The results of the CARP survey indicates that improvements are needed to how health care is delivered in Canada QJ
Government out of step with out of country care
Consistent with our findings in the past, most respondents, despite their high ratings of their care at home, are willing to travel outside the system if they had to and to expect reimbursement. Almost 40% said such care should be reimbursed by the Canadian health care system without conditions. Many more (59%) said that there should be reimbursement with conditions. Only 2% said there should be no reimbursement. Belief in full unconditional reimbursement is far higher in Quebec (53%) than elsewhere.
Only 30% thought that reimbursement should require prior approval. 27% thought approval could be given after treatment was started or completed and over 42% said reimbursement should just require a referral from your doctor. In Quebec, that figure was even higher (48%).
Clearly, the policy makers that insist on strict application of the prior approval requirements are way out of step with CARP ActionOnline readers who answered our survey and we will be drawing this response to their attention.
These survey results, based on over 5,600 CARP ActionOnline readers, are considered reliable within plus or minus 1.4 % 19 times out of 20.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
expensive overlap and duplication
Read full article...
Paramedics and patients are constantly bombarded with fire services even though we have notified our communications office and asked them to cancel fires assistance. Apparently, according to Mr. Scharf (fire management), our council members implemented this "can't cancel fire services" policy. When paramedics arrive at a scene, fire services are still rushing through traffic with their bells and whistles blaring, to needlessly arrive at the same place as paramedics. Then they are sent back, as we don't need them, although some of them stick around unnecessarily.
Paramedics and patients are constantly bombarded with fire services even though we have notified our communications office and asked them to cancel fires assistance. Apparently, according to Mr. Scharf (fire management), our council members implemented this "can't cancel fire services" policy. When paramedics arrive at a scene, fire services are still rushing through traffic with their bells and whistles blaring, to needlessly arrive at the same place as paramedics. Then they are sent back, as we don't need them, although some of them stick around unnecessarily.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
ProActive Rants: Senior centre seeks donations of books, puzzles and plants - Brantford Expositor - Ontario, CA
ProActive Rants: Senior centre seeks donations of books, puzzles and plants - Brantford Expositor - Ontario, CA
construtive spring cleaning - help others and help yourself
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Board Heads In Wrong Salary Direction - Chatham Daily News - Ontario, CA
Board Heads In Wrong Salary Direction - Chatham Daily News - Ontario, CA: "Board Heads In Wrong Salary Direction
Posted By
Overpaid for what they do - citizens finally speak out -QJ-- good for them "
Posted By
Overpaid for what they do - citizens finally speak out -QJ-- good for them "
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Douglas md's -Daily Dose Health Digest for the week
Dr Douglas always has something interesting to say - he is not fond of those that profit from others misery-those that write self serving and obvious research reports- always worth a read
- watch out for your daughters
- drug testing - why job holders and not welfare recepients
- drug more gouging
- uneessary prostate treatments -cure is worse research
Stop shelling out your cash for yesterday's solutions. What I talked about in the Daily Dose this week... Vegetarians more likely to have eating disorders Hang on to your carrot stick. There's actually a new study that's got something negative to say about vegetarianism. It turns out that many people who are vegetarians have made this "lifestyle choice" because they think it will help control their weight—as opposed to simply swearing off meat for the principle of it. Because of this, some people are now saying that vegetarianism is a sign of an eating disorder. Read the full story. Not-so-great wall of China: Imported drywall could be toxic Yet another Chinese-made good is threatening the health of people here in the U.S. Florida homeowners have complained that the drywall in their homes, which was imported from China, is not only giving off a foul odor like sulfer, but is also emitting corrosive gases that are destroying home appliances. So you can just imagine what it's doing to people's lungs. Read the full story. States battle over drug tests for welfare recipients Believe it or not, some states have shot down bills that would require drug tests for people on the welfare rolls. As if it's not bad enough that we have 20 million illegal citizens of Mexico getting health benefits from the U.S. taxpayers, now it seems that it's just fine to be paying people to sit around and take drugs instead of taking a job and contributing to society. Where does it end? Wonder drug aimed at creating wonderful profits for Big Pharma It's no secret that Big Pharma companies allow their marketing departments to have an undue amount of influence on their research and development departments. There's one new drug in the works that has "marketing gimmick" written all over it. The drug in question is known as the "Polypill" – it's a 5-in-1 pill that's designed to fight heart disease. Read the full story. Daily Dose readers can now tap into the minds of other health-conscious readers at http://clicks.douglassreport.com//t/AQ/FZU/GPs/C4Y/AQ/AmRRXw/Sskv Copyright (c)2009 by www.douglassreport.com, L.L.C. The Daily Dose may not be posted on commercial sites without written permission. |
--
Back to Eden communities
Sunridge -261 Oakhill Drive, Brantford
New Beginnings -23 Richards Ridgetown
backtoeden.ontario@gmail.com
www.backtoeden.bravehost.com
"Building elder peer communities that are cozy,caring and comfortable" -quality 24/7 care
Friday, April 17, 2009
Public reader input- Public speak out
HARMONY DISCONCERTING ( on tax gouging)
Sir:Down through the years there have been famous illegal or unethical "transfers" of wealth. The Great Train Robbery, for example, or the heist of an armoured car in Montreal a few years back, or the Enron debacle, or more recently the Stafford and Bernard Madoff successes in parting people from their money. There have also been some notable team efforts with Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid or Bonnie and Clyde. However, there is a new team in action -- McGuinty and Duncan about to lighten our wallets through tax harmonization.
