PAGE 2, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 1980, WHITBY FREE PRESS Continued from page 1.... Use Ruddy as base for WP considered as well as capital and operating cost con- siderations. Decisions regarding the future role of this institution will be made by the board (of the hospital) in conjunction with the District Health Council and the Ministry of Health. "The analysis of role op- tions for the J.O. Ruddy Hospital is not intended to be comprehensive or in-depth." In its conclusions on the role of the hospital, the con- sultants strongly suggest that "consideration be given to a change in the role of this facility." "Although several role changes have been con- sidered for this hospital as discussed in previous sec- tions of this paper, we believe that the greatest op- portunity exists in one option in particular. "It would appear that there is a unique opportunity for the board of the hospital to assume responsibility for the future development of the regional psychiatric program now provided by the Whitby Psychiatric Hospital. In so doing, the board, with the ministry's approval, could assume full responsibility for the plan- ning, organizing and management of the current facility as well as the con- version of J.O. Ruddy psychiatric programs. The consultants believe that this suggestion has many advantages to Ruddy. The board of the hospital could take over both the in St. Andrews Society of Oshawa Presents Direct from Scotland Hector Nicol Scotland's Top Comedian & Club Entertainer with all star cast Appearing at O'Neil Colleglate And in Oshawa 8 p.m. April 24th 1980 Tickets are $6.00 for res. cal1 723-0734 ART WRIGHT INSURANCE 101 SImcoe St. N. Oshawa Also appearing at Massey Hall April 26, 1980 for tickets call 438-1979 or 725-0734. ....Consultants say this is best k1w.-E0 e and out patient programs presently operated by the Ministry of Health. This would make the mental in- stitution more subject to the needs of the community (in this case Durham Region). They also say that the planning for the redevelop- ment of the physical facilities could be taken over by the board and that it could ensure that out- patient/outreach. programs are developed on a regional basis. "Control of the Whitby Psychiatric Hospital could be transfered to the J.O. Ruddy Hospital from the Ministry of Health," the report says. Should this occur, the con- sultants say that "as a result of this redefinition of role, the J.O. Ruddy Hospital could assume a new role in the provision of mental health services." "As the community of Whitby growns in the much longer term (10-20 years), it may be appropriate for this facility to provide limited ambulatory programs in ac- tive treatment and perhaps emergency services with holding beds for obser- vation of patients. This need would be determined at a later date." HEATH COUNCIL'S POSITION The chairman of the Durham Region District Health Council was quick to remind members of the press at a conference last Monday that the report prepared by Peat, Marwick and Partners is only a discussion paper designed to stimulate dialogue between the hospitals, the council and the public. Henry Polak said that the report is the basis of a final set of recommendations that the council will make to the Minister of Health sometime this fall. He also said that the final report of the consultants is due before the council's an- nual meeting in June. "The comments on the various hospitals are strictly those of the consultants," Polak said. "They deal with the role of the hospital now and over a period of time." Polak, a member of the council since its inception three years ago, said that KUNETSKY REACTS "I think its a lot of baloney that they are proposing," was John Kunetsky's reac- tion to the discussion paper. "Utterly ridiculous." Kunetsky, the ad- ministrator of the Ruddy Hospital, said ithat the proposals from Peat and Marwick are contrary to the facility's mandate. "We have a mandate from the people in the com- munity to provide medical, surgical and emergency treatment," he said. Kunetsky also attacked Hiexpansion this type of study has never the consultant's charge that been done in the region the hospital was under before. utilized saying that both the "There has never been a second floor and the ob study of the roles of stetrical unit were closed hospitals and how they in- because the ministry or teract with each other," he dered it due ta a lack of fun said. ding. Polak admitted that "the It was the Ministry of most serious suggestion in Health's decision to close th the context of hospital role is obstetrical unit in 1970,"'he that the Dr. J.O. Ruddy said. "They gave permission Hospital here in Whitby be ta build an obstetricat unit used as the base for the but we were denied per redevelopment of the mission Io open it". psychiatric hospital," Kunetsky said that his although he did add that facilities offer an excellent there was no comment in the level of service. report or by the council that "We're running a firs the hospital was class hospital here," hesaid "inadequate." Changing Oie hospital' "It is not being utilized ta rote would be unfair ta the its full potential," he did people of Whitby, Kunetsky say, however. claimed. Because the Whitby "People have contribute Facility is the newest in the money and worked to get region, Polak said that it is general hospital," he said. not as established as the Ttere was one suggestior other six and it is possible in Oie paper that Kunetsky that people go to them said would be acceptable t< because they believe the Oie hospital and doctors are there. Oie area of chronic care an He even said that doctors rehabiitation programs. tend to practise where they "Tis is Oie raie that w4 have all available resources could find quite accep at hand. "Patients go t e table," he said. "Patentsgo t the The reason for this accep hospital their doctors tance is Kunetsky's admit operate out of," he said. tance Oiat "Oie hospital i In a suggestion of his own, not fully utilized." Polak said that the hospital Because of this tack of use could be used to relieve Oie hospital "becames ar overcrowding at the Ajax- expensive one ta aperate." Pickering Hospital or to WiOi Oie introduction o provide a chronic care cen- clronic care anc tre. thre i hrtg f rehabilitation facitities tht "There is a shortage of "cost of operating coud chronic care beds in the spread over more patient region." per day", making th Nick Peters, executive hospital more cost efficient director of the council, said he said. that the "funding is As for turning Oe hospita available" if the hospital's into Oie base for th boardehoosesto follow any of redevetopment of Oie Whil Oiese routes.the Phspitri aHstia n uy y ioji &% Ruddy's board taking it over, Kunetskywas quick to say that it was "Totally unacceptable." However, nothing can or will be done until the con- sultants final ' report is finished sometime in June and at that time the council will debate on what, if anything, to recommend to the minister of health. Polak said that the recommendations will not be the decision of the council alone saying that he wants input from the hospitals and the public as well. In fact, the council's decisions will need the ap- proval of the individual hospital board. "All suggestions in the paper require the approval of the individual hospital board," he said. "Changing the role of the Dr. J.O. Rud- dy Hospital would also require the approval of the minister." The report has been tabled and it appears as though the hospitals and the public are in for a wait before any final recommendations are made. Time for fitness is time on Your Side. OFFICE SPACE For Rent Good Downtown Location $160. /month CALL 668-5053 9-5 t e d - t f e ,e n it - it ;t . s e y d a ýn ýy o ,n ýd ýe ts I, le e- sd