Wednesday, September 27, 2006 · Page 13 Leamington hospital faces possibility of more ER closures BY DANIEL SCHWAB Leamington District Memorial Hospital's emergency room could be closed again in about a month's time according to Chief of Staff Dr. Robert Page. Page said the hospital's trouble finding physicians is continuing and he predicts emergency patients may be directed to other hospitals again in October. Two weekends ago, hospial management closed the R overnight on three sepaate occasions because no hysicians were available, orcing patients to travel to ospitals in Windsor or hatham for medical attention. Page said the hospital has been able to cover shifts for this month so far, but scheduling is still being done on a week-to-week basis. "I wouldn't say patients can anticipate a closure, but there is a strong possibility there will be empty shifts in October," he said. Page said if the hospital recruited three full-time physicians, the short-staffed shifts in the ER would be able to be filled. The closures experienced two weekends ago were the first Page has seen since he began working in 1973. "It's a very multi-issued problem," he said. "There's a very well-recognized lack of ER doctors in the province ... we're getting the trickle down effect." Currently, there are 30 doctors on the active staff at the hospital, about 20 of whom are family physicians. Page says Essex County needs about 100 more family doctors to get up to the provincial standard. "Our problem is not strictly in the ER," Page said. "We also need family doctors to come to the ER. In our ER we see 40 to 50 percent of patients have no family doctor. They come in with a sore throat, looking for health care because they have no place to go." Page said patients looking for treatment in the ER also have to deal with consistent wait-times. The department has one nurse practitioner but without a physician scheduled, the hospital cannot keep the ER open. Page believes the problem stems back to 1992-93 when cutbacks by the provincial decreased government enrollment in medical schools and the training of doctors. Now, Page says 50 percent of the medical staff at Leamington hospital is over 50 years old and most will be retiring in 10 years. "I don't know if there's an influx to take their place," Page said. "I see a lot of trouble on the horizon." Page is putting his faith in the University of Western Ontario's satellite medical school opening in Windsor in 2008 to train young physicians to come to rural areas. It's also the goal of the Physician Recruitment and Retention Committee, a volunteer-based group that works to bring family doctors to Leamington, Essex, Wheatley, Kingsville and Lakeshore. Bill Marck, chief administrative officer for the Town of Leamington, has been a committee member since the group was formed in 2003. The committee primarily works with local service clubs on fundraising to help offset costs used in recruiting out-of-town physicians to the area. Last year, the committee worked with Windsor-Essex County recruiter Joan Mavrinac to bring family practice physician and anesthesiologist Luther Heys to Leamington. to all of her clients from Essex for eight wonderful years. I invite all of you to my new location in Leamington at 26 Regatta Drive. Same great quality care in a relaxed, personalized and quiet environment. Wishing you good health. TALBOT #3 T You hank R.M.T. would like to say, Please call to book your appointment today! DANFORTH AVE. FRASER RD. ROAD 31 ERIE ST. HWY 20 DEANNA BAVETTA Still, Marck says it's not enough. "Sadly, we've been at it for three years and haven't had a super strong response from the community," he said. "We thought after the closure of the ER was announced that people would help out more, especially because more than half of the people don't have a family doctor. The first year we had way more of a response. Now, it's harder to generate funds." Marck cites problems in the local automotive industry as a possible reason for a decrease in fundraising. The committee is holding annual Physician its Recruitment Extravaganza Friday at the Roma Club in Leamington. The event begins at 6 p.m. For more information, call 519-3265761. 26 REGATTA DR. (519) 324-9631 FUSING FITNESS IN LAKESHORE AGES 50 AND UP COME JOIN US! A simple way to maintain good health! WALKING CLUBS: · Old Tec. Road, Russell Woods Area · Lakeview Drive, Belle River Area · Tilbury North Park Stoney Point Area · Pleasant Park, Maidstone Area · Centennial Park, Puce Area Pedometers for all walkers & other exciting challenges Three times weekly starts week of October 2nd for 12 weeks Cost: $10.00 to register includes pedometer FUSING FITNESS: Fitness classes and strength training all conditioned towards your ability and endurance Location: Annunciation Church Hall, Stoney Point Wednesdays 10 am 11 am St Simon and Jude Parish Hall, Belle River Thursdays 9:30 am 10:30 am Starts week of October 2nd Cost: $54.00 18 weeks certified instructor TAI-CHI: = COATS FOR KIDS the annual campaign is now on. Every year a network of community agencies across Windsor-Essex County work together to distribute winter coats to children and families in need. We rely on the community to donate gently used coats to this program. Coats can be dropped off at any participating dry cleaner displaying the Coats for Kids sign, or at Essex Community Services, until Oct 31. Improves balance and circulation, reduces tension, increases strength and flexibility Location: Comber Community Centre Thursdays 6 pm 7:00 pm Stoney Point Annunciation Hall Tuesdays 10 am 11:00 am Woodslee Millen Community Centre - Tuesdays 1 pm 2:00 pm Starts October 3rd Cost: $26.00 8 week session, certified instructor Woman's Health Reporter July 2006 had this to report: Exercise in Midlife Cuts Alzheimer's Risk Later Exercising during midlife can not only keep your heart healthy and your weight down, but can also reduce your risk of Alzheimer's - especially if you are at high risk for the disease. Scientists in the Aging Research Center at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden studied the mental health of nearly 1,500 people, aged 65-79, whose leisure-time activities were periodically monitored for almost 35 years. Older people who exercised at least twice a week, had about a 60 percent lower risk of suffering from dementia and Alzheimer's than more sedentary people. YMCA NEWS Our Fall Program schedule will be out in September. Session 1 classes begin October 2 and go until December 8. Look for Babysitting, Home Alone and Safe, and First Aid classes along with our Karate, Fun N Games, Indoor Soccer, and Basketball classes in Essex. We are also accepting resumes for Program Instructor Positions. Please fax to (519) 776-6852 or mail to 35 Victoria Ave. Essex, ON N8M 1M4 SENIOR HOCKEY CLUB MEN'S AND WOMEN'S RECREATIONAL HOCKEY: Open to all residents of Lakeshore - Location: Lakeshore Arena Starts October 3rd February 15th Tuesdays 11am Cost: $85.00 per person 17 games CONTACT THE MUNICIPAL OFFICE AT 728-2700 EXT 259 TO REGISTER OR GO TO WWW.LAKESHORE.CA In partnership with the Ministry of Health Promotion