This massive cash grab is quite simple. We will now pay combined provincial and federal taxes on all services such as haircuts, manicures, stamps, real-estate closing costs, all the way up to new homes, depending on the value of the house, and on hundreds of personal items and foodstuffs.
Our federal and provincial governments are doling out massive sums of money to bolster our economy and need to take more of our money from us to fund it. Any government suggestions that this is "revenue neutral" because of one-time rebates to be mailed out two months before the next provincial election are pure horse feathers. Much like the insincerity of McGuinty's aim that the health tax implemented several years back is not a tax.
There are some amazing coincidences in the timing of this long reach of the combined governments to increase their take from us. For several years, McGuinty has been complaining loudly about the unfairness of equalization payments from Ottawa and that Ontario is being short-changed. Now, all of a sudden McGuinty is silent on this subject. Another interesting tidbit is that in the next federal election, there will be 21 new seats in the House of Commons from Ontario.
On a related subject, King Stevie's Quebec strategy has exploded in his face. He needs those Ontario seats. Last but not least, Stevie is providing a $4.3 billion "incentive" (bribe?) to Ontario to complete the sales tax harmonization.
Let's see: 21 new Ontario federal seats that could offset Conservative losses in Quebec, $4.3 billion coming to Ontario from Ottawa, sudden cessation of complaints from Toronto about Ottawa's unfairness to Ontario, and the federal Conservatives and provincial Liberals actually romancing again. Could there be a connection to all of these phenomena? Probably not even the Shadow knows . . . -- H. David Goldsmith Chatham
DON'T LET THE SRC GO TO WASTE ( on waste of public assets)
Sir:Recently, I was driving through Dealtown. I was on my way to a client's home, when I was amazed by what I saw. From a distance, I was under the impression that there was a large resort or retirement complex that I was unfamiliar with. A closer look, and a little research later, I realized what I was looking at was the Southwest Regional Centre, former health-care facility for the developmentally challenged.
Not growing up in Essex or Kent County, I was oblivious to the fact there existed such a facility here. In fact, my wife, born and raised in Windsor, always joked with her friends growing up that mentally ill people were shipped off to London or St. Thomas for psychiatric help. She was unaware that Southwest Regional Centre was nearby, let alone such a big and beautiful property with loads of potential.
The reason for this letter is to not only make known what it is we are letting go to waste, but to encourage the surrounding area to make something of this potential disgrace. To let a piece of property and architecture not be used to its full potential should be a crime. The value in the lakeside property alone is worth a mint.
In these economic trying times, why let it sit there unused, destined to become an eyesore unless it is maintained and loved. What we need to do is to fully examine all the possibilities in order to maintain the property and invite a new owner to provide stimulus in these desperate times.
Dealtown is barely large enough to be on many maps. Why not, as a boost for Dealtown and the surrounding area, we band together to save the Southwest Regional Centre?
The possibilities are endless -- a retirement community, tourist resort, educational facility, etc.
There is also the chance that if certain organizations were aware of its existence they may look at expanding or moving to the area. What about entertainment studios, training facilities, even a return to use as a health-care facility? -- Dave Richardson Windsor
SEEK HOSPITAL CLARITY ( On the need for real information not government spin)
Sir:To those who depend on Sydenham District Hospital, do not be fooled by tricky messaging. If you listen closely to what the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance said, you would have heard the term, "new facility," not "new hospital," for Wallaceburg.
The CKHA, when asked if this "new facility," which has not been approved nor funded as yet, would be a hospital with an emergency department, the answer is, there is a long planning process to go through before they will know that. When asked since they do not know if there will be an emergency department, how can they close the medicine beds effective July 27, since these are vital for a functioning emergency department, the answer is they need to support the efforts of the CKHA to save money. One answer contradicts the other. Which is it? The CKHA needs to get rid of the mumble jumble and be straight and honest with the users of SDH. Will the "new facility" for Wallaceburg contain an emergency department or will it not? If the answer is "yes" or "we do not know" then how can you close the medicine beds effective July 27?
Call Ken Tremblay (519- 437-6000), Gary Switzer (519-351- 5677) and Maria Van Bommel (1- 800-265-3916) and ask them for an answer. The people who depend on SDH deserve a clear, decisive and honest answer now. -- Jeff Wesley SOS Chair
Article ID# 1527562
Sir:Down through the years there have been famous illegal or unethical "transfers" of wealth. The Great Train Robbery, for example, or the heist of an armoured car in Montreal a few years back, or the Enron debacle, or more recently the Stafford and Bernard Madoff successes in parting people from their money. There have also been some notable team efforts with Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid or Bonnie and Clyde. However, there is a new team in action -- McGuinty and Duncan about to lighten our wallets through tax harmonization.
This massive cash grab is quite simple. We will now pay combined provincial and federal taxes on all services such as haircuts, manicures, stamps, real-estate closing costs, all the way up to new homes, depending on the value of the house, and on hundreds of personal items and foodstuffs.
Our federal and provincial governments are doling out massive sums of money to bolster our economy and need to take more of our money from us to fund it. Any government suggestions that this is "revenue neutral" because of one-time rebates to be mailed out two months before the next provincial election are pure horse feathers. Much like the insincerity of McGuinty's aim that the health tax implemented several years back is not a tax.
There are some amazing coincidences in the timing of this long reach of the combined governments to increase their take from us. For several years, McGuinty has been complaining loudly about the unfairness of equalization payments from Ottawa and that Ontario is being short-changed. Now, all of a sudden McGuinty is silent on this subject. Another interesting tidbit is that in the next federal election, there will be 21 new seats in the House of Commons from Ontario.
