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Page 10. Whltby Free Press, Wednesday, Maroh 29. 1995 Provincizal.. candidates debate hospital's fate FROM PAGE 1 "Even the people i SOGH say it makes sense to eut down Cosa." But White conceded that there are issues which must bo addressed by the health council, specifically reention of.morne ensting acute care services at Whitby General. In ifs report, the health council states that there is a «ptential» for outpatient. services at Wbitby, but none are speiied out. "It doesn't give a guarantee and people are lookdng for some- thing more than- that," said White. «Before we change the siting of services, we have to address these issues. White conceded that bis over- ail support of the health council studyrnay not ho weil received in Wbitby at the moment, but ho hasÎ no Problern defending hie position. "Difficuit decisions . are not to close hospitais. Difficuit' deci- sions are to maintain servies without increasing coats,» White ciaimed. "On behaif of my community l'i iooking for the beat range oi services," ho said. 'TMe best situation would ho a fuli-service general hospital, but that's not going to happen. So iet's make sure the services pro- vided are the beet posible.» Not surprisingly, Wite's com- menta were not echoed by his politicai foes. «Generally spealdng, I don't support the .recommendations and Fim very. disappointed in the f rocesa that was used,» said Fur- « think the decision was cast in stone prior to, the public con- sultation and the repoàrt lacked sensitivity,» he said. «I see nothing i this report to indicate that these suggestions make any sense and support reention of acute care and orner- gency servce at Wbitby General Furlong dismissed Whites argument that hospitai officiais in Durham overwhelmingly favour a regional system. 'Mhat may ho true, but are you sayin that people have to drive otfthejr way to get health care when we aeady have the structure at Whitby? Why can't it ho uaedr hie asked. * It's not like the other hospi- tais will have the funds to pick up what Whitby's losing.» Furlongsaid Liberal leader Lyn Meo visited Whitby General last year and was im- pressed with the efficiency of hospital staff and administ- ration. He is confident a Liberal government will reject any pro- posato significantly alter the hospital's current function. So, too, would a, Progressive Conservative regime, stressedl J ilerty. "I know (leader) Mike Harris won't support any recommenda- tion that does not have the sup-* potof the community,» ho said. ~esaid that when he was in Whitby.» Flaherty pointed out that Whitby is one of the few centres in Ontario that does not have an aging population and even the health council study acknowl- edetat fact.. Wtha growing poipulation it's obiu that Whitb needs its own hospital,» ho said. Piaymg thÜe devil's advocate, Flaherty attempted to turn Whites arguments for a regional system int a defence of retain- ng acute care services in Wbiby. He ue the example of Osh- ezpand into neaTSyÂlexandra Park to accommodateapooe regnal cancer centrewhe Whitby General is surrounded by acres cf unused land. «Oshawa Generai is now build- ing on parkland and some would say that doesn't make sense,» said Flaherty. «If Drunimond White says we need regional hospitals why not use, what's abready in Vlhitbyr» Conditions ripe for grass fires With the current dry weather, Whutby Pire Chief Tony VanDo- ieweerd is warnin*g residents .to ho careful about settixigfi&m. "This ýis a. dangerous time... eole think they'haeafr un control.but with a good gust of wind, she's gone.7 respondto fivegrasaf&«einthe last three or four.days. Crews tied ,pfiLting the fiîres are délaye or cnt respondto more serlous ocelse s uch as medical ernorgencies or. car accidents, Vnoeweerd notes. 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