Page 16, Whity Free Press, Wednesday, August 10, 1994 Whitby assured of Ilquality' health care By Muke Kowalski Whitby residents have been assured that they will continue to receive 'frst-class'health care s3hould their hospital change its future role. Tho community will not ho left without "accessible, quality» DURHAM RE4GIONAL Police Staff Sergeant Sandy Ryne displays one ýf the guns turned in under the police gun amnesty program that runs until Sept. 1. Some 60 guns and more than 200 rounds of ammunition have been turned in so far. Photo by Mark Reesor. Whilby Free Press health services shouid a proposai to revamp Whitby General -Hos- pitai ho approved by the Ontario government, Jean Achmatowicz insiste. An Ashburn resident, Achrna- towicz is a mnember of the Dur- ham Region District Heaith Council committee which bas been empowered to make recom- mendations on Durham's long- term acute care health care needs. Earlier this year the commit- tee released a discussion paper based on controversial proposais contained in a consultant's report. Aithough it deals with ail six hospitals in Durham *Région, the study's proposais for Whitby Generai have easily sparked the most heated debate in Durham. The consultant bas recommen- ded that the 25-year-oid hospital be converted into a rehabilitation treatment centre serving the entire region. Whitby- patients in. need of generai inedicai services wouid h ave te travel te, hospitals in Oshawa or Ajax if the health council and ulItimateiy, the pro- vinoeadopt the study's findings. "IIÎ not concerned that as a resident of Whitby, we wilho left without quality health care,» said Achmatewicz. «I can assure you that when the steering committee bas con- pleted its work and wo go te the impjlementation staqe, everv con- sicleration (for Whitby) will ho taken inte account,» she said. "WhitbY won't be short- chaned." Achnmatowicz was referring te, fears expressed by manyWhitby residents and docters tt they wili not have the samne access te, hospitai services that people in Oshawa and Ajax now onjoy. ,Athough a Whitby resident, Achmatowicz bas served on the board of directors of Oshawa General Hospital for several years. Since she considers Oshawa General te ho a regional hospital already, an expanded rôle for that facility will adequately meet Whitby's future needs, Achma- towicz said. «I feel confident that services wiil ho available for the peopleof Whitby,» she said. WhZe she understands the community's reluctance to embrace the study proposais -- upeeple have difflculty accepting change" -- Achîatewicz said the committee had few options. "Change is going on around us, not just in Durham Region but the- GTA (Greater Tronto Area),» she said. "The committee looked at the regon as a whole and decided the status quo is not acceptable, we have tochange." In order te preserve «quality health care» while also hing cognizant of a shrinking health care dollar, the committee wan- ted te avoid the problems of other Ontario communities, Ach- matewicz said. «Look around us, we have hos- pitais merging everywhere,» she said. "I think we are fortunate in that we're not closing any hospi- tais in Duram Region.» While supporting its recom- mendations or Witby Generai, Achmatewicz stressed that the study proposais are just that -- proposais-- at this point. The committee, chaired by for- mer Brock Township mayor Alian McPhail, must now' sift through responses te its pro- posaIs which were submitted by rndividuals, organizations and municipal councils throughout Durham Region. Despite the daimis of critics, Achmatewicz denied that the Whitby General -Hospital pro- posai was a foregone conclusion, due to pressure from a finan- cialiy-strap)pedgovernment. «I think we must ho roalistic in Ontario," she said. '-- «'Ontario and Maniteba are the only two provinces, I behieve that haven't mnade radical changes to their health care sys- toms. 'The province of Ontario is moving" carefuliy but change is Athoeugh she deferred com- ment te. the health council on why Whitby was chosen te bouse the rehabilitation centre, Achma- tewicz said it won't happen overnight. 'Mhe study was long overdue and we want to get on the with the job, but it won't ho a speedy process.» Accordingto heaith council executive dieter Lynda Hessey, the committewas' chargod with providing Ugoed quality -health care in a cost-effectiv.e way» with an equitable distribution of resources snd access te those resources, across the region. Essentialiy, Whitby was cho- son for reasons of geography, npopulation growth and iniras- trcture, Hessey said. «W. have three hospitais in close proxim.ity» she exlined. oWhn o oat other parts of the province where hospitals are close, they're looking at reducing services. «We're looking at how we can best provide services." Hessey expects the steering coîmittee's final report te come before the health council this fali. If endorsed by the council, an advisory body te the -health ministry on local health matters, the report goes te the. govern- mient for itq 'rnsideration.» HINALLY!. IMPROVE THE APPEARANCE 0F YOUR SKIN M Unir GLYCOLIC ACID FACIAL TREATMENTS Glycolic Acid Facial Treatments accelerates the removal of the dead outer layer of the skin via a high concentration of glycolic acid. This higher, professional concentration enhances the skin's appearance aud dramatically liproves the resuits obtained with al your home care products. 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