On a related subject, King Stevie's Quebec strategy has exploded in his face. He needs those Ontario seats. Last but not least, Stevie is providing a $4.3 billion "incentive" (bribe?) to Ontario to complete the sales tax harmonization.
Let's see: 21 new Ontario federal seats that could offset Conservative losses in Quebec, $4.3 billion coming to Ontario from Ottawa, sudden cessation of complaints from Toronto about Ottawa's unfairness to Ontario, and the federal Conservatives and provincial Liberals actually romancing again. Could there be a connection to all of these phenomena? Probably not even the Shadow knows . . . -- H. David Goldsmith Chatham
DON'T LET THE SRC GO TO WASTE ( on waste of public assets)
Sir:Recently, I was driving through Dealtown. I was on my way to a client's home, when I was amazed by what I saw. From a distance, I was under the impression that there was a large resort or retirement complex that I was unfamiliar with. A closer look, and a little research later, I realized what I was looking at was the Southwest Regional Centre, former health-care facility for the developmentally challenged.
Not growing up in Essex or Kent County, I was oblivious to the fact there existed such a facility here. In fact, my wife, born and raised in Windsor, always joked with her friends growing up that mentally ill people were shipped off to London or St. Thomas for psychiatric help. She was unaware that Southwest Regional Centre was nearby, let alone such a big and beautiful property with loads of potential.
The reason for this letter is to not only make known what it is we are letting go to waste, but to encourage the surrounding area to make something of this potential disgrace. To let a piece of property and architecture not be used to its full potential should be a crime. The value in the lakeside property alone is worth a mint.
In these economic trying times, why let it sit there unused, destined to become an eyesore unless it is maintained and loved. What we need to do is to fully examine all the possibilities in order to maintain the property and invite a new owner to provide stimulus in these desperate times.
Dealtown is barely large enough to be on many maps. Why not, as a boost for Dealtown and the surrounding area, we band together to save the Southwest Regional Centre?
The possibilities are endless -- a retirement community, tourist resort, educational facility, etc.
There is also the chance that if certain organizations were aware of its existence they may look at expanding or moving to the area. What about entertainment studios, training facilities, even a return to use as a health-care facility? -- Dave Richardson Windsor
SEEK HOSPITAL CLARITY ( On the need for real information not government spin)
Sir:To those who depend on Sydenham District Hospital, do not be fooled by tricky messaging. If you listen closely to what the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance said, you would have heard the term, "new facility," not "new hospital," for Wallaceburg.
The CKHA, when asked if this "new facility," which has not been approved nor funded as yet, would be a hospital with an emergency department, the answer is, there is a long planning process to go through before they will know that. When asked since they do not know if there will be an emergency department, how can they close the medicine beds effective July 27, since these are vital for a functioning emergency department, the answer is they need to support the efforts of the CKHA to save money. One answer contradicts the other. Which is it? The CKHA needs to get rid of the mumble jumble and be straight and honest with the users of SDH. Will the "new facility" for Wallaceburg contain an emergency department or will it not? If the answer is "yes" or "we do not know" then how can you close the medicine beds effective July 27?
Call Ken Tremblay (519- 437-6000), Gary Switzer (519-351- 5677) and Maria Van Bommel (1- 800-265-3916) and ask them for an answer. The people who depend on SDH deserve a clear, decisive and honest answer now. -- Jeff Wesley SOS Chair
Article ID# 1527562
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
Monday, April 06, 2009
HIV-positive man found guilty of first-degree murder - Brantford Expositor - Ontario, CA
HIV-positive man found guilty of first-degree murder - Brantford Expositor - Ontario, CA: "HIV-positive man found guilty of first-degree murder"
Thursday, April 02, 2009
SOS wary of new hospital talk - Chatham Daily News - Ontario, CA
SOS wary of new hospital talk - Chatham Daily News - Ontario, CA: "SOS wary of new hospital talk
HEALTH CARE: Wesley believes it won't have an ER
Posted By BOB BOUGHNER, THE DAILY NEWS
Posted 4 hours ago
Despite talk of a new hospital in Wallaceburg, the Save Our Sydenham Committee is forging ahead.
'It's just more babblegap to confuse the issue,'' Jeff Wesley, SOS spokesman, said yesterday.
Wesley said he's convinced the plan is to build a 'glorified primary and urgent care clinic with no emergency room.''
Chatham-Kent Health Alliance officials said Tuesday they plan to replace the 55-year-old Sydenham campus and the 50-year-old Public General campus in Chatham."
" This illustrators what happens to those that over promise and do not deliver or has cried wolf to often. The skepticism is well earned and the vigilence by the citizen is needed ' QJ
HEALTH CARE: Wesley believes it won't have an ER
Posted By BOB BOUGHNER, THE DAILY NEWS
Posted 4 hours ago
Despite talk of a new hospital in Wallaceburg, the Save Our Sydenham Committee is forging ahead.
'It's just more babblegap to confuse the issue,'' Jeff Wesley, SOS spokesman, said yesterday.
Wesley said he's convinced the plan is to build a 'glorified primary and urgent care clinic with no emergency room.''
Chatham-Kent Health Alliance officials said Tuesday they plan to replace the 55-year-old Sydenham campus and the 50-year-old Public General campus in Chatham."
