By DIANNE CORNISH Financial constraints and an in- president of the Ontario Hospital eter ome said last week in Georgetow: Speaking at ee annual meeting of the Georgetown and District Memorial Hospital at the North Halton Golf and Country Club, the former Ontario health Minister told a group of about 40 people, “Ontario’s health care system is at a crossroads.” Rising costs and growing demands in health care continue to present challenges to hospitals faced with reduced funding from the government, he said. As a result, hospitals have been forced to adopt their own set of three R’s, namely, ‘reorganization, , refocus- ing. and restructuring,” "Timbrell said. While stressing that downsizing and capping of health care costs isn’t ‘‘anything new’’, having been part of the scene since the 1970's, changed ii in response to fiscal im- peratives. He mentioned Georgetown hospital’s recent introduction of a enables more patients requiring routine surgery to be admitted and discharged on the same day. Timbrell also commended the local hospital board for its Tecent board meetings have become the norm across Ontario,” he said, adding that it’s important that such a step be taken ‘‘so the public can see we have nothing to hide.’” “Reform and redirection rns longterm health care is a top pri ty”’ with the current Ontario aah ernment, Timbrell said. While acknowledging that change is needed in this area, he charged that proposals being put forward by the NDP “have not been fully thought through.”’ In an interview following his speech, he elaborated, saying the government report makes ‘‘no mention of chronic care hospitals” and is characterized — — in his view jas?” tional care, stress community- based health support programs which will enable people to live in- dependently in their homes for as long as possible before hospitaliza- tion or entry into a nursing home. Timbrell told Halton Hills This Week that the proposals are ‘‘one- sided”? and the OHA recognizes the pes for a balance’’ which woul mix of community- based a Seat is and hospital-based health care services to fully meet the needs of people in Ontario. Earlier in the evening while speaking at the annual meeting, Timbrell pledged: ‘‘The OHA is committed to change that does not compromise quality of care.’’ He later hinted that while some of the proposals, like additional pil aly for district health sources (for example, staff) to fulfill their new mandate.”” When asked about the asia ty of a breakdown of Ontario: Hospital Insurance Plan (OHIP) 2 a result of fiscal pressures, Timbrell said ‘‘reports of the impending ” death of medicare have been great- ly exaggerated.”” Changes in its makeup are inevitable, he added, “but the Canadian people will never let medicare die. Halton Hills’ This Week, Wednesday, July 1, 1992, Page:5 Hospitals must change with the times says OHA president Ontario Hospital Association president and former health minister Den- nis Timbrell (standing) addresses the annual meeting of Georgetown and District Memorial Hospital last Thursday. Looking on are the hospital’s executive director John Timbrell also predicted that the future in Ontario’s health care scene will include ‘‘fewer hospitals, fewer employees, more out-patient services, and more community- based agencies (in health care).”” He said Ontario “‘will continue to provide the Lae health care system in the w The former health minister be- er, far left, and the retiring chairman of the hospital’s board of directors Graeme Goebelle. Ree president of the OHA 10 ments, it carries out bargaining is a cen: tional programs for hospital personnel. Fireworks - What Low hazard fireworks for recrea- tional use, often called family fireworks, may be sold to persons 18 years of age or over for their own use and enjoyment provided /she bears bility for their safe use. Family fireworks include fireworks, showers, foun- tains, golden rain, lawn lights, pin- wheels, roman candles, volcanoes and sparklers. “Firecrackers” on the other Municipality, nor are they allowed to be discharged, fired or set off. Firecrackers constitute a unique hazard. The market for firecrackers iss primarily directed at children they are not ven aware of the inherent hazards. Hi their use has caused extensive pro- perty damage and severe - occa- sionally fatal - eee The setting off of family fireworks is restricted to Victoria Day and Dominion Day and the two days immediately preceding and following these designated holidays. An adult may hold a display of family fireworks on any Sawdust blaze Acton firefighters worked for almost an hour to extinguish a blaze in the sawdust collection system at a Main St., Acton busi- damage to the building housing the pallet-making compan: Burning truck Acton firefighters found that an Helena Rd. ae Highway 25 at 8:45 p.m., Saturday to investigate the mystery ind found a truck stuck in the mud, burning. The fire was quickly extinguished and police are now investigating where the truck came from, a fire official said. No cause for the blaze nor damage estimate was available at press time. is law? land belonging to him/her or any other privately owned land where the owner has given permission. The main risk associated with approved family fireworks is from ere. The away from all buildings, ae POLICE BEAT Candy Taken Approximately $50 worth of candy was removed from the con- cession booth at Hornby Park sometime Thursday night. Police believe the culprit may have entered the booth using a key. A refrigera- ee Nt knocked over and the n. Police are continuing tha Sivesligation ‘Truck Found : biles and other addition, the SHAHUTACIUTEr’s s instructions for safe’ use, enjoy- ment and disposal must always be oe ed. additional information on fieperee their safe use and enjoy- ment, contact the Halton Hills Fire Department, Fire Prevention Division at 873-2600 Ext. 207. RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL Driveways Foundations = Oil Spot Treatment Free Estimates BOXED MEAT FROZEN FOOD & yoo Nit oe Burgers Py, nee sy 00 {DO ork cy 88 a “ons chicken | wings Shriny' We? 10 S. Beware Stea dog Chicken Breasts BB'Q HEADQUARTERS 877-0721 Delrex & Guelph Sts. A truck containing computer supplies was found abandoned with the wheels removed south of Georgetown Sunday. According to police, an officer on patrol found the truck parked on an unmarked laneway at the intersection of 10 Sideroad and the Tenth Line. In- side the officer found ‘‘numerous boxes of computer equipment’’. The truck was later reported stoken Toronto Police are continuing their investigation. Lawnmower Lifted A red Yardman lawnmower 0 Georgetown residence sometime last week. The machine was taken from a shed at the rear of the residence. Window Smashed A pair of plate glass windows worth an estimated $5 ere smashed at Guelph St., Georgetown restaurant sometime Sunday night. Police found several “palm-sized’” rocks inside the restaurant. G PORTICIPAL' wB ° Make your move. © Curio Cabinets © Hall Trees © Paintings hardwood s © Beveled oat an © Mirrored back | © Four glass shelves Lighted interior © Roll Top Desks © Collectors Cabinets THIS WEEK’S FEATURE Curved End Picture Frame Collector’s Cabinet Brittany Seah ee pecan veneers and selected wo side entry doors with curved glass I VISIT OUR BEAUTIFUL (| NEW SHOWROOM FOR THE AREA’S BEST ‘f) SELECTION OF i © Grandfather’s Clocks CLOCKS & CURIOS 2%; 5 MILL ST. 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