22-The Canadian Champion, Tuesday, November 25,1997 i MPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT BUILDING A BETTER HEALTH SYSTEM IN HALTON AND PEEL REGIONS. Why are changes being made? Ontario's health system must change to keep up with peoples' needs. That is why the Ontario Government created an independent, volunteer body called the Health Services Restructuring Commission. We are medical professionals, hospital administrators, academic health science professionals, former hospital board members and other experts. We are making difficult decisions to improve Ontario's health services for present and future generations. We must spend health dollars more effectively. We are not cutting overall health expenditures. We are finding ways to get the best possible health system that our tax dollars can buy. Planning change carefully, one step at a time As a result of a request for submis- sions on March 6, 1997, the Commission received over 80 briefs about the quality of Greater Toronto/905 region's health system. The distinct needs of the community have been carefully addressed. The Commission met with over 40 separate groups or individuals, including local hospitals, other health care providers, labour representatives and community organizations. Feedback invited There is a 30-day response period for interested organizations and individuals to comment on the HSRC recommendations outlined below. The deadline for submissions to the HSRC is December 19, 1997. Enhancing health services in Halton and Peel regions The Commission bas reviewed health services within the context of both the GTA/905 area and the Metropolitan Toronto area. Many GTA/905 residents live along the border of Metro Toronto and are closer geographically to a hospital in Metro than a hospital within their municipal region. The Commission's recommendations include: • The scope and range of services in hospitals in Halton and Peel regions will be enhanced and will offer better co-ordinated care for residents of the regions. All hospitals in Halton and Peel will remain open. Halton/Peel - North Cluster • Georgetown and District Memorial Hospital, Peel Memorial and Etobicoke General will amalgamate to form a.new hospital corporation (North West GTA Hospital Corporation). All three sites will remain open. The new hospital corporation will provide access to emergency services and inpatient services on all three sites. Halton/Peel - South Cluster • Milton District Hospital and Oakville-Trafalgar Memorial Hospital will amalgamate to form a new corporation (East Halton Hospital Corporation). The hospital corporation will provide access to emergency services and inpatient services on both sites. a Credit Valley Hospital and Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital will maintain their separate governance and management. e The Mississauga Hospital and Queensway General Hospital will continue their progress towards amalgamation. More services and care • Recommended investments in rehabilitation services include 50 additional beds to the current 20 in Halton and 110 additional beds to the current 40 in Peel. " Long term care recommendations for investment include 1,173 additional beds in Halton as well as 635 additional places in supportive housing, adult day care and attendant services. For Peel, 1,669 additional long term care beds are recommended as well as 922 additional places in supportive housing, adult day care and attendant services. a One-third of a billion dollars is recommended for new spending in the GTA/905 area's health system - $185 million on services annually and $144 million on one-time construction and equipment. • For Halton region, the HSRC recommends an investment of $40 million in community services and $14 million in construction and equipment. • For Peel region, $76 million is recommended in services and $50 million in construction and equipment. We have more information available. If you would like additional information about health services restructuring plans in your community, please contact the Health Services Restructuring Commission. You can call toll-free any- time to request an information package at 1-888-534-8396, or write to 56 Wellesley St. West, 12th floor, Toronto, Ontario, MSS 2S3. HSRV HEALTH SERVICES RESTRUCTURING COMMISSION