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Wheels/Insert Toyota RAV4 has it all Sports/page 11 Eagles anxious for playoffs CLARINGTON'S AWARD-WINNING NEWSPAPER SINCE 1854 Ihe Canabtan Statesman Pressrun 24,150 January 28,2004 • 46 Pages • Optional 3 Week Delivery $5/$l Newsstand durhamregion.com Ives Lakeridge high marks BY DAVID BLUMENFELD Staff writer ; DURHAM -- Patients say they're satisfied with service, especially especially with emergency room waiting times, at Lakeridge Health. > 'That's according to Hospital Report 2003, the latest provincial provincial hospital survey. The report, which was re- ■ leased Monday, paints a positive picture of Lakeridge programs, . services and overall patient satisfaction, satisfaction, but there are some key rareas that still need improve- -ment. ' The report, meant to encour- i.age accountability and identify ; areas of hospital care that need -improvement, was made public ►by tl]e Ministry of Health and 'Long-Term Care and the Ontario Ontario Hospital .Association (OHA). It focused on assessing acute care, emergency-department emergency-department care, complex continuing care and. rehabilitation during 2001 and 2002. "We were very pleased this year with the Lakeridge results," said Brian Lemon, CEO of Lakeridge Lakeridge Health Corporation. "We did compare favourably with hospitals on a provincial' basis...there are a couple of exceptions, exceptions, some financial areas that we know we have taken steps to improve subsequently." > Lakeridge Health scored at or above the provincial average in ' all areas, except coronary angiography, angiography, Which falls under acute care. Lakeridge was judged to have maintained previous previous levels of patient access to this procedure, which involves taking X-rays of a patient's heart chamber or blood vessels, but remained below the provincial average. However, Mr. Lemon said Lakeridge Hëalth is taking steps to correct the situation, citing an agreement signed' with Rouge , Valley Hospital in February of 2003 to develop a Regional Cardiac; Cardiac; System that will advance cardiac care in Durham Region. "It's an area of concern for our residents, and it's a matter of getting systems in place to help access that for freshly diagnosed cardiac patients," he said. He also pointed to LHC's newly implemented Patients First program, a 16-hour training training program designed to enhance enhance staff understanding of the perspectives of patients and families. "Often, it's not the technical care delivered that results in patient patient satisfaction, it's simple human interaction and how they feel 'they're being treated," Mr. Lemon explained. In the area of acute care, Lakeridge Lakeridge scored above the provincial provincial average in its use of information information technology to support clinical decision-making. Also above average in this area was Lakeridge's duration of hospitalization hospitalization for hysterectomy patients. patients. The hospitals also scored above average in three areas of emergency department care: satisfaction satisfaction with physician and treatment, waiting time, and pneumonia treatment. Nevertheless, Nevertheless, Mr. Lemon pointed to an overcrowding issue at the emergency emergency department of Lakeridge Health Oshawa that needs to be resolved. "It was designed for one- third of its current capacity, and that will represent a giant step forward for Durham Region when that (full emergency department) department) comes on stream in about two years' time," he said. Mr. Lemon said Lakeridge Health maintained its financial position, but noted the corporation corporation spent more money than it received in 2001-2002. The cor- i poration's liabilities also outweigh outweigh its assets. Mr. Lemon said steps have been taken to correct the figures. "We're pleased to say it has See LAKERIDGE page 5 Cellphones banned in change rooms Jason Liebregts/ Statesman photo BOWMANVILLE -- Elgin Street neighbours came together to make an outdoor rink for their community. The weather has certainly cooperated with ice-making endeavours, endeavours, and Dawson and Paul Ashton got to try out the new rink on the weekend. BY SHELLEY JORDAN Staff writer CLARINGTON -- New cellphones that take pictures could make people vulnerable to criminal shutterbugs. Visitors to public facilities are being asked by the Municipality Municipality not to bring cellphones or small electronic devices into change rooms and washrooms. Joseph Caruana, director of community services for the Municipality of Clarington, says the policy came into effect soon after the Ontario Recreation Recreation Facilities Association alerted Clarington there was a - potential problem. "It's a group we work with as a part of that service," he said. "There was a possibility of people taking pictures with device's in change rooms." Mr. Caruana says the Municipality Municipality immediately posted alerts at these facilities that such devices Could not be used. "The hope is if kids see someone in the washroom using a cellphone they will be aware enough to. talk to an adult about it," he said. v.. Taking it upon himself to" write the memo to council to create a policy, Mr. Caruana admits there's only so much the Municipality can do to enforce enforce the request. "We can't impose penalties, ; but we can remove them from the building," he said. "It could be a criminal offence, but that's up to the police to decide." Sergeant Paul Malik of Durham Regional Police reinforced reinforced Mr. Caruana's position, saying the Municipality has little, little, power unless they enact a bylaw. Lottery mania boosts good causes BY LESLEY BOVIE Staff writer DURHAM -- It may sound funny, but Trish' Thompson can't remember what kind of car she won three, years ago in the Cash for Cancer Lottery. "I didn't keep it because it wasn't big enough. I havë four children," she explained. "I traded it in at a dealership and upgraded to a van." Needless to say, she's been a faithful ticket holder in the lottery ever since, going in on them with relatives and even purchasing them as gifts. "I just thought it was something something I wanted to support," said Ms. Thompson, of the lot tery, which raises money for the Durham Region Cancer Centre at Lakeridge Health Oshawa. A redevelopment project , leader' at the hospital, Ms. Thompson already has her ticket for this yëar's draw. She's not alone. , Just a few weeks into its fifth run, the Cash for Cancer Lottery has already sold more than 80 per cent of its 86,000 tickets, priced at $100 each. The number of charitable lotteries is steadily growing in Ontario. The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of On- See CASH, page 7 (y ONTARIO'S • SERVICE • PARTS MON., WED., FRI. v 7:30 am - 6:00 pm : TUES. &THURS. 7:30 am - 8 pm SAT. f 9 am - 4 pm ACCREDITED TEST :& REPAIR FACILITY ♦All official murk of the Province of Ontario used under licence. ;* Whitby - Oshawa Honda 1110 DUNDAS. ST. E. WHITBY, LOCAL (90S) 666-1772 honda www.honda1.com Ontario Power Generation welcomes reviews Numerous reports will 'make us better' \ BY KEITH GILLIGAN Staff Writer DURHAM -- Three reviews reviews under way will determine determine the future of Ontario Power Generation and the company welcomes the studies. studies. "We don't have a problem with a review. It makes us a better company," said OPG vice-president Pat McNeil in speaking to the Community Advisory Committee on Tuesday. Tuesday. "I'm an employee and an executive and if the shareholder shareholder requests a review, then golly gee, we have to do a review." review." The reviews include one led by John Manley, the former former federal Liberal finance minister, and Jake Epp, a former former Progressive Conservative federal cabinet minister. They are looking at the future of OPG in the wake of a damning report on the company's performance performance in the restart of four reactors at the Pickering nuclear nuclear station. Provincial Energy Minister Dwight Duncan "asked Mr. Manley and Mr. Epp to come forth with a series of recommendations recommendations on the future of OPG and whether to continue with the rehabilitation of Pickering Pickering (reactors) l, 2 and 3. They're targeting mid-March," Mr. McNeil stated. Mr. Duncan also announced a review in December of the company's mandate and business business plan, with a report due in See REPORT, page 7 Darlington Nuclear Generating Station. 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