" This illustrators what happens to those that over promise and do not deliver or has cried wolf to often. The skepticism is well earned and the vigilence by the citizen is needed ' QJ
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Records show more evidence of hospital data manipulation: Opposition - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
Records show more evidence of hospital data manipulation: Opposition - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation): "Records show more evidence of hospital data manipulation: Opposition
Posted Wed Apr 1, 2009 9:33am AEDT
The Victorian Opposition says it has evidence to suggest more hospitals have manipulated patient waiting lists.
The Government commissioned an independent audit of the Royal Women's Hospital, which found that some data has been falsified.
The Opposition's health spokeswoman, Helen Shardey, says freedom of information records indicate that other hospitals, including the Austin and the Royal Melbourne, are fudging the figures."
Posted Wed Apr 1, 2009 9:33am AEDT
The Victorian Opposition says it has evidence to suggest more hospitals have manipulated patient waiting lists.
The Government commissioned an independent audit of the Royal Women's Hospital, which found that some data has been falsified.
The Opposition's health spokeswoman, Helen Shardey, says freedom of information records indicate that other hospitals, including the Austin and the Royal Melbourne, are fudging the figures."
Manipulating infomation for self serving gain -is not original. Vigilence, audits and the freedom of inomation act are weapons to ensure that the system is truly transparent with nothing to hide.QJ
SOS targets trustees - Chatham Daily News - Ontario, CA
SOS targets trustees - Chatham Daily News - Ontario, CA
Volunteer hospital board of trustee members were put on the hot seat during last night's Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Tri-Board meeting.
Conrad Noel, vice-chairman of the Save Our Sydenham committee, asked trustees to vacate their seats so they can be replaced with people who are interested in representing the interests of the community.
He was one of three local residents to address hospital trustees about community concerns over the Hay report to the Erie St. Clair Local Health Integration Network, recommending the closure of the Sydenham District Hospital emergency department.
Wallaceburg Coun. Sheldon Parsons served notice there are 220 applications for membership with the SDH corporation and the number is growing.
He hopes to see that number grow to 1,000 to have voting power to elect representatives to fill what he understands is three of seven positions on the SDH board, which will be up for consideration at its annual meeting on June 22.
SOS chairman, Jeff Wesley, told the tri-board it seems like every five years Wallaceburg has to fight to keep services at SDH.
Another tool in the accountabiiity arsenal - target the public directors and trustees - So far the SoS group is adding pressure to all the right points- to be continued- QJ
"Now we're at the point where a lot of people are fed up," Wesley said.
Volunteer hospital board of trustee members were put on the hot seat during last night's Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Tri-Board meeting.
Conrad Noel, vice-chairman of the Save Our Sydenham committee, asked trustees to vacate their seats so they can be replaced with people who are interested in representing the interests of the community.
He was one of three local residents to address hospital trustees about community concerns over the Hay report to the Erie St. Clair Local Health Integration Network, recommending the closure of the Sydenham District Hospital emergency department.
Wallaceburg Coun. Sheldon Parsons served notice there are 220 applications for membership with the SDH corporation and the number is growing.
He hopes to see that number grow to 1,000 to have voting power to elect representatives to fill what he understands is three of seven positions on the SDH board, which will be up for consideration at its annual meeting on June 22.
SOS chairman, Jeff Wesley, told the tri-board it seems like every five years Wallaceburg has to fight to keep services at SDH.
Another tool in the accountabiiity arsenal - target the public directors and trustees - So far the SoS group is adding pressure to all the right points- to be continued- QJ
"Now we're at the point where a lot of people are fed up," Wesley said.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
CARP - A New Vision of Aging for Canada
CARP - A New Vision of Aging for Canada: "Ontario Budget 2009: No Major Gains in Healthcare
There are no major healthcare gains for older Canadians in this budget. $223 million of the 1.1 billion already set aside for the Aging at Home Strategy will be spent in 2009-10. This spending represents an increase from the $94 million spent in 2008-09. The money will be administered by the Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs) and is meant to also provide an integrated continuum of community-based services, home care services as well as caregiver support. Because service plans are to be determined by the LHINs according to local need, they will vary across jurisdictions.
Answers to the question of how exactly the LHINs will deliver these services have been nebulous at best and there is yet to be a comprehensive report to explain how the LHINs propose to spend the money. CARP hopes that the LHINs will provide an interim report before the money has been spent. The Aging at Home Strategy is one of the initiatives the province is using to shorten ER wait times. CARP has argued that wait times should not be shortened at the expense of ‘alternate level of care’ patients (ALC). These post-acute patients are often sent to other health care facilities to shorten ER wait times. According to Judith Wahl, executive director Advocacy Centre for the Elderly: “ALC patients are quite often not ready to return home. Their needs are such that they are unable to function on their own, and need rehabilitation and more comprehensive care then families are often able to provide.” These patients are sometimes being forced to take placement in a (LTC) facility, sometimes many miles away from their friends and/or family, and in some instances, are being pushed into private retirement homes.
The budget states there will be"
There are no major healthcare gains for older Canadians in this budget. $223 million of the 1.1 billion already set aside for the Aging at Home Strategy will be spent in 2009-10. This spending represents an increase from the $94 million spent in 2008-09. The money will be administered by the Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs) and is meant to also provide an integrated continuum of community-based services, home care services as well as caregiver support. Because service plans are to be determined by the LHINs according to local need, they will vary across jurisdictions.
