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ewV ee eee? V4 © Ov wy VEX eve SOOO Oe es > PPS The Corporation of the town of MIDLAND 1975-1976 Midland Town Council Moreland Lynn, Reeve; Mrs. C. Dion, Deputy-Reeve: Sam J. Ancio, Councillor; William R. Orr, Councillor; Miles Blackhurst, Councillor; Fred Jeffery, Councillor. Seated: Wm. A. Hack, Clerk-Treasurer; Harold Boyd, Mayor 5 is pleased to support the HURONIA Farewell to St. Andrew's--saluteto H.D.H. Hlonotrable Sirs: Mr. Cooper: Guests of the Head Table and Friends! I deem this a particular honour to have been asked to present the toast in farewell to the old - St Andrew's and salute the new - Huronia District Hospital. In order to do justice to such a toast, il 'S necessary for me to take a few moments in review of the past to signify this oceasion I was fearful of getting carried away with all the events of the ~past 70 years, of which over 40 have been an intregal part of my life. So 1 tabulated all the highlights of each suc- cessive year and_ laid them all out in front of me - surprisingly enough it revealed to mea series ol repelilions and trends that are present even today. Back in 1903, when Midtand and Penetanguishene had a combined population of approximately 1500, a hoard Was formed representative of both communities to plan the construction of a hospital to serve them. There were thriving industries, humerous accidents, epidemics of Typhoid lever acule illnesses and a need for aseptic conditions and equipment lo perform -- surgery beyond the use of the kitchen table. Sunnyside Hill was the area chosen, accessible to both-communities, and in Feb, 1905 a 12 bed - 3 storey building was opened al a cost of $6700 called the Midland Penetanguishene General and Marine Hospital. The first' baby born was one year later - Chris Foster still very active in this area. Almost from the beginning bed shortages oecurred and constant changes were made to accommodate more patients In 1910 Penetang opened its;own hospital and the Midland General and "Marine Hospital carried on with the constant cry for more beds and better facilities On May 2, 1914 Mr James Playfair offered as a gift the beautiful Manley Chew home on Bay Street to be used as a hospital with one stipulation that it be called St. Andrew's in memory of his birthplace, St. Andrews-By-The-Sea, A scenic view from the window Scotland. A hospital inspector outlined the necessary changes and on Nov. 23, 1918 the first patient admitted was Mrs. MeGill who under the xuidance of Dr. Johnston gave birth to a baby girl - called Andrena. The first boy born was about one month later Andrew Lavigne. The 1918 Flu Was raging al the time the hospital was ready for use and only the 'clean cases' were admitted to St \ndrew's. 'Two nurses. Mrs. Clarkson and Mrs Magee stayed al the old hospital and carried on ill it closed its doors Amas Eve 1918 Plans were laid im- mediately to construct a hew wing - opened in 1922 now 42 beds. The verandah along the south end was glassed in to accommodate the in- creased demand for beds during the summer. The Nurses Kesidence was presented as' a_ gift, completely furnished by Mrs. James Playfair opened in 1925. The dormitories on the third floor of the hospital were then used as classrooms, Superintendent's -- quar ters and storage. The continued bed shortage and need for improved facilities continued till in 1938 the West wing was added with Obstetrical and Nursery facilities on the second floor: Private rooms on the main floor and a new boiler room in the basement with a hand fed stoker (most of the time) and one of the duties of the night staff of nurses was to fill the stoker before morning Our bed capacity was now 50 From 1912 on Miss Emma Baker was the Superintendent of the hospital - a position which Was all encompassing in every aspect of hospital administration including the School of Nursing. It was only because of the dedication of this frugal woman that St. Andrew's continued to function throughout those depression years com pletely deficit free. To relate the story of this remarkable woman, tilled "The Florence Nightingale of Midland', would be much too time consuming for not only her constant devotion and . Morley compassion in the care of the sick but her teaching, gkuidance,. moral example, ingenuily and energy demanded and gained the respect of all who had the privilege of working with her. She resigned July 1, 1942 after 30 years of continuous service and in Feb. 1945 St. Andrew's experienced its first financial deficit, The School of Nursing closed in 1946 - 115 nurses in all had graduated from St. Andrew's. Dedicated nurses like Mrs. Jean (Vannahill) Rice; Miss Jean tlolt; Miss L Thomas; Miss M. thilditeh: Mrs. Bundy; and Miss Mary Ingham as Superintendents, all contributed a portion of their lives and talents to the operation of St Andrew's The Medical Staff haye always been a vital part of the hospital and given of their time to teach the nurses all through the Nursing School years and even today. To see Dr. Harvie and his wife here tonight brings back a tremendous thrust of nostalgia, The war years brought niany changes and after the war niedicine went ahead in leaps and bounds; those miracle drugs; more modern equipment resulted in continuous rise in Costs in spite of the fact that we still made all our own supplies and disposables were unheard of. With the close of the school and adoption of 8 hr duty for nurses i 1946, an acule shortage of nurses was experiencedd - furthei