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Nurses' group speaks out Dear Editor: The following letter was sent to Mr. Allan McLean, MPP: We nurses, of the Huronia Chapter of the Registered Nurses' Association, feel we must respond to your column '"'MPP Reports", which appeared in the Orillia Packet and The Midland Times, earlier this month. In your column, you cited a study which was published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. You referred to two examples of how consumers abuse the provincial medical system. The examples you gave were about the man with the "mild cough" and the teenager with her "first pimple', requesting care from their family doctor. No mention was made about the other misuses such as unnecessary use of the Emergency Department by some doctors who ask their patients to go to the hospital for care which is not an emergency. We agree with your statement that Ontarians have rights to health care and that it should be accessible to all, even for those who are on low or fixed incomes. The Canadian Nurses' Association, supported by the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario have made their position very clear in regards to cost effective alternatives which we would like to clearly present and relate them to the special conditions within your constituency. We believe that extra billing automatically divides consumers into "haves' and "have nots", penalizing the low income groups of our population We believe that user fees and extra billing are {wo aspects of health care delivery which are not only eroding the entire system, bul create financial barriers to proper health care for low income families If these are allowed to remain as part of our health care system, the charges to patients will increase, as they have in the past, 0 a point where the whole system will be too expensive to exist. We are talking now, not only in terms of Ontario, but of what is happening all across Canada. In August, the Orillia Packet reported that nearly half of all general practitioners in the Orillia area and all of the specialists in der- miatology, obstetrics, gynecology, urology and opthamology were opted out. We are sure you are aware of the demographical stafistics in your constituency relating to the high number of elderly citizens and the low income per capila level that exists. We urge your governinent to forbid extra billing and user fees. We also urge the general public to challenge their doctors when they declare their intention to extra bill. As an alternative to bringing more money into the system through extra billing and user fees, we recommend the more effective utilization of nurses in the lealth care system. R.N.A.O. discourages the unnecessary use Of costly acute hospital services. We emphasize health promotion and illness prevention. Some specific examples of better utilization of nurses and other health professionals relate to We're glad you asked! Jim Lynn Funeral Director WHY AM TL AFRAID TO TALK ABOUT DEATH? You should know first that your fears are common ones which lave been fostered for many centuries. Until recent years the subject has been taboo and "swept under the rug" until it affects us per- sonally. Only recently has there been substantial scientific research on the subject. We don't talk about death because we fear it and we know so little about it. In the interest of mental health, such feelings need to be changed. Public education, based 01 our new psychologica! and inedical data, offer us our greatest help. These educational helps are becoming more and Ore available to us. The librarian (and we) can recommend some very fine books written about death-and-dying ; thanatology courses are offered in many schools; many churches now offer classes and discussion groups on the subject. Here al our funeral home, we can arrange a tour of the facilities and an explanation of our services for you and your friends. We can also be your personal consultants to answer some of your concerns about death. F Goma: Lajas chuneral Homes Midland 526-6551 Elmvale 322-2732 hospitalization of the ill and institutionalization of the elderly and disabled, which are fast becoming a way of life today--and one which is becoming inore and more costly. Increasing numbers of elderly will soon have instiututions bulging at their seams. R.N.A.O. believes an alternative would be to maintain the elderly in their own homes. A visiting nurse (0 assure medications are taken and life functions are maintained would be affordable by the elderly if the nurse were insurable. The high cost of institutionalization would be drastically reduced by delaying or avoiding entry to hospital or nursing homes. The elderly would also be en- sured a longer, independent life style. The establishment of community health centres, where nurses would be the first point of entry to the health care system, and where patients could receive health promotion counselling, as well as having medications administered, would reduce the time and costs of physicians. Screening could also take place and reduce the number of admissions to hospital. We hold that the high costs of health care are caused by the existing funding system. Restructuring of the current system, allowing for reallocation of funds, is vital. Maintenance of the current structure can only cause an escalation of costs to a level which is too high to maintain quality care for all Canadians. We are making sound suggestions for a prac- ticable alternative to our present system. We are asking you and your colleagues at Queen's Park to consider our alternatives to the present system of health care in Ontario. Sincerely. The Execuuve on Behalf of the Huronia Chapter of the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario Seminar was well attended Dear Editor: The tenants of Simcoe County and Simcoe Legal Services Clinic would like to thank you for your public service advertising provided by you for our recent tenants' seminar held Nov. 15, in Midland. tenants are now more informed than they were previously. Yours very truly, Barbara Spencer, Community Legal Worker, Two speakers exceeded limit Two of the speakers before Midland town council on Monday exceeded the 10 minute speaking limit. William Ogilvie, when told his time was up, continued long enough to finish his - few remaining sentences. The other overlong speaker, Art Argue, went well past the 10 minute mark, without any Objection or com- ment from any member of council. Town Christmas party for 250 At least 230 people are expected to attend the Town of Midland's Christmas party, this Friday. The town ex- pects that 250, as in past The seminar was well attended and, partly due 10 your assistance, many Midland and area BONUS GIFTS £3 DRAW PRIZES BONUS GIFIS Mountainview Mall Only You ll receive this easy-listening Stereo Record or Cassette, especially selected for our customers, FREE when you open a Savings or Chequing account with a deposit of $100. or more. (Limit 1 per person) Deposit $500. or more Open a Savings or Chequing account and you'll receive our "Only the Best" album PLUS a Phillips wall mount Air Ecologtzer. (Deposit must remain for min. 90 days .. . limit 1 per person) PLUS every $100. deposit gives you an entry to that week's draw and the Grand Prize. Liaison Simcoe County Tenants' Association years, will appear. eee 15 Weekly Draws! 30 Prizes Mountainview Mall & Prizes Downtown Midland You could win one of two Citizen AM/FM Stereo Radio/ Cassette Recorder and Telephone sets Each week to Feb. 4'84, there will be a separate contest. 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(Complete details on entry ballots.) the municipa Savings .& lGeat cCarporaion & ic eal a cl 248 King St. 526-4296 Mon.-Thurs. 9:00 - 5:00 9:00 - 6:00 9:00 - 12:00