Answers to the question of how exactly the LHINs will deliver these services have been nebulous at best and there is yet to be a comprehensive report to explain how the LHINs propose to spend the money. CARP hopes that the LHINs will provide an interim report before the money has been spent. The Aging at Home Strategy is one of the initiatives the province is using to shorten ER wait times. CARP has argued that wait times should not be shortened at the expense of ‘alternate level of care’ patients (ALC). These post-acute patients are often sent to other health care facilities to shorten ER wait times. According to Judith Wahl, executive director Advocacy Centre for the Elderly: “ALC patients are quite often not ready to return home. Their needs are such that they are unable to function on their own, and need rehabilitation and more comprehensive care then families are often able to provide.” These patients are sometimes being forced to take placement in a (LTC) facility, sometimes many miles away from their friends and/or family, and in some instances, are being pushed into private retirement homes.
The budget states there will be"
Friday, March 27, 2009
Lhin, CKHA 'Raping' Sydenham Hospital - Chatham Daily News - Ontario, CA
http://www.chathamdailynews.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1497548
Sir:Over the years, I have been privileged to work with many outstanding
gifted people. The individuals whom I admired the most were from
Wallaceburg and surrounding area.
H. W. Burgess was the driving force to build a hospital in Wallaceburg
to serve the population of our area and Walpole Island.
Mr. Burgesswasa renowned and successful businessman who gathered the
capital and volunteer labour to build our hospital.
He was the first chairman of the board of directors.
Next was Wilfred Webber who owned a farm just west of Wallaceburg in
Chatham Gore Township.
He almost lived on the site while the construction of the hospital took
place.
Don Benn was the third chairman, a well-known businessman of Wallaceburg
and owner of Benn Iron Foundry.
Malcolm Crawford was a farmer, owning property in Dover Township and
area. Al Cousins, a Wallaceburg businessman was next.
Then came Dean MacDonald, a Wallaceburg businessman and owner of Mac
Construction, Elric Construction, etc.; Dean Ewing, a farmer in Chatham
Township and Chatham Gore; Tom McGregor a lawyer with a home in Chatham
Township; Jackie Dalgety, a successful businesswomen; and Peggy
Lombombard, a high school teacher and granddaughter of H. W. Burgess.
There were so many board members over the years I cannot list them all.
Their heart, and dedication to the Sydenham District Hospital were
unlimited. They were not paid money for their positions; their reward
was to see the hospital grow and expand to be successful in service of
health to all the people of Wallaceburg, Walpole Island and area.
Having been on the board of directors for several years, I look back
with pride and thank those who not only donated money, but volunteered
their time and energy. For more than 40 years it was a family --
doctors, nurses, staff and board members that gave many, many hours of
volunteer work to keep this hospital always in the black. What I enjoyed
the most was the happy felling of being part of the family.
Continued After Advertisement Below
Advertisement
I have been to the hospital several times in the past two weeks and I do
not get the feeling of family.
I do not see the pictures of the past chairmen or directors, or plaques
of the donators and the volunteers.
Frank Martin, with donated supplies, built the beautiful gazebo out
front.
There are so many people who donated money, time and supplies to the
Sydenham District Hospital.
I am proud of Jeff Wesley for his fighting stance on what is happening
to the Sydenham District Hospital.
I am also proud of Chief Joe Gilbert protecting Walpole First Nation and
the citizens of our area.
We need more men of their calibre to lead the masses.
To sit back and watch the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance and the LHIN rape
our hospital and tear our family apart is a crime.
The LHIN is a buffer for the minister of health and the premier.
When things go wrong the LHIN will get the blame and the minister and
his office will offer their regrets.
We have a beautiful country that is being taken over by bureaucrats on
every level; municipal, provincial and federal. We are complacent, but
someday people will say enough is enough and rebel.
We are losing our rural control to Toronto. I cannot understand how a
board of Torontonians can tell us what is best for our area.
Stand alongside Jeff Wesley and Chief Gilbert and save our Sydenham
hospital!
To see the hard work, dedication and donations over the years being
destroyed by the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance and the LHIN is not only
depressing, but disgusting. When Jeff Wesley and Chief Joseph Gilbert
call on you for help, please support them immediately!
Speaking of help, where are our members of our federal and provincial
Parliament?
They should be alongside Chief Joseph Gilbert, Jeff Wesley and the
community-minded citizens who are fighting for the health and safety of
Wallaceburg, Walpole Island and surrounding area.
-- Rex Crawford Dover
Parsons uses FOI to obtain information - Chatham Daily News - Ontario, CA
http://www.chathamdailynews.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1497544
Parsons uses FOI to obtain information Posted By ERICA BAJER, THE DAILY
NEWS
A Wallaceburg councillor is using the province's Freedom of Information
legislation to try and access a report on the physical condition of the
Sydenham hospital.
Sheldon Parsons handed an FOI request to Erie St. Clair Local Health
Integration Network CEO Gary Switzer yesterday.
Switzer said the LHIN doesn't have a copy of the 2005 infrastructure
study compiled by Stantec Consulting. However, he plans to forward the
FOI request to the Ministry of Health and Long-term Care.
Parsons didn't hand CKHA the FOI request, because hospitals are exempt
from the legislation.
"We believe that you have the authority to get it," Parsons told
Switzer. "We believe it was used as background data for the Hay report."
The councillor said Chatham- Kent Health Alliance has denied requests
from the Save Our Sydenham committee to hand over the full report.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
People are fighting to save their care system -Chatham-Kent
SOS seeks full report
HEALTH CARE: Wants report before Friday's meeting
Posted By TREVOR TERFLOTH, THE DAILY NEWS
Save Our Sydenham members want the full story on the physical condition of the Wallaceburg hospital.
