meters make money, but profits are short end of the stick. Future forecasts say
put back into town projects." that we should build."
Centre could relieve hospital load
Only eight years ago the Clinton Public "ocal hospitai. '1 ne remainder of their time
•iospital was threatened with closure. is spent in Goderich and Wingham hospitals.
l
Today it is busier than ever WO some lir. Watts does most of his surgery at the
medical professionals feel that the overload Clinton hospital, carrying out as many as
could be relieved by a medical centre. five minor and major operations in a
In proposing a new medical professional morning.
. building, to be situated across from the • Specialists also come to the hospital on a
hospital, Dr. Art Steed and a group of monthly basis, however many of their cases
supporters believe that ,the centre could are referred to larger medical centre for
compliment hospital services. more specialized work.
In a presentation to town council on March
28, Dr. Steed noted, "We're (Clinton Public
Hospital) not a secondary ortertiary care
centre."
-In fact the Clinton Public Hospital is one of
the most active medical institutions in the
county.
• The local hospital is a - county leader in
surgery and more operations, both minor
and major, are done here than any other
hospital in the county.
Dr. J.M. Watts, consulting surgeon, said
that Clinton has traditionally been a
surgically oriented hospital. This began
years ago when -Dr. W. Oakes and Dr. P.
Walden, both area residents, brought their
surgery expertise to the hospital.
In the the past three years, the Clinton
Hospital has enjoyed a Baby boom. Dr.
Steed noted that m 56 deliveries were made
in 1981. By 1982 that figure had increased to
101 and last year 103 babies were born at the
Clinton Hospital. In 1984, to date, 35.
deliveries have been made and by year's
end it's estimated that this will tota1120.
Up-to-date equipment and specialized
medical care are cited as the main reasons
for this increase. No longer are mothers -to -
be heading for London hospitals for
delivery, many are finding care and
services of equal quality in their local
hospital.
The proposed medical. centre •could also
help to relieve the congestion at the
Today Clinton doctors carry on this hospital's new emergency wing. Although
tradition. Many are qualified anaesthetists designed primarily for emergency medical
and according to Dr. Watts, "they do a full work, the wing is extensively used for out -
garnet of general surgery. patient clinics.
Dr Watts and Dr. Ken Lambert are Dr. Steed said that two days a week are
consulting surgeons at the Clinton hospital. particularly busy in the emergency wing.
Two days a week they see patients at the He explained, "It's pandemonium in there,"
noting that while treatment rooms are used
for Out-patient care, this can create
problems when emergency services are
needed.
„ • • • ' • , •
He told council, "The medical centre
would relieve this burden and consultants
would be provided with offices."
• The hospital's laboratory facilities are
also working on overload and additional
space at a new medical centre could help.
The hospital laboratory is having problems
• with space limitations and the.department is
over utilized. Dr. Steed explained that the
- hospital lab can barely accommodate all of
the out-patient lab work.
• Additional laboratory facilities in the
medical centre could relieve the burden.
Here, out-patients would go directly from
their doctor's office to the laboratory for any
necessary testing. In the meantime, the
main hospital laboratory could concentrate
on in-patient work.
Dan Steyn, new administrator at the
hospital, said that future development plans
at Clinton Public Hospital will take these
inereased uses and problem areas into
• account. •
He also supports the medical centre
proposal. He explained, "Many smaller
communities provide medical facilities for
their professionals. It's to the common
interest for the people of the town. A
medical centre can offer a multiplying
effect, bringing in more professionals, more
business and helping the tax dollar."
Clinton says goodbye to meters
CLINTON - Parking meters in downtown bylaw officer Murray Taylor to insure that
Clinton are gone for good. •the downtown parking area is closely
Town council at their April 2 meeting policed,
approved a motion to permanently remove Councillor Charlie Burgess reported that
decision will end a longtime controversy. he recently surveyed downtown merchants
the parking meters and sell them. This final
and found that the majority were satisfied
Clinton parking meters have long been an with the present parking arrangement. Most
issue for argument and opposition. Local were happy to see the removal of the
shoppers opposed the meters, stating that parking meters, although he noted, "Some
they could shop in other towns were parking merchants were upset about the harshness
was free. There were problems with localof the enforcement of the parking officer."
merchants and employees using the council has supported the Mr. Taylor in
metered parking area for their own use and his strict supervision of downtown parking
many felt that the meters were not being and Councillor John Deeves noted, "We
policed properly. appointed a bylaw enforcement officer to
The debate led to a major council decision enforce parking.'' •
in 1983 - the parkin meters would be Councillor Jim Hunter, who originally
permanently removed.
