PAGE 18, WHITBY FREE PRESS, APRIL 22,1987 Health council has come long way-Achmatowicz By ROXANNE REVELER Durham Region District Health Council will celebrate its 10th an- niversary this year and according to chairman Jean Achmatowicz of Ashburn, the council has come a long way and has much further to go in the future. At a recent press conference Achmatowicz said "No one realizes how much work is done by the Durham Region Health Coun- cil...we are, after all, a group of volunteers." Much of the work of the 18- member council is carried out through the standing committees for emergency health services, executive, long term care, health promotion, hospital advisory and mental health. Members are recruited for their expertise from all parts of Durham Region. The council seeks to ensure that a comprehensive range and number of adult mental health services are available to meet the needs of local residents. Achmatowicz indicated that a mental health study of the region, to be ready this June, will form the foundation of the council's planning until the year 2000. She added the Durham council and two other health councils in Whitby's cath- chment area will play a role in the committee structure "to shape the new psychiatric hospital." Earlier this year, the Ministry of Health announced a redevelopment program for Whitby Psychiatric Hospital over the next seven to 10 years at a cost of some $81 million. The hospital will be completely rebuilt as a 325-bed regional centre for those who cannot be treated in the community. An additional 100 beds are confirmed for psychiatric units in general hospitals within the region.) But it is those patients that can be treated within the community that has the interest of Achmatowicz and the council. One of their high priorities is the High Support Housing Program. In 1985, the Canadian Mental Health Association (Durham Branch) submitted a proposal for high sup- port housing to the district council. This program was intended to fill the gap between psychiatric hospital care and the existing housing programs - which serve those who require a low level of support. Residents would live in home-like settings and take part in a structured program emphasizing lifeskills which would help them to cope in the community. The home-like environment would be co-operative, supportive and transitional, according to Achmatowicz. Residents would be encouraged to participate in daily programs within the house and community and would also share in the running of the house. Recently the program received approval for funding from the Ministry of Health. A one of a kind in Durham, the program will offer residential accommodation for eight to 10 people at a time and 15 to 20 people annually. "The program will be developed over the next year in Oshawa at a site to be determined," said Peggy Ridgeway of the Canadian Mental Health Association. She added that the program will be operated through CMHA/Durham with $215,000,in operating funds and a one-time capital grant of $32,955 from the Ministry of Health. In an ' address, Bill Lewis, Oshawa General Hospital vice president, said his hospital's crisis intervention centre has proved to be highly successful. The crisis in- tervention team started its 24-hour service on a seven day a week basis in June 1985. The team is comprised of four registered nurses, a public health nurse, social worker/co- ordinator and psychiatrist who acts as clinical director. Individuals may be referred to the centre through the emergency department of hospitals or by their family prac- titioner. The key objectives of the team are to provide a comprehensive assessment service to individuals in psycho-social crisis from such problems as substance abuse, at- tempted suicide, personal relation- ships, socio/economic.problems or health-related problems. During last year, the team carried out 2,345 client interviews, with half of them coming from new clients. The Ministry of Health suplies annual operating funds for this service of nearly $250,000. Achmatowicz said the next year will be an exciting one for members of the council, adding such councils do not get enough recognition for their work within the community. She indicated meetings are held the last Thursday of each month and are open to the public to promote "an understanding of the work of council and to keep the public in- formed." Train w histle will stay Despite objections from residents living in the area, train whistles will continue to be heard at the Garden St. (CPR) railroad crossing. Residents in the area had presen- ted a petition to the Town asking that the whistling be stopped. But legal advice to the Town in- dicates that if the whistling is stop- ped and an accident occurs, the Town could be held liable. "If an accident snould occur which might have been prevented by the train blowing its whistle, then the railway -would place a large share of the responsibility on- to the Town because it was preven- ted by bylaw from blowing of the train whistle," says a public works department report. The department also notes that even though short arm gates are to be installed at the crossing, the whistling will continue. Connect to Cali Free 1-800-387-0777 e FUTURES will help you put together the skiffs you need to get a job. *We'll pay you for up to 52 weeks of on-the-job training and work experience. If you commit to your future Ontarno will commit to you. ® Ontario Minister. Hon. Gregory Sorbara Premier, Hon. 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