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News/A5 Saving the day for a young child j ; V C,: ' } l.Vafe-. *=r- ** CLARINGTON'S AWARD-WINNING NEWSPAPER SINCE 1854 Sports/14 Tigercats are moving on Unsterilized equipment put patients at risk Lakeridge Health Oshawa site screening 100 for HIV and hepatitis BY CARLY FOSTER Staff Writer DURHAM - More than 100 patients at Lakeridge Health Oshawa are undergoing testing to determine if they have been exposed to HIV and hepatitis after- unsterilized equipment was used during medical procedures. The equipment, used during colonoscopies and gastrointestinal gastrointestinal scopes, was used on 146 patients between Monday Oct .27 and Thursday Oct. 30, said Françoise Guenette, corporate corporate director of communications communications for Lakeridge Health Corporation. Corporation. Equipment is npriqal- ly washed then sterilized in an automated machine, but in this case the sterilization procedure was not done, said Janice Dusek, chief operating officer of Lakeridge Health Oshawa, adding she does not know how or why it happened. The news has affected patients patients and their families dis gusted, worried and furious. "I will have to live with this nightmare for how many years?" asked an angry Sandra Amaral, whose husband had a colonoscopy last Monday. "I want to make a noise. This is not fair, the way they're doing it, keeping it quiet." The hospital called Mr. Amaral on Sunday and told him to come in to be tested for blood-borne pathogens like HIV and hepatitis. He'll now receive a vaccination against hepatitis A and B and be continuously continuously tested for HIV and Hepatitis C. Susan McLean had a colonoscopy last Thursday and was told yesterday that she must now be tested for six months to a year and must use condoms to have sex with her husband. As well, she cannot share objects like nail clippers and scissors with her family and if she spills her blood anywhere anywhere it must be cleaned up with bleach. "I'm very scared, very upset," she said. "And I'm very nervous about hospitals right now... after this whole SARS See RISK page 7 A.J. G men/ Statesman photo Rare hair to wear on a dare HAMPTON - Crazy Hair Day at Hampton Public School featured some wild 'dos' like Kerri-Lynn Timmins, below, and Ostop Mostowy who were judged to have the craziest hair of all. The event raised about $300 for Breast Cancer research. Health care a concern for Clarington Regional candidates offer a prescription for medical issues BY CARLY FOSTER Staff Writer CLARINGTON-With adequate adequate hospital services always a concern for residents and a recent underserviced doctor designation given to Clarington, Clarington, health is a hot topic here leading up to next week's municipal municipal election. Important health issues include include whether the municipal government should become involved involved in a predominately provincial matter, losing the maternity ward at Lakeridge Health Bowmanville, and recruiting recruiting doctors, say Claring- ton's regional council candidates. candidates. "There are literally 15,000 people with no access to doctors doctors in Clarington," says Jim Schell, who was acclaimed to another term as Wards I and 2 regional councillor and sits on the physician recruitment task force. "That's a lot of people, and with our growth rate, it's only going to get worse. We need to close the gap as soon as we See DRAWING page 7 INDEX Editorial Page 4 Sports 14 Classified 10 GIVE US A CALL General 905-579-4400 Distribution 905-579-4407 General FAX 905-579-2238 Newsroom FAX 905-579-1809 durhams'egâo6D.com •SERVICE • PARTS • NEW & USED SALES & LEASING EXTENDED SERVICE HOURS MON., TUES., THURS..FRI. 7:30 - 6:00 WED.- 7:30-9:00 SAT-9:00-1:00 ACCREDITED TEST & REPAIR FACILITY •An oHlclul murk of the I'rmlme of Ontario used under llieme. Whitby - Oshawa 1110 DUNDAS. ST. E. WHITBY LOCAL (0(15) 666-1772 Honda www.hondn1.com Electricity hikes won't take effect till 2004 BY LESLEY B0VIE Staff Writer . DURHAM - Your electric bill is going up, but it may take a little while. New Liberal Premier Dalton McGuinty announced last week plans to lift the cap on hydro rates for residential and small businesses businesses as part of a strategy to make up for a $5.6 billion deficit left by the outgoing Tory government. government. But John Wiersma, president and chief executive officer of the Veridian Corporation, predicts the government won't be able to do that right away. "The 4.3 cent per kilowatt/hour cap was introduced by legislation. To lift it, the Province will have to introduce more legislation and they will See ADEQUATE page 6 There's a new sheriff Ron Pietroniro/ Statesman photo DURHAM - Lsmise Lywood, wearing the ceremonial dress uniform of the Durham Regional Regional Police Service, stands in front of Air I, prior to a High! over her Ajax public school oil Monday. Lanisc's essay was selected from among live finalists to he Police Chief for a Day. She was sworn in and passed a lie detector test during the day of activities. in the region Grade 5 student becomes police chief for a day BY JESSICA BLACK Co-op Student DURHAM - Move over Kevin McAlpine, 10-year-okl Lanise Lywood of Ajax has been named Durham Regional Police Chief for a Day. The Grade 5 student from Dr. Roberta Bondar Public School was chosen this year's chief for a day after her essay was selected Oct. 23 from hundreds hundreds of submissions. Lanise was among the live finalists who recently presented presented their essays, titled 'What it is like lo be a police officer,' to a volunteer selection committee. committee. "I wrote it because 1 thought it would be a good experience and it would be fun," Lanise explains. "My friends are really really happy about it and proud of me." Lanise will start the day Monday. Nov. 3 with a ride in a police cruiser at 8:30 a.m. from school to police headquarters in Oshawa, where she will be sworn in as chief. Her ceremonial duties will include a tour of the station, an introduction to various police units, n fiight in the Air 1 police helicopter and lunch with the chief and local dignitaries. Along with the day's activities, Lanise will receive a Durham Regional Police Chief's uniform uniform and a gift pack from the police service. Her stint as chief will wind down at 1 p.m. when she returns returns to school. Also, on Nov. 6 Lanise and two guests will be VIPs at the first annual Police Appreciation Appreciation Night at Trafalgar Castle in Whitby, where she will read her winning essay, Lanise is taking her mother and school principal to the event. The school has also recognized recognized Lanise in an assembly where she wore her chief's uniform uniform and was presented with a principal's award. COWAN PONTIAC BUICK GMC 166 King St. E. ion/ suburban sur 4X4 Bowmanville 905-623-3396 B2S: Prices are plus taxes, license, administration fee 2000 CHEV TRACKER 4 DR. 4X4 2000 GMC JUSVIMP 4 PR. 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