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4 - Orono Weekly Times Wednesday, June 17, 2009 SERVICES Continued from front page danger of losing its acute care and emergency services. He spoke to councillors again at the end of March, and reported that the local hospital community was in a better position that it was a few months ago. The local doctors had a very good meeting with Lakeridge Health Chief Executive Officer, Kevin Empey, according to Stone, and were working on a model to create a sustainable system for the ER and intensive care unit at Lakeridge Health Bowmanville. The situation at the local hospital was brought to the fore again in May, when Lakeridge Health issued a news release stating the hospital corporation was committed to keep ER and acute care services at Lakeridge Health Bowmanville. In addition to its ongoing efforts to recruit specialists for the Bowmanville site, Lakeridge Health said it would be using new state-of-the-art video conferencing equipment linking Bowmanville ER physicians to specialists at Oshawa Hospital. "Until Clarington can successfully recruit more specialists and support a full roster, tele-medicine is our best chance of continuing to treat patients safely closer to home," Lakeridge President and CEO Kevin Empey said in the news release. Local doctors did not view video conferencing as a serious solution to the shortage of specialist. Video conferencing was nothing more than a strategy to provide cheaper medical care, not better care, Dr. Stone told the Orono Times in May. "It is critical, we in the Lakeridge Health family work together and not struggle within our own home to find solutions," Dr. Stone said on Monday. The Lakeridge Health Board, management and local doctors agreed unequivocally that Bowmanville Hospital must continue as an acute care site, according to Stone. This includes 24-hour emergency service, onsite internal medicine coverage, general surgical services, and a Special Care Unit to serve more acutely ill patients. Problems at Lakeridge Health stem from under funding from the Ministry of Health, and fair funding is the key as all parties forge ahead Friends of the late June Smith were invited to attend a tree planting in her honour at the Orono Crown Lands on Saturday. Planting the tree were Larry Manders (left) and Paul Jones (right). with this discussion, according to Stone. Dr. Stone thanked council and the community for their support over the past half year, and asked that all citizens of Clarington, services clubs and businesses pledge financial support to the redevelopment plans for Bowmanville Hospital to enlarge the emergency department. Advertise your yard sale with the ORONO WEEKLY TIMES 905-983-5301 oronotimes@rogers.com