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By Oksana Buhel Hospital Reallocation Funding Formula which transfers grants from smaller hospi- tals to larger ones is being met with skepticism by Georgetown and District Memorial Hospital board members. The formula, recently released by the Joint Policy and Planning Committee of the Ministry of Health and Ontario Hospital Association, forces hospi- tals with under 100 beds to spend approximately $230 less per patient than a slightly larger hospital can spend on the same patient with the same ailment. This translates into a $270,000 loss of funding for GDMH between 1994-1995. “Tt’s just not fair,” insist- ed GDMH executive direc- tor John Oliver. “It means if you live in a small commu- nity you will not receive the same quality of service than if you were in a larger hospital.” The formula is based on cost per weighted case, which takes into account length of stay, acuity of ill- ness, operations, nursing time, medicine and other factors. Ontario hospitals were funding they would receive. The first two categories covered teaching hospitals, to which the formula allo- Cow “Paddy winners It was a blustery, winter day at Scottsdale Farm where Catarina the cow marked the winning spot for the Open Door’s Cow Paddy draw. The winner of the Panasonic RXDT 101 with CD player went to Catharine Herman from Mississauga. David Wenn, 0! Georgetown, won the second prize of a Sony Walkman. Third prize of an Afghan went to Gail Thompson of Georgetown. Fourth prize, The Greatest Show on Earth tickets, went to Mona Williams of Georgetown. Fifth prize of a child’s bicy- cle helmet went to pores Willson of Georgeto oard, staff and clients of Open Door would like to send many thanks to their corporate sponsor, A.M.J. Campbell Van Lines of Mississauga and C&S Printing of Georgetown. Also thanks were extended to G.S.Television, Bergsma, Ontario Place, and Ollie’s Cycle and Ski Ltd. for supplying the wonderful prizes for our draw. Also, they would like to thank . Scottsdale Farm, Neilsons, Bell Canada, Shoppe and Marketing board for donat- ing materials to help make the draw a great success. The Open Door appreciates the support and would like to extend to all warmest regards for a Happy Christmas sea- son. cates between $3,300 and $3,430 per weighted case. GDMH, which is in the sixth category, will receive $2,300 per weighted case. “Right now we’re spending $2,400 per case,” Oliver explained. He added any amount over the allocated funds will have to be paid by the hospital. “They’re grouping hospi- tals artificially,” Oliver complained. “This formula is saying you must not com- pare hospitals according to standard of care but to their size-level with other hospi- s Although GDMH has 112 Halton Hills This Week, Sunday, December 26, 1999 — Page 5 New hospital funding formula flawed, says Oliver beds, only 76 of them are allocated as acute and new- born beds — beds on which the formula pertains to. The hospital’s 36 chronic care beds are not included in the formula. Oliver and GDMH chair Connell Smith are confident the originators of the formu- la are familiar with its flaws and are working to rectify them. “I hope they will cor- rect the flaw in time,” Oliver said. The formula is still in the recommendation stage and the implementa- tion date is unknown at this To ensure proper atten- tion is brought to the matter, oard members are writing to Dennis Timbrell, president of the Ontario Hospital Association and the Ministry of Health to outline their concerns. “We are not happy with this formula,” Oliver con- cluded. SOOCCE OS WAS $598 1/2 PRICE SOFAS! This. Canadian made country classic features oak accent show woods, a swivel rocker and.a lifetime of comfort. ALL FLOOR STOCK, Le ed LAYAWAYS, CANCELLED ORDE! SCRATCH & DENTS, ONE ONLYs, DISCONTINUED MODELS AND MORE HAVE BEEN MOVED TO THIS. SHOWROOM AND PRICED TO. cet webs Se ONCE A YEAR SALE-A-THON. F( SELECHON AND LOWEST PRI ICES even SHOPS - DON'T MISS OUT. MANY AUTENS ‘ONE OF A KIND! 40 BEDROOMS... Reduced to sell! This complete wall system as shown features rollerglides on all drawers. WAS $2097 os) : PACKAGE DEALS WANNA DEAL? nie on shop for the best deals on room packa( & WING CHAIR COM SINATION , LOVESEAT 199 sale at lowest prices of the year. PUT YOUR FEET UP ..with this recliner sofa. Hundreds on ws wow $GOO -ALL TABLES/CHAIRS ..are priced to sell! Solid oaks, ple Cherry, contemporary & more! Canadian made 6 chair plus table in 1/2 PRICE LEATHERS ALL LEATHER PIECES reduced to clear, including Coja, Palliser, Plydesign... Leather swivels up to OFF! - FAST DELIVERY - FREE LAYAWAYS - EASY PAYMENT PLANS - 100% SATISFACTION ; syersi ONTARIO CHESTERFIELD + ERIE ST. STRATFORD (519) 271-4488 3 LOCATION: WHOLESALERS 725 MAIN ST. E. MILTON (ACROSS FROM COPELAND LUMBER) ‘O SERVE YOU + GUELPH AUTO MALL (519) 763-4477