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The Huron Expositor, 1988-11-23, Page 3New health BY NEI L cORBE'FT The new Health Centre has been in opera- tion for several months, and the health care people who work in the building have been given time to evaluate the new building in comparison to their old location. Also, there is room in the building for two more physi- cians, as well as other services, and hospital oifirials are at work finding ways of recruiting new doctors and attractigg new health care services to Seaforth. Dr. Rodney is one of the four doctors who currently operate out of the Health Centre. He can list a number of advantages the new building has over the old clinic on Goderich Street. For one, it has been designed for smooth traffic flow, and the floor plan was put together specifically to provide less walking from station to station. The close proximity to the hospital is another advantage and is convenient for patients. The new building also has wheelchair access which wasn't in the former building, there is an intercom system, and patients like the bright atmosphere. "It's more inviting. It's nicer to come into for doctors and patients alike," says Dr. Rodney, adding the building seems to be running more efficiently, because he has been able to see more patients lately. If there are disadvantages they are that there is less office space in the clinic, and the cost is three times what it formerly was. Dr. Rodney says doctors are now paying three times what they used to pay in terms of rent, net lease payments, maintenance and utilities. However, this is a price the physicians are willing to pay. Thev wanted to move from THE HURON EXPOSITOR, NOVEMBER 23, 1988 — 3A centre Lightens burden on health care personnel their former location and to get a more modern profile, and Dr. Rodney says "if the hospital wasn't prepared to build, we would have." The new Health Centre has given health care a higher profile in Seaforth, and Dr. Rodney says this is evident in the donations the centre has received in the way of; por- table suction equipment from the Legion, a picture from Candlelight Studio, and a wheelchair which is coming from a con- tributor in London. Two additional physicians are being sought to fill the currently vacant offices in the new building. Larry Parker is the chair- man of the physician recruitment commit- tee which was set up in recent weeks. This hospital board committee identified the need for additional doctors in town after meeting with the doctors who are already here. Mr. Parker says there are three basic reasons physicians are needed. 1. There is a medical centre with two vacant offices and the hospital wants to fill up one at least, 2. There is a fair amount of leakage out of town for medical care, and, 3. The present doc- tors agree there is a need for additional physicians. Mr. Parker says there are a number of communities who are in the same position as Seaforth, so he is not going to tell his game plan -how he hoped to convince so- meone to locate here- but he did say "we are going to take an aggressive approach to recruiting a new doctor in Seaforth." A new service which may be expanding to Seaforth via the Health Centre is the Goderich Community Psychiatric Service. Ken Lingelstad, the Chief Executive Officer at the Goderich Hospital admits this is in no Way final, and is subject to approval from the Ministry of Health. But he was re- quested by the Seaforth hospital board to consider expansion into Seaforth. "As soon as the ministry sees fit to ap- prove service and funding we're ready to go, says the CEO. A submission was sent to the Ministry of Health in July of 1987. There are currently branches of this same service in Clinton, Goderich and Wingham. The idea for Seaforth is to provide both in- dividual and group therapy, for people referred by physicians, friends, or themselves. Mr. Lingelstad says the service isn't made to cope with `hard-core psychiatric patients" but people who are having trouble coping, disadvantaged peo- ple, etc. "But there's no guarantee this is ever go- ing to get funded," he admits. Seaforth's public health unit has already taken an office in the Health Centre. There is space in the downstairs for another ser- vice, and currently the board has been look- ing at a day-care facility. The Health Centre was built from the fruits of what hospital officials call prudent management. It is owned by the Seaforth Community Hospital and leased to physi- cians and its other tenants. MPP Jack Riddell, at the ribbon cutting ceremony held for the new building and the sod turning for the hospital addition on Oc- tober 29, commented: "When I see the way these projects have progressed, I know health care is on the right track in Seaforth." A LITTLE PATIENT at Seaforth's new Health Centre has his heartbeat listened to by Dr. Wong. Doctors report they have heart positive feedback from the public about the new clinic. The patient here is Kevin Hood and he is seen here with his mother Debbie Hood. Corbett photo. 1 THE FILING SYSTEM at the health centre is updated over the one at the former clinic, and allows for economy of space. Corbett photo. THE RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY to officially open the health Hicknell to represent the townships which will be using the facility, centre was held October 29. Seen here taking part are Dr. Huron MPP and Minister of Agriculture l K Riddell, Chairman of Malkus, representing physicians, Huron County Warden Robert Building committee Jird Etue. Huron-Bri :e MP Murray Cardiff, Bell, then Mayor Alf Ross, Mckillop Township Reeve Marie and Chairman of the Hospital Board Fred Tilley. Corbett photo. iwrr,Y..ri�wrm�- 4.. re THE WAITING ROOM and reception area at the health centre is roomy and modem looking. "It's more inviting. It's nicer to come into for doctors and patients alike," says Dr. Rodney of the new building. Corbett photo. :.. A BRIGHTER ATMOSPHERE is pan of the new look for the clinic has been planned to bet!,handle traffic flow Corbett photo at