Consider This (https://consider-this.ca/tag/health/)
Ontario Health Coalition board member Sara LaBelle gives a passionate rebuttal to the provincial government’s proposed changes to the health care system. Beyond the arguments against privatization and a stern warning against the new powers included in the legislation, LaBelle delivers a warning to Northumberland residents about potential changes locally. She provides steps residents can take to make their views known, as well. Continue Reading →
Community Health Care Northumberland Executive Director Duff Sprague remains cautiously optimistic as the Ontario government’s proposed changes to the health care system unfold. He is proud of the work already taking place between the various service providers, but there is still more work to be done. He hopes a recent meeting with health minister Christine Elliott in Northumberland will help make the region a potential choice for a pilot program for the government. Continue Reading →
The hospital continues to operate over capacity, placing stresses on its ability to deal with patients in the emergency room, Northumberland Hills Hospital Executive Director Linda Davis says. In an interview with Consider This Northumberland, she said the hospital currently fills 135 per cent of its beds, meaning it has one-third more people than the hospital can afford to operate. While it has received an additional $250,000 in funding from the Ontario government to open four more beds, it is not enough, Davis said, but the hospital works hard to ensure nobody is without care. In a series of candid answers, Davis outlined the challenges and successes of the hospital as it prepares for the proposed changes announced by the provincial government recently. She addresses directly complaints raised in the local news media about hallway medicine. Continue Reading →
A two-tiered health care is one of several things necessary to repair what is wrong, says Stephen Skyvington, author of a new book titled This May Hurt a Bit: reinventing Canada’s health care system. In an interview with Consider This Northumberland, Skyvington gives his critique of the Ontario government’s recent proposals to overhaul the province’s system, as well as dissecting the Canada Health Care Act. He goes on to provide his 10 fixes as recommendations to those in charge as to what can be done to change things right now. Continue Reading →
Cobourg mom Kristen Ellison is an outspoken critic of a proposal from the Ontario government to fund 23,000 autistic children on waiting lists currently. Her eight-year-old son, Carter, already receives funding to help cover the approximately $90,000 annual costs for support services. Families will be eligible for up to $20,000 a year for children under 6 — up to a lifetime maximum of $140,000. Children older than that can access up to $5,000 a year up to age 18, to a lifetime maximum of $55,000. The changes are slated to begin on April 1. Continue Reading →
Young men in Northumberland County may be taking greater risks to their health, a public health official said Friday. Karen Taylor, a public health nurse with the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit, said young men are more likely to experiment with drugs, drink too much alcohol, not eat properly, smoke or vape and other behaviours not conducive to a healthy lifestyle. Young men are also more likely to suffer serious injuries from risky behaviours like speeding or participating in extreme sports or activities. Older men tend to avoid visiting doctors, also not eat healthily, do not get regular exercise, smoke and overconsume alcohol, and generally do not look after themselves, she added. This was all part of an interview about Movember, an international organization aimed at raising awareness around men’s physical and mental health. Continue Reading →
Premier Doug Ford and the Progressive Conservative government terminated the Basic Income program started by the Liberals during the summer session at Queen’s Park. The pilot program was meant to last one year, but it is cut short, leaving the recipients stranded. In response, the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit wrote a letter urging the government to change its mind. Public Health nurse Kristina Nairn talks about the impact of the changes on the people and public health, along with the contents of the letter on Consider This Live, part of the Drive Time on Northumberland 89.7 FM. Continue Reading →
Mary Catherine Masciangelo, Director of Finance and Corporate Services, for the Haliburton, Kawartha and Pine Ridge District Health Unit provides insight into the recent budget concern discussed at Northumberland County Council and how the lobby efforts led to an increase in basic funding from the provincial government following four years without additional money during an interview on Consider This Live, part of the Drive Time on Northumberland 89.7 FM Continue Reading →
Northumberland Community Health Services Executive Director Duff Sprague discusses the unique services and approaches his organization uses to provide care to those who face chronic illness and other challenges due to low incomes, mental health issues, addictions, youth or are seniors on Consider This Live, part of the Drive Time on Northumberland 89.7 FM. Continue Reading →
In this special edition of Consider This Live, Northumberland Hills Hospital CEO Linda Davis and board member Pam Wente discuss community partnerships and the strategic plan on Consider This Live, part of the Drive Time on Northumberland 89.7 FM. Continue Reading →