increased costs of operation - till in 1948 dedicated woman who had served as volunteei nursing aides became employees of the hospital and many of these women served for many years as a vital part of the staff. Karly ambulation of patients was a boon to the nursing care load which began in the late '40's- crank gatch frames were also a 'godsend' - in facet all the things-thal we take for granted today were miracles to us in the past The Ambulance Service in Midland was operated by A. Barrie and Sons, Funeral Directors till 1931 and during this time you never knew whether the patient was coming or going when you saw the ambulance, Then the hospital pur- chased ils own am- bulance - a glorified fish Wagon - operated by the Gardener Del Parsons and the Orderley Lackie Calder who in 1937 were reprimanded by the Board for driving too fast - probably all of 35 miles an hour - I know because | have been in that am- bulance with patients, The first dietitian employed was Miss Imlah (1944). Bed shortages and financial restraints created unsurmountable problems for the Board and Administrative staff - Gordon MeLean who was engaged as office manager and Accountant in 1948 took over the business administrative duties in 1953-54 to lighten the tremendous load from Miss Ingham Plans for expansion had been in the wind since 1944 and were finally made in 1951. The 'Town agreed lo sell debentures for $250,000 which the hospital repaid in full by 1967 - the people of this town and surrounding area formed a citizen's committee which gave full support and contract was let to Ro Timms Construction and Engineering. Kilchener, Nov. 1954 for $604,414: IL Was an uphill struggle with change orders and cul backs to stay within the budget, the results of which have been a source of concern ever since. Men like the late Dr Koss Parrott, a mémber of the Board since 1927 and Chairman from 1948 to 1955. along with the members of the Board devoted untold hours of their time to this project. The hospital opened with over 50 beds Noy. 30, 1955. Mr. Ku. Pinehin, Chairman of the Board and Mr Andrew Davidson, Administrator, Miss Ingham, Director of Nursing. The Lab. was established in 1953 and Ked Cross Ilood Tran- sfusion service started in 1960. The Physiotherapy Department opened in 1955. The Playfair and Knima Baker wings were renovated and opened Oct. 1956 - now 105 beds The Hospital Insurance Plan was in its infaney and Mr. Pinchin and Mr Moss met with them to determine what hap they could give to St. Andrew's but by 1957 St. Andrew' s suffered a - financial crisis. The Playfair Wing was Closed - staff laid off - un appeal was made to the remaining staff for Support - the deficit was $80,000 and at least $40,000 was required to keep the doors of the hospital open. Private donations: Service clubs; © The Medical Staff; and Councils all rallied to the need and by Jan. 20, 1958 a public meeting was held in the Civie Auditorium with 350 inferested citizens present - an all new Board was formed with Mr. Gordon Moss as Chairman, Ou Jan, I, 1959 Hospitalization became effective and it seemed the answer to the financial nightmares hospitals were -- ex- periencing - vow they must operate by strict budget. The demand for beds increased under the Plan until in 1960 the average patient days went as high as 100 - Waiting priorities "were established and once ap ain (he Administrative head- aches were unreal Mr. Alex Craig was appointed Administrator in 1957 and Mrs. Jean Sutton appointed Director of Nursing in 1960 - itis vather ironi¢ in that since her marriage to Wellington (Bud) Baker just-a week ago thal Miss kinma Baker opened St. Andrew's and Mrs. Jean Baker will more than likely close it. By 1967 OHSC were consulted re a new addition. Architects were engaged (Sonimerville: MeMurrick and Oxley) - plans to demolish the original St. Andrew's and add to the new part were drawn up. However the Ministry scrapped the plans in consideration of a Regional or District Hospital and advised us to seek land and prepare to build a new trospital. Land was purchased in Tiny Township 24.25 acres inall and the cost of constructing the hospital was estimated at 6 million dollars. Mr. Craig resigned and on May 1, 1971 Mr. E.T. Pritchard 'Cont'd on p. 6 Best Wishes HOSPITAL Hea as, As Mayor of Midland, it has been my pleasure to be of service to the community during the period of development of the new Huronia District Hospital. The hospital will provide facilities for the quality and scope of medical service that this area has needed. For many, the opening of the Huronia District Hospital is the culmination of a decade long dream. That dream is now a beautiful, physical reality. It is a tribute to those who had the vision to bring the dream to a reality. As Mayor, | extend my personal wishes, and those of Council, to the new hospital, and express the confidence that the staff will make this Yours sincerely, Mayor Harold Boyd. new facility an asset to the area in which we will all be proud to share. The J. Stevens and Son Company Limited 2050 Kipling Avenue, Rexdale Ontario M9OW 5M4 (416) 745-1200 STEVENS is] Physicians and hospital supplies We delight in sharing with the Midland Community the excitement in opening your new Hospital. Our Best Wishes Eschman- Canada Ltd. Toronto Ontario Best wishes on your opening. McMURRICH & OXLEY Architects 70 THE ESPLANADE TORONTO, M5E 1R2 The Best Wishes to Huronia District Hospital From Port McNicoll Village of lists and * Page 10, Wednesday, October 27, 1976