the health centre. There is Tess ,;ff.,,e spa- :. but the building Newly elected council gets stamp of approval and it likely won't make much difference," to "it's a puzzler," and "I want someone more responsible." There was another small but significant portion of the populace who didn't know who had been elected and admitted they didn't care. But about two thirds of the people asked are content with the council the way it is, whether they voted for those elected or not. HARVEY BEUERMAN says of the mayor's race "I figured it was going to be neck and neck. The other fella lost out last time so I thought he would get in this time, and he almost did." With this week's government developments at the federal level, people may have not had time to reflect on the results of the municipal election last Mon- day. Talk is of what's going on in Ottawa. But the Expositor recently polled some Seaforth citizens, and found the majority would give their stamp of approval to the newly elected council, and have high expec- tations of its elected members. Here is what some of these people had to say: "They're as good as anyone -a bunch of hard working people," says ED PELSS. Mr. Pelss says he was expecting a close race for the mayor's seat because the can- didates are "both good people and both have been well known around town for a lot of yam" "Hopefully things will work out. I wish everyone well, because 1 wouldn't want the job myself," says MARGARET WRIGHT. Ms. Wright worked with Mayor Hazel Hildebrand in the past and commented: "I hope things go alright for her. She's got a tough job, but I know she's quite capable." GLORIA REEVES says she is also pleas- ed with the people who will be serving the Seaforth town council, but was disappointed that Bill McLaughlin is not part of the council. "He's been on council before and I ap- preciated his experience," she says. With the difference between the can- didates for mayor being only six votes, and there having been close races for other posi- tions, there are a lot people for whom the election didn't go their way. They mostly wished to remain anonymous, and their comments ranged from "I lost my vote," Mr. Beuerman says the new council suits him all right. "I thought it was all rignt. 1 like to see women get involved in these things," says RUTH CLUFF. When asked what kind of job she thinks the new council will do she responds: "None of them ever do thing terrible. They're all honest peop " "They have a good says ARCina. SOMERVI A E. "It's ,,n Bible to please everyone but they'll do • e 0- best." Mr. Somerville w„ '; -eased by the interest the pun., s,. in the election and the tux ,n•i` .,t ' e tolls, Seaforth awarded $40, Ouu grant A grant of $40,000 under the Ontario Home Renewal Program (OHRP) for the town of Seaforth has been awarded to the town of Seaforth. Seaforth is one of 13 municipalities receiving a total of $468,000 in provincial OHRP funding. Administered by municipalities, the OHRP program assist homeowners in upgrading their homes, with the emphasis on correcting faulty structural and sanitary conditions, as well as improving plumbing, insulation, heating and electrical systems. Loans of up to $7,500 are made available to eligible owner -occupants who wish to bring their homes rip to standard. A portion of a loan may be forgiven, depending on the reci- pient's income. Interest rates range from zero to ten per cent, again depending on income. For applicants, the maximum annual in- COMMUNITY CALENDAR 11 you're organizing a non-protlt event of Interest to other Seaforth area residents, phone the recreation office 527-0882 or the Expositor at 527-0240, or mail the Information to Com- munity Calendar, The Huron Expixsitor, Box 69, Seaforth, Ontario, NOK 1 WO well In advance of the echeduled date. Space for the Community Calendar i9 donated by The Huron Expositor. Wed., Nov. 23 1-3 p.m. — Parents 6 Tots Skating 4:30-5:30 p.m. — Tween Ringette 5:30-6:30 p.m. — Bantam Practice 6:30-8:00 p.m. — Minor Broomball 8-9 p.m. — Fitness is Fun at Arena 8-10:30 p.m. — Ladies' Broomball 10:30-12 p.m. — Centenaries Practice Sat., Nov. 26 7-9 p.m. — Figure Skating 9 a.m.-8:00 p.m. — Novice Toumament 8 p.m. — Pee Wee 11 vs Brussels come, aft, arowat, dedu'- inns are made, is $21,000. Seaforth has previously received $228,267 in er arts which have helped upgrade 90 urri,s. 0HRP t,C Ifits are available to owner- s -It -ax,tin all municipalities which have adopted nu,timum housing standards by- lavis or resolutions establishing standards, and have decided to take part in the pro- gram. In communities without municipal boundaries, OHRP is administered by the Ministry of Housing in conjunction with the Ministry of Northern Development. More than 40,000 Ontario homeowners have benefitted from OHRP since the pro- gram was announced in 1974. OHRP is one of the Ministry of Housing's initiativies to help conserve housing in Ontario. Thurs., Nov. 24 Sun., Nov. 27 9 a.m.-8 p.m. — Novice Tournament 8 p.m. — Hawks vs Rangers 9:30 p.m, — Penguins vs Bruins 8:30-9:30 a.m. — Fitness is Fun at Arena 4:30-5:30 p.m. — Pee Wee I1 Practice 5:30-6:30 p.m. — Pee Wee I Practice 6:30-7:30 p.m. — Minor Broomball 7:30-12:00 p.m. — Men's Broomball 7:30-9:00 p.m. — Mixed Basketball at High School Fn., Nov. 25 Mon., Nov. 28 4:30-8:30 p.m. — Figure Skating 8:30 p.m. — Beavers 10-11 p.m. — Midget Practice 4-5 p.m. — Belle Ringette 5-6 p.m. — Jr. House Leg. - Practice 6-7 p.m. — Sr. House Leg. - Practice 7-8 p.m. — Petite Ringette 8-9 p.m. — Jr. Ringette 9 p.m. — Pee Wee I vs Listowel Sat., Nov. 26 Tues., Nov. 29 8:30-9:30 p.m. — Fitness is Fun at Arena 5:30-6:30 p.m. Atom Practice 6:30-8:00 p.m. — Bantam 8-10 p.m. — Midgets vs Zurich 1:30 p.m. — Story Hour at the Library Wed., Nov. 30 1-3 p.m. — Parents & Tots Skating 4:30-5:30 p.m. — Tween Ringette 5:30-6:30 p.m. — Bantam Practice 6:30-8:00 p.m. — Minor Broomball 8-10 p.m. — Adult Volleyball at High Schnol 8-9 p.m. — Fit-ess is Fun a, 'n2 8-10:3C n. 1 es' Broomball 10:30- p n C--,tenalre. 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