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p22 the tribune tuesday november 25 1997 important information about building a better health system in york and durham regions why are changes being made ontarios health system must change to keep up with peoples needs that is why the ontario government created an independent volunteer body called the health services restructuring commission we are medical professionals hospital administrators academic health science professionals former hospital board members and other experts we are making difficult decisions to improve ontarios health services for present and future generations we must spend health dollars more effectively we are not cutting overall health expenditures planning change carefully one step at a time as a result of a request for submissions on march 6 1997 the commission received over 80 briefs about the quality of greater toronto905 regions health system the distinct needs of the community have been carefully addressed the commission met with over 40 separate groups or individuals including local hospitals other health care providers labour representatives and community organizations feedback invited there is a 30day response period for interested organizations and individuals to comment on the hsrc recommendations outlined below the deadline for submissions to the hsrc is december 19 1997 a single community for health services the commission has reviewed health services within the context of both the gta905 area and the metropolitan toronto area many gta905 residents live along the border of metro toronto and are closer geographically to a hospital in metro than a hospital within their municipal region enhancing health services in york and durham regions the commissions recommendations include the scope and range of services in hospitals in the gta905 area will be enhanced and will offer better coordinated care for residents of the regions onethird of a billion dollars is recommended for new spending in the gta905 areas health system 185 million on services annually and 144 million on construction and equipment in york the hsrc is recommending an investment of 40 million in services and 41 million in construction and new equipment in durham 29 million will be invested in services and 40 million in construction and new equipment york central hospital york county hospital and markham stouffville hospital will maintain their separate governance and management the three boards will establish the york region hospitals joint planning committee which will make decisions that support the development of an integrated system of care the hsrc will defer its advice to the minister of health regarding shouldice hospital a private hospital until discussions between the ministry of health and shouldice hospital are concluded ajax and pickering general hospital and centenary health centre in scarborough will amalgamate to form a new hospital corporation to meet the needs of residents in west durham and east scarborough ajax and pickeringcentenary hospital corporation oshawa general hospital memorial hospital in bowrrianville whitby general hospital and north durham health services will amalgamate to form a single hospital corporation to provide service to residents in east and north durham east durham hospital corporation the programs and services of whitby general hospital will be transferred to the oshawa general and ajax and pickering sites and the whitby general site will close the hsrc will delay its decisions regarding the content and configuration of services for north durham health services until the district health council completes its review of the rural health services the new corporation will be expected to establish a rural health services advisory committee of the board we have more information available if you would like additional information about health services restructuring plans in your community please contact the health services restructuring commission you can call tollfree anytime to request an information package at 18885348396 or write to 56 wellesley st west 12th floor toronto ontario m5s 2s3 hsr health services restructuring commission