_ Nota lot of extra spending In new health care budget ANY EXTRA operating money the province gave the Terrace and Area Health Council this year isn't enough to restore services cut at Mills Memorial Hos- pital to balance its budget. Tom Novak, brought in by the health ministry to set right the health council's finances, said the $15.3 mil- lion received by the pro- vince (an increase of $886,000 from last year), will simply ensure the health council docsn’1 over- spend again this year. “The [government’s] in- tent was only to ensure we could make it this year,’ Novak said. The extra $886,000 the health council received will be split between Mills, which will get $586,514 and Terraceview Lodge, which | Tom Novak will get $210,012. The remaining $89,000, Novak said, will be set aside for pending employment contracts, Because the health council overspent about $650,000 last year, the lion’s share of which was taken up by Mills, Novak admits the new infusion isn’t much. ‘It’s not a whole bunch of new money because they spent that much last ygaf,’’ he said. ‘‘It’ll balance out things if we operate the Same way this year.”’ To make sure the hospital doesn’t keep overspending, Novak said many budget cuts will be enforced, “Overtime will be tightly controlled and sick time monitored,”' he said. This doesn’t go over well with local doctors who were hoping the government would give the health coun- cil enough money to restore budgct reductions. Budget man now doing double duty in Kitimat THE HEALTH ministry’s financial consultant sent to cure overspending on local health care has been work- ing double time since last “week when he was ap- pointed to solve Kitimat’s own health care problems. ‘The government offered Tom Novak to the Kitimat and Area Health Council to take over as acting chief ex- ecutive officer while Linda Coles takes four months medical leave for knee surgery. But that doesn’t mean his job here is over. “TH stil be watching everyone,” Novak said, He said his appointment was a practical decision that will save the health ministry money. “(Pm here and they’re paying me anyway,” said : Novak, who earns $94,000 a " year’ ‘plus ‘expenses tégard-” less of how many jobs he’s . piven. Novak said he’s used to See Us All Cellular Shades | on Sale New 60*- ~ Custom made to fit ANY shape or size of window. Large selection of fabrics with a wide choice of cell sizes to choose from. @ Your Decor : - Terrace Carpet Centre Ltd. 3202 Munroe St. at Hwy. 16 W, Terrace being given several jobs at any one lime, As acting CEO in Kitimat Novak will address the volatile atmosphere between that community and its health council and will at- tempt ta pet everyone work- ing cohesively together again. , ‘Til still be watch- ing everyone.” Four of Kitimat’s nine health board members resigned last month after constant pressure and crics for them to leave from members of the public. For months citizens, who call themselves the Kitimat Health Watch, have been accusing council . members . of kowtowing: to the iminis- ‘try instead of being accoun- table to the communily. Novak explained people in Today! Kitimat are upset about 2 whole host of things, which he will help them to sort out by keeping them informed of health care decisions. “T’m more interested in the future than the past,’’ he Said, Some key issues he will need to address include the recruitment and maintaining of specialty services, such as an orthopedic surgeon, and alleviating the barrier between medical staff and the health council. Novak said everyone has to start working together —- the hospital and the com- munity as well as hospital staff and the CHC, He adds that all the bospi- lals in the northwest need to start working better together as well, “We don’t build beter ~ hospitals. by compen. with a each other,’”. he said, : Doctor worry that many hospital departments, like the intensive care unit, emergency services and acute care, have been pared down so drastically to save money that patient care is at risk, To get out of the red last year, the hospital had to dip into reserve money, which is rapidly depleting. The health council will discuss budget spending at its next meeting tomorrow. From there, budget recom- mendations must be ap- proved by the health minis- iry. Novak clarified that his salary ~— $94,000 year plus expenses — will not come out of the $886,000 the council receives, **/’m paid for by the min- istry,’? Novak said. ‘‘No- thing I do comes out of this budget,’” Medical Equipment Loan Service We're Here To Help. ae Canadian Red Cross -RRSP SO a rr : The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, june 23 1999- A9 The Office of the Wet’suwet’en invites all persons of Wet’suwet’en descent, and all persons of the Wet? suwet’ en communities to: ‘REVISITING THE PAST...AND PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE” June 30, 1999 - 9:00 am to 4:30 pm July 1, 1999 - 9:00 am to 4:30 pm July 2, 1999 - 9:00 am to 3:00 pm Evening social events will be scheduled _ Location: Tse Kya Gathering Place '. Hagwilget, B.C. (New Hazelton, B.C.) Plan to attend this important conference. 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