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EE ein a tn Sata fata 0s ea GRAN Cet 4 fv J atic Lda PORT PERRY STAR -- Tuesday, June 24, 1986 -- 5 Vi =AY, V4 2 oO A mn Tt by John B. McClelland Readers of the Port Perry Star last week were pro- bably a little perplexed when they read the front page story headlined "C.using Emergency Department not likely at Port Perry." By the time many readers were picking up their paper on Wednesday June 18, the emergency depart- ment at Port Perry was indeed closed. What happened was this. The story that appeared in the Star last week was prepared and written on Mon- day, based on interviews with one doctor in Port Perry and the administrator of the hospital, both of whom said there was no indication that closing the department would be a tactic used here in Port Perry. Last week's edition of the paper went on the prin- ting press at 8:00 a.m. Tuesday morning, the same mor- ning that the doctors in Port Perry held an emergency strategy meeting and voted to withdraw emergency ser- vices as of 8:00 a.m. Wednesday morning. Needless to say that the turn of events was a sur- prise to us at the Star, especially with the story saying the emergency department likely would not be affected. We regret the facts that events happened that over- lapped with printing schedules and deadlines, but this is one of problems in publishing a weekly newspaper. Speaking of the events that took place last week in Ontario with the closing of emergency wards and the on-going withdrawal of medical services in doctors of- fices, I personally think the profession has gone too far and has lots the battle for public opinion. By the time this paper is printed and distributed, I have no idea what the situation will be, but the open wounds that have been THE DOCTORS STRIKE created will take a long time to heal. I say that as a person who supported the Ontario Medical Association's stand against Bill 94, and the ban on extra-billing. As a person whose family has had to make exten- sive use of the medical services in Ontario over the past decade (and I mean extensive) I can't for the life of me figure out why the Government of Canada decided to alter a system that worked well. Our OHIP system (heavily subsidized from the general tax revenues) has saved me countless thousands of dollars in hospital fees. Some of the specialists who have treated members of my family were "opted out," others were not. I did not resent hav- ing to pay an additional fee to those who were "opted out." Believe me, I consider myself most fortunate that my children have been able to get first rate medical care at one of the best hospitals in the world. As for the quality of care my family has received from doctors in Port Perry for more "routine" things like a broken arm, chest infections, respiratory problems, chicken pox and assorted other ailments that most children run into, the service has been excellent. I concede the principal of total equal access to all, regardless of abiiity to pay, but any inequities the Government may have been trying to correct pale by comparison to the problems that Bill 94 has created. Why tamper with a system that may not have been letter perfect (is anything?) but in fact seemed to me to be a workable mix of the "free enterprise medicine' found south of the border and "socialistic medicine" like that in numerous countries both behind and in front of the Iron Curtain? I like the fact that a good percentage of my provin- cial and federal taxes along with my OHIP payments went to operate hospitals and pay most of the icians in this province. But I also had no quarrel with any physician who wanted to work outside the system, bill patients directly, or even bill patients at a rate higher than the OHIP schedule. The physician should be allow- ed to retain that right. I have to agree with the OMA which says that money is not the issue in this bitter dispute. If it was, why didn't all the doctors in Ontario "opt out" years ago and charge an extra ten or fifteen per cent above the OHIP rates? Less than one in five Ontario doctors are "'opted out.' Nevertheless, the militancy that has surfaced as a result of this dispute is alarming, very alarming. Like most other people in this province, I never thought I would see the day when people would be turned away from emergency wards, doctors offices would be shut down, and doctors themselves would go beating on the door of the Legislature in angry protest. But then again, like most other people, including David Peterson, maybe I greatly underestimated the "depth of feeling this issue has aroused in most Ontario physicians. How long will it take for the bitterness to disappear and the wounds to heal over? That's the question the people of Ontario, the government and the medical pro- fession will have to cope with for a long time. Yesterday's Letters Memories 60 YEARS AGO Thursday, June 24, 1926 The Board of Education has announced the location of the new Port Perry schools which will replace the schools which were destroyed by fire. The combined public and high school will be built on the site of the present property bordered by Rosa Street on the east. Miss Marjorie Swane successfully passed the Introductory Pianoforte with honours at recent examinations held in Whitby. Mar- jorie is the student of Mrs. Campbell, Manchester. 35 YEARS AGO | ; Thursday, June 21, 1951 Mr. Jack Brintnell, formerly of Chatham, will soon be taking over the job of Manager of Port Perry Master Feeds from Mr. Robert Lawson, who is being transferred to Owen Sound. A $2,900.00 asphalt floor will soon be poured in the local Arena and Recreation Centre providing a hard surface for the ice and also offering a large building for many other activities such as dancing and carnivals which were formerly held on the street. 25 YEARS AGO Thursday, June 22, 1961 R. Douglas Davison, son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Davison, Nestleton, received his Bachelor of Arts Degree at Waterloo Univer- sity College on May 20. He is now employed by the Federal Govern- ment at the Geographical Branch of the Department of Mine and Technical Surveys, Ottawa. There was much excitment at the farm of Murray Holtby when a glider, piloted by Mr. Frank Wright of Brantford, landed in a recerit- ly mowed hay field on Saturday afternoon. Mr. Wright had hoped to reached Peterborough, that same afternoon. 