The group requested a 2005 infrastructure study commissioned by the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance from Stantec Consulting.
However, CKHA CEO Ken Tremblay had denied the full report to SOS, saying a Powerpoint summary was already given to them.
SOS chairman Jeff Wesley said the group needs the information to prepare for Friday's public meeting with the Erie St. Clair Local Health Integration Network in Wallaceburg.
"We're a grassroots organization. We don't have paid staff," he said. "They've asked us for solutions -- we want to give them solutions."
Earlier this year, the LHIN received a report that recommended the closure of the Sydenham Campus emergency department.
Wallaceburg Coun. Sheldon Parsons criticized Tremblay and the hospital on the council floor during Monday's meeting, saying SOS deserved to have the Stantec information.
Yesterday, Parsons said it was his understanding that one copy of the report would be released to Rob Browning, the municipality's chief administrative officer.
As of yesterday afternoon, the councillor was still waiting for the report. He was unsure of the timeframe for its release.
"They've authorized a copy," Parsons said. "I'm going to be allowed to look at it."
Tremblay couldn't be reached for immediate comment.
four-year-old Stantec report, but hadn't seen it personally.
He gave an update on the emergency department issue at the LHIN board yesterday and said the public is providing much feedback.
Some concerns raised include rural availability of care, patient transportation and travel time.
"They're very, very valid concerns," Ganter said.
The Hay Group had recommended the Sydenham Campus become an urgent-care centre.
Ganter said the LHIN is still collecting information and also speaking with officials from such a facility in British Columbia.
"We want to understand what the pros and cons are," he said.
Friday's community meeting will take place at 7 p. m. at Wallaceburg District Secondary School.
Presentations will be made and the community will have the opportunity to share their views about the Hay Group's report.
"Comment - good for the SOS citizen group for trying to get an accounting of their public money and save their hospital and care system . The customer is King- it is good to see a demonstration of this new principle. Don't except the standard excuses for bad service or bad public decisions " Q-J--
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Solution: Pilot proposal to improve the Ontario Health Care system
Proposal for Pilot Scale Modifications to the Ontario Healthcare System
Executive Summary
The Ontario healthcare system is in need of an overhaul. Not only are costs skyrocketing, but also the public perceives that the treatment of patients is critically ill with unacceptable waiting times. Real and needed procedures are being cut while the administrative costs of the system continue to escalate unabated.
The last two statements are keys to the puzzle. In the Brantford health catchments basin, The recent removal of beds from the Willett Hospital in Paris is a prime example. These beds have allowed the Brantford General Hospital an additional $10 million without doing anything to reduce waiting times or improve patient care. A full-fledged hospital is turned into a glorified office building. The LHIN has consequently approved a new CHC building to reduce waiting times after 2 local care facilities have been decommissioned. These are indications that the system has been bureaucratized; with internal patient delivery standards compromised and that a total collapse of the system could be imminent. The present system is financially unsustainable, the golden age of health has become tarnished with limited service, that is very expensive and that is not user friendly.
Healthcare is too critical a service to be allowed to collapse. The system needs major corrective surgery to survive. To date, successive governments appear to be "tinkering" with solutions that have little apparent positive impact to the patient or caregiver. What this means is more of same with large infusions of cash and absolutely no real improvement. The Supreme Court has deemed that Healthcare is a Section 7 Charter of Rights issue. This means that an "out of the box solution is required – sooner rather than later.
The Ontario Government is now in a bind. If delays in service provision cause damage or death, the Supreme Court's decision could put the government in the crosshairs of litigation. This proposal can form the basis of a "due diligence" defense. The government can also legitimately claim that they are trying something new and different in Ontario – something that has worked in Europe and which has a good chance of working here. It is a no-lose option.
What follows is an out of the box solution. This is somewhat similar to what the Swedish public health used to be, before it was radically reformed and competitively re-invented. Add to that some innovative revenue streams, and we may have options for the government to allow them to extricate themselves from a situation that has been brewing for 15 to 20 years.
There must be radical surgery for the business of providing healthcare systems. We can no longer afford to have unimaginative and ill-conceived tinkering. We need full blown, out of the box solutions for the system to avoid implosion and collapse.
Let us consider healthcare as a business for a moment. If a business is alienating and not delivering services to its customers, and its costs are soaring, there are really two solutions - let it die, which is not an option, or restructure and re-invent it to deliver better service. What are the reality pill options?
We propose to expand the customer and revenue base to allow the system to breathe again. To date, expanding the system revenue base has meant that the government has to cough up more public "taxpayer" money. This solution means that the people have to pay and that the administrative bureaucracy expands to "take care of" the investment, particularly at the provincial level. The spending priorities are obviously misaligned.
Our proposed solution involves a reduction in the bureaucracy. It also involves a reduction in government involvement. What would happen if healthcare became a profit centre instead of a cost centre, or an increasing sinkhole for public money? "Private Healthcare", screams the bureaucrat. No, it is just an opportunity to make money by providing service for non-Ontarians in the worldwide market place. Medical tourism is a proven and accepted practise
Executive Summary
The Ontario healthcare system is in need of an overhaul. Not only are costs skyrocketing, but also the public perceives that the treatment of patients is critically ill with unacceptable waiting times. Real and needed procedures are being cut while the administrative costs of the system continue to escalate unabated.
