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9 · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, October 23, 2009 Reader requests public forum about private sector and hospital Continued from page 6 The new hospital is needed, but after reading the open house article, there are some major concerns that need public debate in order to guarantee transparency. While reading the article, I was wondering if I was reading about a hospital or a condo development with great views. I am more concerned about the quality of health care and accessibility to that care than I am about bike paths, walking trails and views. Who is going to pay for all this ambience? My biggest concern is the private beds. According to the article 365 beds will be private which means 85 beds will either be semiprivate or ward beds. At present if you want a private or semi-private room you have to pay extra and most hospitals have few private beds ­ most are ward beds (usually four to a room). Are the new private rooms at the hospital gong to be accessible to the public at no extra charge? I am afraid our new hospital is going to look like a current inpatient addiction treatment hospital where you can have access to a bed almost immediately if you have the money or you have to wait up to six months or more to have access to a government-sponsored bed. The open house sounded great, but with the government's record of health care management, the public needs an open and transparent public debate as soon as possible to answer all our concerns about the new hospital, especially the role of the private sector and the higher number of private beds. I will be contacting Kevin Flynn, MPP and Halton Healthcare Services to request a public forum so all citizens can be assured our tax dollars are being used responsibly at our new hospital and more importantly that the new hospital is not a cash cow for the private sector. KEN ROBERTSON conquer costs ® Combine coverage and DEFINITELY THERE it can also save you money ® Darryl R Demille Ins Agcy Ltd Andrew Heideman, Agent Angelo Gualtieri, Agent Deborah E Bartucci, Agent Stacey Sutherland, Agent Stephen Ostapchuk, Agent Daniel Durst, Agent Follow the Oakville Beaver on Twitter at OakvilleBeaver. P087023CN 08/08 statefarm.ca® Open-Fit y Better Hearing Day g Open-House Open-Fit Open-House p www.montcalmaudiology.com August 20, 2008 October 30th, 2009 They are sleek, discrete, and comfortable to wear they really are hearing aids! Join usus for our August 2008 Open-Fit OpenJoin for our "Better Hearing Day -Fit Open House" on October 30, 2009opportunity to try these great new devices! We deal for an exclusive for an exclusive opportunity to try these great new devices! We deal with all hearing instrument manufacturers and three brands have been selected to to demonstratethis event. with all major major hearing instrument manufacturers and three brands have been selected demonstrate for for this event. Participants will receive a complimentary hearing assessment by our Hearing Instrument Specialist who will identify ifhave a hearing loss Participants will receive a complimentary hearing assessment by our Audiologist who will identify if you you have a hearing loss and determine if you wouldbenefit from amplification. Together you you discuss your specificspecific hearing difficulties and r and determine if you would benefit from amplification. Together will will discuss your hearing difficulties and decide which of the featured products would best suit your individual needs...all with absolutely no obligation! absolutely no obligation! all with If you think you suffer from hearing loss and wonder if hearing aids would help, now is the perfect out! to find out! Take If you think you suffer from hearing loss and wonder if hearing aids would help, now if the perfect time to findtime Take advantage of this great opportunity to enhance your hearing and improve your quality of life! Book your appointment... advantage of this great opportunity to enhance your hearing and improve your quality of life! F PA R E E RK ING Call Today - (905) 339-1397 203 - 627 Lyons Lane Oakville ON L6J 5Z7 EE F R KING R PA