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14-The Canadian Champion, Tuesday, December 10, 2002 'Local doctor asks Milton council for its support of his efforts to start Family Health Network here By RICHARD VIVIAN The Champion The town of Milton may soon be on the lead- ing edge of healthcare services, with the devel- opment of the Family Healtb Network (FI-N). FHNs consist of a group of organized physi- cians and other healtheare providers who work collaboratively to provide medical services to its patient base. Patients at the FHN would each have a regular doctor, but could be assisted by other doctors in the network during after hours or other times of need. AIl medical files would be electronically shared between the network participants, said Dr. Gamet Maley, who's heading up the local FHN effort. "One of the miscon- ceptions that we have are that famnily health networks are enclosed in one place. Essentially, what they are is a virtual group," be told town counicil recently. Incentives in this Dr. Garnet Maley more time with our more intense patients, we can decrease complications due to chronic dis- case." In addition to the doctor's local efforts, he's president of the Halton Medical Society and the Province's physicians' services committee. Dr. Maley made his presentation to council in an effort to, gain its support for a funding appli- cation to the Province. If successful, the applica- tion would sec the FHN receive funding to hire a nurse practitioner. "A nurse practitioner has a différent skill set than a family physician and brings more to the prograin allow us to be more focused on preven- gaine," Dr. Maley said. ion and promotion of wellness. By spending Council threw its unanimous support behind the effort. 1I can eertainly support thîs," said Councillor Barry Lee. Within six months, the necessary doctors are likely to have signed on to launch the FHN, Dr. Maley continued, saymng he's received commit- ment from three of the five doctors needed. "Mis is voluntary for both patients and physi- cians," the doctor added. "If we do develop a- FHN, Milton will be recognized as being at the leading edge of primary care in Ontario." Electronically wiring eaeh doctor's office will lîkely take a couple months afier launching the FH-N. 'Condo manager appears in court A Milton man charged with misappropriating funds from two properties he managed will retumn to Ontario Court (provincial division) in Milton February 6 after making a brief appearance Thursday. John Mallalieu was charged November 8 for allegedly taking $250,000 from reserve funds of the Bronte Pine (235 Bronte St.) antd West Sixteen Mile Creek (318 Laurier Ave.) condominiums over a 1lO-year period. Mr. Mallaieu is charged with two counts of fraud over $5,000 and two counts of theft over $5,000.