The last two statements are keys to the puzzle. In the Brantford health catchments basin, The recent removal of beds from the Willett Hospital in Paris is a prime example. These beds have allowed the Brantford General Hospital an additional $10 million without doing anything to reduce waiting times or improve patient care. A full-fledged hospital is turned into a glorified office building. The LHIN has consequently approved a new CHC building to reduce waiting times after 2 local care facilities have been decommissioned. These are indications that the system has been bureaucratized; with internal patient delivery standards compromised and that a total collapse of the system could be imminent. The present system is financially unsustainable, the golden age of health has become tarnished with limited service, that is very expensive and that is not user friendly.
Healthcare is too critical a service to be allowed to collapse. The system needs major corrective surgery to survive. To date, successive governments appear to be "tinkering" with solutions that have little apparent positive impact to the patient or caregiver. What this means is more of same with large infusions of cash and absolutely no real improvement. The Supreme Court has deemed that Healthcare is a Section 7 Charter of Rights issue. This means that an "out of the box solution is required – sooner rather than later.
The Ontario Government is now in a bind. If delays in service provision cause damage or death, the Supreme Court's decision could put the government in the crosshairs of litigation. This proposal can form the basis of a "due diligence" defense. The government can also legitimately claim that they are trying something new and different in Ontario – something that has worked in Europe and which has a good chance of working here. It is a no-lose option.
What follows is an out of the box solution. This is somewhat similar to what the Swedish public health used to be, before it was radically reformed and competitively re-invented. Add to that some innovative revenue streams, and we may have options for the government to allow them to extricate themselves from a situation that has been brewing for 15 to 20 years.
There must be radical surgery for the business of providing healthcare systems. We can no longer afford to have unimaginative and ill-conceived tinkering. We need full blown, out of the box solutions for the system to avoid implosion and collapse.
Let us consider healthcare as a business for a moment. If a business is alienating and not delivering services to its customers, and its costs are soaring, there are really two solutions - let it die, which is not an option, or restructure and re-invent it to deliver better service. What are the reality pill options?
We propose to expand the customer and revenue base to allow the system to breathe again. To date, expanding the system revenue base has meant that the government has to cough up more public "taxpayer" money. This solution means that the people have to pay and that the administrative bureaucracy expands to "take care of" the investment, particularly at the provincial level. The spending priorities are obviously misaligned.
Our proposed solution involves a reduction in the bureaucracy. It also involves a reduction in government involvement. What would happen if healthcare became a profit centre instead of a cost centre, or an increasing sinkhole for public money? "Private Healthcare", screams the bureaucrat. No, it is just an opportunity to make money by providing service for non-Ontarians in the worldwide market place. Medical tourism is a proven and accepted practise
"Last year Canadians spent $172 billion a year up from $79 billi0n in 1997. What accounts for these increases and how can Canadians receive better value for money? This proposal could be part of the solution." QJ
S. Holle BS MBA
backtoeden.ontario@gmail.com
http://www.backtoeden.bravehost.com/
"Building elder peer communities that are cozy,caring and comfortable" -quality 24/7 care
Monday, March 23, 2009
How to turn the tables on taxpayer ripoffs in self defense
Canadian Healthcare -a free service or ride for whom?
How do we turn the tables on
There's no question that the healthcare industry is
The healthcare system is primarily set up to benefit the drug companies- the insurance companies- and the countless middlemen who have weaseled their way into the system. It is a big business where the customer is manipulated for special agendas that have little to do with providing good , timely, cost effective care to those that need the health service
A report by the independent consultancy firm, Milliman & Robertson, Inc., reports that as many as 60% of all surgeries performed in the
· Kickbacks and referral fees are common .The practice for illegally marketing drugs, for ailments they never even meant to treat is common.
o It is common to prescribe drugs and tests that were absolutely worthless
· I've seen older folks literally die because of incompetent medical treatment
· I've seen insurance companies cheat policyholders
· I've seen the Ministry of Health cheat policyholders and taxpayers by denying service, denying care service in a timely manner, and promoting higher cost products and services at the expense of lower cost better care alternatives
· I’ve seen regulated or “over regulated “care in its worse case nightmare scenario
o Over inflated health cost paid or 'over paid' by the taxpayer
§ 28$ /km legislated transportation costs
§ 1500 $/day shared room rates
§ Obscene drug charges- 1700$ plus for drops of medicine administered in less then 5 minutes
The list goes on and on. That's incredible, isn't it? This is not a pretty reality picture nor the public spin and information regularly promoted by the people who have a hand in your care pocket and are feeding from the public trough. It is time to realize that if you are an American or Canadian over the age of 40, you are almost certainly being ripped off by the healthcare system.
I'm here to tell you today that you don't have to take it anymore. Get involved and take your care system back and reduce the waste of this critical industry.
Rip-off one -Healthcare
Last year Canadians spent $172 billion a year on health care, up from $79 billion in 1997. What accounts for these increases in spending and how can Canadians receive better value for their Healthcare dollars? Did you know that the average annual health cost for a average family of three is estimated to be $18, 000. Or that the average cost of common drugs is:
§ Cancer – 80K? Sight - 15 K? Other -?
A system that instead of just foolishly risking people’s money also risks peoples lives
Rip-off two- Cost of ownership increasing
Real estate prices are dropping but real estate taxes are sky rocketing and costs of ownership are increasing –with new ridiculous regulated fees, higher energy costs, higher finance charges.
