Health TheReview Wednesday, March 14,1990 — A15 “Hospital takeover rumor accenis meeting 2 by Valorie Lennox The Review A rumored take-over of the Saa- nich Peninsula Hospital by the Greater Victoria Hospital Society brought out defenders March 6. But the rumor isn’t true, said consultant John. Noble, who faced over 100 people in a Victoria Health Project public hearing at = St. Elizabeth Church in Sidney. The usual for hearings at other municipalities has been 15 to 20 people. According to a widespread rumor, the former B-C health and social services deputy minister was coming to Sidney to announce L that the administration of the hos- - pital would be taken over by the Greater Victoria Hospital Society, -which would turn the hospital into an extended care facility. # But Noble said the first he had heard of the rumor was a media = inquiry earlier that day. He was in Sidney to collect public opinion on health care as part of the next phase of the Victoria Health Project, he explained. But he took an informal poll of those at the meeting and found almost all opposed to any take- y over of the local hospital by the Greater Victoria Society. Several people mentioned the rumor while citing the benefits of the locally administered hospital and the need to retain acute care beds on the Peninsula. Noble invited comments on all aspects of health care, and he got them on health care costs, needs and personal responsibility. Cardiovascular stress testing for the elderly, more pediatric care for children, more counselling for youth and native people, and more psychiatric services are needed, residents said. A chiropractor complained that his patients must pay user-fees while those visiting doctors do not pay fees. A doctor said physicians favor user fees for all health services. User fees were advocated by a man who objected to rising health care costs. He thought user-fees would reduce demand on the health system and recover some of the costs. - But a nurse saw things differ ently. She objected to user-fees, recalling line-ups of ill people at a hospital outpatient clinic in Que- bec 20 years ago. People who could not afford medical care usually waited until they were very sick before coming to hospital, she said. Noting the majority of people use most of the medical services they will ever require in the last six months of life, several people sug- gested the concept of living wills be examined by the Victoria Health Project. A living will allows a person to specify, while still in reasonable physical and mental health, that no extraordinary measures be taken to preserve life. as | "Truck load of silk plants." | > ' eo All sizes and shapes.’ E e tropical hanging plants i ° daffodil bushes e fuschia baskets ° tulip bushes = e violet bushes “SIDNEY FLO 2499 Beacon Ave., Sidney, V8L 1X9 656-331 e geraniums e floor plants E - 6" to 6 ft. | IST RAISED HANDS show the crowd's objection to any takeover of fhe Saanich Peninsula Hospital by the Greater Victoria Hospital Society. A doctor noted physicians are advised by legal experts to do everything possible to preserve life. If demand on the medical facil- ities are not curtailed, a two-tier medical system will develop, one man said. A free-enterprise hospital could offer treatment for those able to afford the cost and unwilling to wait for treatment at a public hospital, he suggested. Possible cost-cutting alterna- tives mentioned included more wellness centres” to educate people about health care; better home support services, so people can remain in their homes instead of going into institutions; and the employment of nurse practitioners as an alternative to doctors. A man suggested seniors be able to divert the money now going for school taxes towards hospital funding — however other audi- ence members disagreed, saying the next generation must be edu- REAR ENTRANCE NOW OPEN MACLEODS jo THE HARDY ARE STORE TOM FISHER BRIAN McQUARRIE cated. The opinions collected by Noble will be part of a report, due next month, on new directions for the Victoria Health Project. Open 7 days a week 2488 Beacon Ave. SIDNEY B.C. 656-8611 SALES LEADERS FEBRUARY, 1990 DEL FOY SIDNEY 656-0911 ANN FOERSTER SALTSPRING ISL. 537-5568 Olivers e Supplies 7105B WEST SAANICH RD. BRENTWOOD BAY 652-0524 (DETAILS IN STORE) ©: Come in for a FREE sample of IAMS Pet Food @°- FREE Biscuits with any IAMS Dog Food purchase @° ENTER TO WIN a 6 Month supply of IAMS Dog Food or IAMS Cat Food with purchase of any Pet Food irom March 7 - 17/90.