cesgaermeay oa: Docs tackle MLA’s facts An open letter to Helmut Giesbrecht, MIA Skeena Dear Sir: We would like to comment on Some of the many mis- leading “facts” expressed recently by Mr, Giesbeecht tegarding Mills Memorial Hospital. * Mr. Giesbrecht says Mills Memorial Hospital is being waned “0 aineently than other hospitals in the province. € acknowledge this but, we feel stro i be treated differently, nely that it should Along with other rural hospitals we are being under- funded, MMH is also the referral base for mare specialist services than any other hospital north of Prince George and, receives no funding credit for this. * According to Mr. Giesbrecht’s health ministry figures 41.7 per cent of patients from our local health area are sent lo other hospitals in B.C, This figure includes patients who must be referred out for services that have to be provided in a large tertiary hos- pital (cg. heart surgery), and also those that fall ill whilst out of the area that could otherwise have been treated here, The doctors of Terrace have worked hard for years to in- crease the range of specialist services offered at MMH to reduce the number required to travel out of town. This idea began years before this government's much touted “Closer to Home’? policy, Uniike Mr. Giesbrecht, the doctors want to improve on these services, reduce the appalling figure of 41.7 per cent and reduce the costs to patients, * MMH funding has increased by 6 per cent over the last four years. ‘How true! Unfortunately, in the same period of time in- flation has easily exceeded this figure, and hospilal costs have increased by 15 per cent. In real terms funding has erastically decreased which is why there's a budget short- all, * The increased funding includes the operating costs for the CT scanner, Despite the fact that this region raised the entire cost of purchasing and installing the CT Scanner, the government has seen fit only to fund 75 per cent of its operating costs, * Regarding potential loss of specialisis, Mr. Giesbrecht says physicians and others choose to create fear on what might or might not occur, We feel the proposed cutbacks may well resull in a reduction in specialist services and will curtail the future recruitment of other hospital-based specialist services, Perhaps Mr. Giesbrecht should take heed of the mistakes made by the Minister of Health himself, Paul Ramsey, at Prince George Regional Hospital which resulted in an ex- Picture a bad choice Dear Sir; My husband and I were appalled by your Feb, 7 choice of the front page photo and the comments be- hind it. I don't see any com- edy in this photo alall. It was shocking to find yourself staring at a colour picture of a man pointing a £un ata woman. In this day and age when women are fighting so hard to stop violence against women, you plaster such a violent scene on your front page. “There is not only concern about how some men think they can treat women, but children I’m sure took at the paper as well, We have a 5 year old who, on occasions, likes to look through a newspaper. What is he most attracted to? Pic- tures, not the story behind them! I was thankful I reached for the paper before he did, A child’s first impression is almost never forgotten. Put yourself in a child’s shoes and look through their eyes as they first look at this photo. Whal do you see? Be more careful. Look through everyone’s eyes, not just you own, Consider how someone would feel at first glance. ; First impressions count in my book and the impression you left on me this past paper, was one of in- sensitivity toward women and children. Add insult and embarrassmeul among most men and you may have yourself a disrespected paper. 4 Bosch multi-port fuel injection system uses twin- aperture spray injectors to enhance efficiency and Tammy Terry, Seth McLean, reduce emissions, Terrace, B.C. a | CORRESPONDENCE FOR THE TERRACE STANDARD The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, February 14, 1996 - A7 * Utilization rates than the average in B.C. Also true - the question is why? Increased costs are well recognized in rural areas (in- creased industrial trauma, socio-economic problems, vast travel distances to name but a few) so that areas such as ours will never reach parity with those of the lower main- land without the quality of care falling below that which is acceptable to the public. Dr. G.M. Appleton, BCMA Skeena Representative, Chairman, BCMA Rural Physician Committee, Dr. L.P.S. Lin, President, Terrace & District Medical Association in planning the all-new Elantra, Hyundai designers and engineers never lost sight of their goal: To create an