Rip-off three- Government administration cost waste You overpay your taxes to the most wasteful multi-tiered government in the world. Thousands of dollars could be saved with a wiser use of resources Rip-off four- Government self-entitlement programs The financial markets are down by 50% over last year. Yet government entitlement programs, bonuses pay millions to administrators, and government employees at the expense of the existing competitive market reality. A market corruption factor that must be addressed. Do something about it – be heard If you are sick of the waste, the endless self serving talk, if you believe that institutions (such as government , finance, health just to name a few) should be accountable to you - the customers on main street, you must do something about it. If you are tired of getting ripped off by the institutions that are supposedly there to serve you but don’t or are tired of watching the government flush away the value of your savings and assets ……. and if you are tired of everyone trying to get their hands on your money, by proclaiming to do so “in your best interests” you should do something about it If you are tired of the hypocrisy, greed and want to re-build the respect and a return to fairness in our institutions -you should promote and stand for basic operating principles and common sense Join the Taxpayers Coalitions – we care as you do in the wise use of our resources – contact respondfeedbacknow@yahoo.ca |
Friday, March 20, 2009
Patient transfer a $700 regulated waste of limited resources?
A discusting waste exposed by Christina Blizzard
Patient transfers an area for savings
A recently released study on ambulance transfers provides an interesting glimpse into a shocking hidden cost of health care.
Fully-equipped ambulances, staffed by trained EMS paramedics, are increasingly being used as an expensive form of health buses to transport patients to non-urgent care.
That's according to a study by University of Toronto researchers, who found that of the approximately 400,000 patient transfers each year, just over 80% are non-urgent, routine patient transfers.
"Primarily, these are for physician appointments, dialysis or returning to the facility they came from or home," said lead researcher Victoria Robinson in an interview.
Large urban areas can sometimes control transfer costs by using private transportation companies.
Those simply don't exist everywhere, so smaller towns and cities, northern and rural areas depend on ambulances for transfers.
"This practice diverts resources from more emergent requests," the study finds.
One of the outcomes of hospital restructuring that occurred in the 1990s is that patients no longer get one-stop shopping when they're hospitalized. One in three patients admitted to hospital has to be transferred elsewhere for treatment.
"Every day in Ontario there are approximately 3,000 hospital admissions. It is now up to 1,375 patient transfers," Robinson said. She estimates the average cost of a transfer at a staggering $700.
Patient transfers overall are costing the health-care system more than $280 million annually.
"The results call into question the use of sophisticated, highly-trained, expensive patient transfer resources to provide routine medical services in Ontario," says the report.
EMS service is provincially mandated and regulated, but is administered locally.
The researchers were able to track statistics because of changes to the transfer system that happened during the SARS outbreak of 2003. In the GTA, SARS was in part transmitted by inter-facility patient transfer.
During SARS, the old way of one hospital calling another to set up a transfer ended and a new system that screens for infectious diseases was implemented. No transfer can take place without authorization. A transfer often occurs when a patient arrives at an ER suffering from a condition that hospital isn't equipped to handle. Or, frequently, patients are transferred between hospitals for services such as dialysis -- often as many as three times a week.
While 70% of all transfers are within a 25-kilometre distance, some are longer. Those involving pregnant women and newborn babies require travelling a median of 40.3 km for re.
"The problems with transfers in general is that they are lower priority," Robinson said.
"A 911 call will always take priority.
"An emergency transfer is going to take priority over a non-urgent transfer, and a non-urgent transfer could be that dialysis appointment.
"Even though that is non-urgent, to that patient, they have to get that care and if it is delayed it's going to have an impact on their care," she said.
Clearly any system that is costing taxpayers $700 for patient transportation that could easily be handled by a taxi is unsustainable.
Let's see now: An average trip of 25 km costs us around $700. That works out to around $28 per km. At least you don't have to tip the paramedics.
Still, there has to be a cheaper and more effective way.
As health care becomes more regionalized and hospitals start to specialize in cancer care, cardiac, pediatric care and so on, this province will have to find a cheaper, more sensible way to move patients around.
Health spending watch group
backtoeden.ontario@gmail.com
http://www.backtoeden.bravehost.com/
"Building elder peer communities that are cozy,caring and comfortable" -quality 24/7 care
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Happy St Patrick's day- how goes the performance accountability war?
a little irish humour for you
Happy Saint Patrick's Day.
On or about 420 A.D., a Christian missionary supposedly rid Ireland of snakes. Ever since then, those of Irish decent – and those who just want to drink like they are – have celebrated this event by feasting on corn beef and cabbage, slamming down steins of green beers chased by shots of Glen Livet, and tossing buckets of green food coloring into the Grand River.
While Ireland remains free of snakes today, the MOH and the Brantford Site,and CCAC is slithering with them. But Saint Patrick is nowhere to be found. So our political leaders have decided the best way to get rid of the little snakes on the Canadian health Street is to send in bigger LHIN snakes from Toronto to Brantford after 4 years of extensive consultation and study .This is fondly known medically as the HCH maneuver.
Nothing good can come from this if not customer controlled.
After all, once you throw a few snakes together, it doesn't take long before they create a whole colony-the golden CHC health administrators colony. The gestation period for most snakes is about 60 days. So I'm guessing we have until the beginning of summer before the next generation of venomous reptiles strikes at the local health market. Sorry private options and real solutions are not permitted but public input is .
Who wouldn't drink a green beer for that? Cheers S
--
backtoeden.ontario@gmail.com
www.backtoeden.bravehost.com
"Building elder peer communities that are cozy,caring and comfortable" -quality 24/7 care
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