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WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1980, PAGE 3 Report suggest long-term care role . Ruddy must add beds to keep up with projected population growth in future By S. GREENAWAY Free Press Staff A report released last week by the Dr. J. O. Ruddy General Hospital re-iterated the need for the general hospital facility in Whitby in order to keep up with the projected population growth. Census figures showed that the actual population of the Town of Whitby in Oc- tober, 1980 was 35,359, a figure originally projected for 1985. The report said that development plans point to heavy growth over the next five years adding a potential population of 18,000 people. "Even if only half of the housing units in these developments are built, sold and occupied by 1985, Whit- by's population will have in- creased by about 9,000 people," read the report. "The referal pattern for the last several years in- dicates that about 40 per cent of the residents of Whitby receive their hospital care at the Dr. J. o. ruddy Hospital. The population projection for 1985, with no charge in the referral pattern, will warrent (an addition) bed capacity of 63 beds using 35 beds per thousand as the bed need." The Dr. J. O. Ruddy Hospital is currently operating 65 out of their 100 beds. An earlier report submit- ted by Peat, Marwick and Partners called the hospital an "expensive and un- derutilized" facility, poin- ting out that there is a 70 per cent occupatcy rate for 65 open beds. David Coulson, a partner with Peat, Marwick and Partners, said the firms goal was to change the role of the hospital "with emphasis on long term care and psychiatric services." He also said that the change was urgent for Rud- dy because the services that it delivered were as easily obtained from the Ajax Pickering and Oshawa General Hospitals, the later being located a maximum of 20 minutes from Ruddy. The Ruddy hospital currently provide medical, surgical and pediatric ser- vices as well as a two bed ICU/CCU, and a 24 hour Emergency/Out patient service including laboratory, radiology and physiotherapy. "The people of Whitby have demonstrated, in no uncertain terms, their wish to retain these services," said the recent Ruddy report adding that the recomen- dations for change were met with "vehement op- position". "As a community grows and expands it becomes of equal importance that these ser- vices are easily accessible. In an urban area it is more meaningful to measure distance between two points in terms of how long it takes to get from one to the other rather than how many miles apart they are." The Dr. J.O. Ruddy Hospital is minutes away from most parts of the community" making the service easily accessible. A study, completed in the spring of 1980, carried out by the long-term care/geriatrics task force recommended that an ad- ditional 60 beds be provided in the Durham Region for long-term care, on top of the 42 beds recently opened in Oshawa. "The Doctor J. O. Ruddy is prepared to expand it's role by converting the second floor for the purpose of caring for long-term patients," read the report. The second floor of the hospital has 32 beds and facilities origninally plan- ned to house an obstetrical unit which never came to light due to a policy adopted by the Ministry of Health. The report defines long- term care as "care which is provided on a prolonged basis to meet physical, social and personal needs of patients who have chronic physical impairments". "It encompasses programs and services provided in an institution or at home designed to in- crease or maintain the health and well-being of the individual to his/her maxiumum capacity." While the J.O. Ruddy hospital have not developed any organizational plans un- til the proposai in approved by the Ministry of Health an outline of the organization has been reviewed by the board. The outline contained five elements: 1. Evidence of commit- ment by administration to be expressed by goals, a statement of philosphy of care, procedures for policy development etc. 2. Continuing care comn- mittee to be responsible to L ibrary program On December 29, from 2 to 4 p.m., th eWhitby Public Library will hold a games afternoon. On December 30, the library will show three films for children, starting at 2 p.m. The library wil also present a puppet show on December 31 beginning at 2 p.m. For more information con- tact the library at 668-6541. Kinn - e Jew administration and represented by medical, nursing, therapist and ad- ministration staff. 3. Medical director to be responsible for quality care direction and con- sultation. 4. Staff to include R.N's, R.N.A.'s, orderlies, physiotherapists, speech therapists, occupational therapists, social workers, discharge planner and a CONT'D ON PG. 5 TYPEWRITE.RS REPAIRS & SERVICE ALL MAKES DAN FORTH TYPEWRITER Rentals, Sales & Service 408 Dundas Street West 2940 Danforth'Ave Whitb)y Toronto 666-1131 est0 698-2589 si el HAMMOND ail Romance Series special price for Christmas only Romance 126 e Romance 124XL Romance 125XL Romance 122 Musical fun for the entire family LSLIE'S MUSIC CENTRE 1100 Simcoe N. NZZ~/ 5794239 Open Mon.- Fri. 10-8; Sat.. 10-5 b' 10 - 14 KTe -EARING =i 30% OFF %FF LADIES& GENTS LADIES & GENTS 20 Simcoe St. S. Al Sales Final Oshawa Ont. American Express Chargex 723-7133 Master Charge Store Hours from Dec11th Mon-Fri 9:30 - 9:-00 Sat. 9:30 - 6:00 ST. MARK.S i1 am THE UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA 4 Pm CELEBRATING CANDLELIGHT THE CHRIST EVENT CHRISTMAS SERVICES CHORAL SERVICE O corne, all ye faithful Sunday, December 21st The music of Christmas Corne, let us adore him presented by the St. Mark's Choirs Il pm FAMILY SERVICE Wednesday, December 24th HOLY COMMUNION Christmas, Children and CHRISTMAS EVE contenporr celebraton Candles go together 1 il7,-qqq way fers