20 YEARS AGO Thursday, June 23, 1966 Rev. W.C. Smith was guest speaker at the Prince Albert United Church, helping to celebrate one hundred years of the use of the Prince Albert Church building. Reeve and Mrs. J.J. Gibson, Port Perry, Deputy Reeve Irving Boyd, and Reeve and Mrs. Ed. (Sam) Oyler, Reach Township are travelling to Sarnia this week to attend the Annual Conference of the Association of Ontario Mayors and Reeves. The Port Perry Lions Club Bantams started their season by win- ning three games at a tournament held in Peterborough on the week- end. The Port Perry Baseball team was awarded the Championship Trophy and Crest for their efforts with the Most Valuable Player Award going to Gene Hurst of Port Perry. 10 YEARS AGO Wednesday, June 23, 1976 Bob Elliot, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jim Elliot of R.R.4 Port Perry won the national level of the Royal Canadian Legion's literary con- test. Bob and his father will be the guests of the Legion at the na- "tional Remembrance Day ceremonies in Ottawa this fall. Scugog's old arena was spared this week when a list of over 50 arenas were ordered closed. There are some 350 'suspect' arenas in the province that the Labour Ministry will not allow to open in the fall unless they have been certified safe by a professional engineer. During his term in office, Port Perry Kinsmen Club president Lorne Scanlon received the honour of being the first Kinsmen member in Canada to get the Master Kin Award from the National level. : Dear Sir: Just a word in support of our local doctors...fine, capable, dedicated doctors in Port Perry, and not a -word has been said on their behalf. They serve the community well; always ready to listen to patients with health problems, and use their medical skill to restore good health. I can't give the medical profession enough praise. It has been a privilege to be associated with them. Down through the years - moving about - we have had occasion to call many different doctors, and they have been excellent. In my opinion the vast majority of doctors wish to |kuyo says Dear Sir: I would like to say thank you once again to the people of Port Perry. My stay in Canada was most en- joyable. I had a tough time at first from the many cultural differences. But now, the language and lifestyle "are more natural for me. Also, my friends, who make it very hard for me to leave hee. Everywhere in Port Perry, the people have not forgotten how to smile. I can't imagine how much they have helped me, even when I was disappointed. They didn't let me feel I'm Japanese. It was hard to see everything in such a big country, but at least I found Port Perry was a really great town. And especially, I feel, here is "the greatest town for exchange students. I wish you will continue to have exchange students. When I see the things I have done, it is a lot. One of my greatest memories is Port Perry High School, which gave me a great sur- prise at the At Home Night, and Halloween, Christmas, New Year's "Day. There were many dances and lots of rock music at the school. Everything was really interesting and most of them the first time for me. have a first class health care system. I understand almost 80 per- cent of doctors do not extra-bill. I feel their concern is in doing a good job - they are proud of their profes- sion. Go along with Peterson and his colleagues and many splendid medical people will be on the move. They should have freedom of choice - choose for whom they work. Under Bill 94 - the result will be govern- ment control - a bureaucracy - adherence to fixed government rules of authority - a system of ad- ministration by the government marked by officialism and red tape. The government is trying to tell them how to run their business. 'sayonara" But I can't forget there were a lot of people who were always beside me and gave me their hands for sup- port. I shall keep these wonderful memories in my heart forever. I can't go home without saying thank-you to these people. Special thank you to the May family who gave me a big help to move from the last place I stayed. The Fleming family: who gave me a lot of Canadian jokes, and I real- ly loved them. And they also made (Turn fo page 6) A word of support for our doctors David Peterson and his Liberals should have had the courtesy to meet with the doctors (who travell- ed across the Province some weeks ago) and tried to arrive at a com- promise. This controversial dispute is a particularly pertinent issue. I agree with George Ashe M.P.P. Durham West when he said - governments which confront rather than consult are an affront to the democratic process. Re extra-billing - doctors are reasonable and compassionate peo- ple and if those patients who have had extre-billing in other parts of Ontario - had discussed the situation and the hardship it caused with their doctors - I'm sure it would have been adjusted. | Why are the doctors striking? It is not the need for more money. Principle is involved! They wish to run their own lives! How about den- tists, lawyers, teachers, and so forth - would they not strike too - if the government robbed them of their right to live as they see fit? Regardless of what happens it is the fault of the government - not the doctors. Our democracy is threaten- ed and the blame is at the door of our elected representatives! Most sincerely yours, Mabel G. Cawker, Nestleton, Ontario. Letters to the Editor ... our policy It has always been the policy of this newspaper to encourage our readers to make use of the letters to the editor column. Our readers have a right to freely express their opinions and view- points on just about any subject, and we feel that a lively letters column helps make a better community newspaper. We insist, however, that a letter writer sign his or her name. On rare occasions, we will agree to with-hold publication of a letter writer's name, if we feel there are very good reasons to do so. Under no circumstances will this paper print an anonymous letter to the editor. While we enjoy receiving letters from our readers, we must continue to insist on knowing the identity of the writer.