"It's my pleasure to have the meters done
away with," he noted.
The motion stated that the metered area
be replaced by a two-hour parking zone and
that the meters be sold.
An amendment to the motion was
presented by Councillor Ross Carter,
seconded by Councillor Bee Cooke. They
suggested that the meters should not be
immediately sold, but be kept for a one year
• period. Councillor Carter said this was a
precautionary measure, "just because of
the history of this town."
The amendment was defeated' and the
original motion passed by a majority of
council
removed for a trial period. With the decision to permanently remove
presented the 1983 motion to have the
Since then two-hour parking limits have meters taken out on a trial basis, made the the meters, the existing meter posts along
has hired the downtown sidewalks will be removed as
remained in force and the town
most recent motion too have them well.
Last week the Clinton Beta Sigma Phi sold over 15,000 daffodils with the proceeds going
toward cancer research. Pictured is member Mary Marsh selling some of the lovely
flowers to Myrna, Doug and Scott McTavish of London. (Rod Hilts photo )
No French immersion
in uron this year
through private fund g,
BY STEPHANIE LEVESQUE
There will be no French Immersion
classes in Huron County this September,
the Huron County Board of Educa-
tion has agreed to set up an ad hoc commit-
tee to further study French Immersion.Four options were considered by the
board at its April 2 'meeting which saw the
boardroom filled with over 50 spectators on
both the for and against sides of French Im-
mersion.
•The four options ranged from completely
• rejecting...the. recinest for a French ImmerL
- emit program- to setting up a pilot .program
this Septerritcas requestedby thp.ComMit,-
-teeforteSirang Opportunities,
The boaritdetided to go for one of the op-
tions "- an id: hoc committee - beeauae- is -
vice -chairman Art,Clarke said, the hoard's
responsibility goes beyond saying yes to a.
• pilot project. The Wingham trustee said the
board has to be committed to French Im-
mersion.
• Goderich trustee Dorothy Wallace agreed
with Mr. Clarke's suggestion that a lot of
planning has to take place before French
Immersion is set up across the county.
"That is the reason for setting up a pilot
peoject,"SaictlYfra. Wallace.
She spoke in faviit of &French Immersion
pilot project in Goderich and clarified the
fourth option, a recommendation put for -
ward by the board's personnel cornnuttee.
The recommendation called for setting up
a pilot project at Robertson Memorial
Public School in Goderich with a number of
conditions which included the
understanding that any additional costs
from the program be met by changing staff
• or reducing programs at that school. '
"I had no intention of endangering pro-
grams at the achool. What I had in mind was
to attempt to establish French Immersion at
no detriment to the school," said Mrs.
• Wallace.
The Goderich trustee said she has receiv-
ed nunfet�lis phone calls from people pig-
gestialkalie wail; tealiii$et,ip Freiiclquither-
sion even if it meant other program had to:
*ter. - •
t6i•Wrily been blastetenOightia-the a' '
past week. It was never my intention to do
any harm to the existing program" she said.
Mrs: Wallace' noted that to iinplement a
French Immersion program in
Kindergarten and Grade 1, only one full-
thne additional teacher would be needed
because a half-time Kindergarten teacher
would be available from present staffing
figures. •
This,.. she said, would be a benefit to the
English speakThg classes because with the
addition of a teacher there would no longer
Turn to page 2
o.mx..z..w. %Zseellaammomme.....
Doug Coventry, retired from the Clinton Pith c Hospital in style.
On Saturday night the 10 -year administrator as honored at a
dinner, dance and a roast. Clinton hospital nurses involved Doug in
-
a hilarious skit about the hospital s retirement club. Nurses Cheryl
Hohner and Bette Dalzell gave Doug their best bedside treatment.
(Shelley McPhee photo)
In