automobile without compromise, The result is a car of exceptional style, performance, comfort and durability. Accelerated Thinking Improves Your Performance. Thanks to the very latest in engine technology, Elantra’s 1.8-litre Beta engine produces 130 HP and [6.9 ky, m of torque. That's more horsepower than Corolla, Escort, Civic and Saturn. Four valves per cylinder, a sophisticated combustion chamber and MacPherson strut suspension is usec up front, and a sophisticated dualink clesign is fittecl in the rear. Elantra combines front an‘! rear stabilizer bars, as well as anti-cive, anti-lift suspension geometry, for a highly precise and confictent clrive. Pacihc Northern Gas Lid. 5 YEAR/100,000 KM WARRANTY! NOTICE OF 24 HOUR ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE! ANNUAL MEETING focludles: « feel delivery service * (lat tire changing * lock-out service * towing service The Annual Meeting of * t8ce Dealer For Details The Mail Bag odus of specialists and the resultant farce of flying in, at great cost, orthopedic surgeons from the lower mainland, * Dr. Jim Dunfield (Chief of Medical Staff MMH) has predicted that more specialists will be coming to Terrace, True, and in keeping with our efforts to provide more services locally to avoid the necessity and cost of patient — travel, However, the proposed new spccialists will have minimal impact on hospital bed utilization. per thousands population are -higher THE + LUNG ASSOCIATION the elegant new Elantra wagon lealures best-in-class cargo volume, a standard roof rack, clouble-folding 60/40 rear seat, and a rear window wiper/washer. And the GLS wagon comes standard with our advanced four-speed automatic transmission and CFC-free, ozone friendly air conclitioning, commiltee BC school [EXCSTA automatic transmission, power windows, power door locks, power side mirrors and cruise control. Plus, if you need the extra room and conve- nience of a station wagon, you're in luck, Because and amalge districts, to save $30 million a year. - School District Amalgamation and Restructuring A Public Education Restructuring Consultation (PERC) is reviewing proposals for restructuring imating many of the proyince’s 75 school Committee menibers — represetitatives (rom the Ministry of Education, the BC School Trustees Association, and districts — are holding. public presentations to receive input from school boards, teachers, parents and — community members, The commiltee’s findings will ~ guide the government's decision on this important issue. Ar Caledonia Secondary, 3605 Munroe Street, Terrace Saturday, February 24 1-4 pm / 6:30-9 pm Wednesday, March 6 You can alse attend sessions in other areas, For a schedule, contact the PERC office. ea sessions have been scheduled for: 1-4 pm / 6:30-9 pm IMPORTANT: Individuals or groups interested in inaking a presentation must register by calling PERC at 604-734-4220, one week in advance, Only wrilten sub- missions will be included in the formal record — they may be submitted directly to PERC before March (7, RUB IGRER UE TION a RESTRAUETUANIE Consultation Co-Chaited by BC. School Trustees Association and the Minisly of Education Introducing The All-New ELANTRA Sedan and Wagon. Elantra’s sleek exterior Is your first hint that this is, indeed, one very special car. And Elantra’s interior leads the competition in almost every key dimension of roominess, While every Elantra comes with speed-sensitive power steering, an ETR AM/FM stereo cassette system and a 60/40 split fold-down rear seat, the GLS provides additional comfort and convenience in the form of standard features like a 4-speed electronically controlled Accelerated Thinking Puts Your Family’s Safety First. Elantra’s safety features include dual airbags (standard on GLS), side impact protection that meets 1997 safety standards and front/rear energy-absorbing crumple zones. A state-of-the art 4-channel anti-lock braking system (ABS) is available, Along with being a well-cesigned and well | built car, Elantra is also a well-backed car with ssc-) one of the best warranties in the business, ; Plus, for added assurance, every new Hyundai Elantra comes with a3 year 24-Hour Roadside Assistance Program. . ‘Test drive the new Elantra today and see» how far accelerated thinking can take you, Accelerated Thinking. GP HYUNDAI Shareholders of Pacific Northern Gas Ltd, will be heid in the Garibaidi Room af the Four Seasons Hote! in the Cily of Vancouver, British “ Golumbia, on Wednesday, April 24, 199 at. 10:30 am, : K.L. Wharton Assistant Secretary’ Vancouver, BG, February 2, 1996 3026 Hwy 16, Terrace Thornhill Motors The Dealer Who Cares Dealer # 7041 635-7286