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PAGE 2, WEDNESDAY, IULY 2, 1980, WHITBY FREIÉ PRESS Cons ultants urge iclosure of ]Ruddy 's emer genc y department and active beds Ily MICHAEL KNELL Free Press Staff Peat, Marvick and Par- tners still maintain that the best way to fully utilize the facilities of the Dr. J. 0. Ruddy General Hospital is to use as the basis for the redevelopnxent of the Whit- by Psychiatric Hospital despiet the overwhelming objections of town residen- dts and the Ontario Minister of Health. * The consulting firm made that recommendation to the Durham Region District Health Council at its annual meeting last week. * The proposaI has been the subject of local controversy since March when it was fir- st released in a discussion paper prepared for the * hospitals. Peat, Marwick, and Par- tners made the proposai in a hosptial role study preparc-d for the health council at the cost of $50,000. The consultants have repeatedly said that Ruddy is an expensive and un- derutiized facility and that if no change in its role was brought about, it "would mean that an expensive, un- derutilied facility would con- tinue to operate in a com- munity with unmet health needs." Even if this proposal is not accepted, the consultants feel that the emergency department at Ruddy should be closed because there are other hospitals in the area who can provide, that ser- vice. In their final report to the health council, the consults made the following recom- mendation: -the hospital should: "6assume responsibility for the future development of the Whitby psychiatric Hospital as defined in tbýe previous role study and as deteriined by the current mental health services study; -"plan for the redevelop- ment of physical facilities to accomodate approxiniately 110 psychiatric patients; -"plan for future expan- sion of psychiatrie impatient services to approximately 470 beds; -"transfer all active patients to either the Ajax/Pickering or Oshawa General fiospitals; -"4plan for the addition of 50 long terni care beds by 1985 with the subsequent in- creases to 150 beds by 1990 and 200 beds by 1995; -"Phase out is emergency services as soon as possible." The finm originally recommended seven dif- ferent role options froni no change in service to the in- troduction, of both chronic care and psychiatric care services to using it as a basis for the redevelopment of psychiatric hospital. They referred to the latter as their "preferred role. " In their final report, the consultants state that "it would.appear that there is an unique opportunity for the board (of governors of Ruddy Hospital) to assume responsibility for the furture developmnent of the regional psychiatric prograni now provided by the Whitby Psychiatric Hospital. "In s0 doing, the board, with the ministry's ap- proval, should assume ful responsibility for the plan- ning, organizing of J.O. Ruddy facilities for psychiatric progranis. "As mnuch as possible, the physical facilities of J.O. Ruddy should be used for psychiatrie." In a verbal presentation to the annual meeting, David Coulson, a partner with Peat, Marwick and Par- tners, said that their goal was to "change the role of the J.O. Ruddy Hospital with emphasis on long term care and psychiatric services." He also claimed that the change in role was more urgent for Ruddy because e R.dken P.rm - $S TUESDAY ... $25 a Henne Pvm.. . $40 TUESDAY ... $20 the services that it delivers are easily provided by the Ajax Pickering and Oshawa General Hospitals which are no further than 20 minutes away. Underutilization is also, caused by the fact that only 65 beds in the 100 bed facility are open for use and those that are open have only a 70 per cent occupancy rate. "In effect, it is a 40 to 50 bed institution," Coulson said. "It is unfortunate that is not more fully utilized. " He said that the conver- sion to a psychiatric facility would help Ruddy, Durhami Region's newest hospital, "make better use of the resources it has. " Coulson defended his f irm's recommendation that the emergency department be closed by the end of this year saying that such a ser- vice "can be handled by other institutions." REACTION TO PYSCHIATRIC ROLE Reaction to the con- sultant's suggestion that the hospital be used as the basis for the redevelopment of the Whitby Psychiatric Hospital has been negative, in fact, the only . support for this position is coming from the e Zotos Perm . - .$45 TUESDAY. - '2211 0 Wollo Balsam Pern ........$35 TUESDAY..$7 o Schwarzkop Prm . .. $30 TUESDAY ... $15 M O 601 Dundas St. W. Qim64 WHUTBY TOWN PLAZA uMPIc Green Brae Orchards iDurham Rd. N. 5I Myrtie Claremlnt 655-4501 or 655-3217 0I Ca R.R. No. 1 o ASHBURN Mr .0 z - e e - HOURS: Brougham No. 7 Hwvy. 8rookIin WEDAS 8 a.m. - 8 P.m. - SATURDAY: Taunton Rd. 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. SUNDAY: -8 a.m.-.4 p.m. No. 2 Hvvy. Whitby Bringl containers measured in quarts <q. O6 qt. baskets). Plaý,ground provided for children under 12 years aid. consultanting firm. Individuals, community groups, local goverrnefts and the Ontario Minister of Health have flatly rejected theproposal. In a recent statement to the Ontario's legisiature, health minister Dennis Tim- breli rejected Peat, Mar- wick and Partner's recorn- niendation saying that he would authorize no such change in role for Ruddy Hospital. Organizations opposing the move have been: Whit- by Town Council, J.O. Rud- dy's Board of Governors, the Social Planning Council of Oshawa-Whitby and the Whitby Jaycees, to name a few. The hospital bas also received a nuember of letters and a 3,000 name petition supportlng iHa position. At the present, it doms not mem as though the recm- mendation of the flrm wfill rech the Minister of Heath. Howqver, J.O. Ruddy governors bave said that they are prepared to accept an expanded role in the area of chromce, long terkm rehabiitive care. THE NEXT. MOVE The report will now go to the Durham region District Health Council's hospital advisory cornmittee' who will make their own recom- menclations. It will then be up to the health council to make recommendations to the Minister of Health, who has the final word on any change in role for any Ontario Hospital. At the meeting, council chairman Henry Polak told the audience that they have yet to see the report and that this was the first Urne that tbey had been informed of its contents The health council is flot* expected to mnake its recommendations on the report until later in the year. Puppet show Plans have been made to present The Binkley and Doinkel Road Show at Whit- by Public Library and Brooklin Public Library on Monday, July 7, 1980. The show times for these visits are: Whitby Public Library-1 :00 p.m Brooklin Public Libnz'ry- 3: 00 p.m. The Binkley and Doinkel Road Show is an excellent way for children to learn the hazardous produet symbols (flammable, explosive, poison, corrosive). Produc- ts bearing these symbols are the cause of over 3,50S ac- cidents in Canada each year 50 the presentors are sure that alI mothers will want their children to see the show. Bring your children to see those two delightful Mar- tians, Binldey and Doinkel, and the friendly earth dog, Sniffer, as they learn to stay away frorn hazardous products. TU EtSAY UsPERM DAY SCISSOR.S AIL PERMS 1/2 PIRUCE,