Local Health Teams are Prepared for “Corona Virus” Threat

The public health scare from the virus originating in Wuhan has caused health teams across the world to make sure they are ready to cope if it arrives in their area.  Although it’s an International Health Emergency, so far there are no cases in Northumberland.  However,  the HKPR Health Partners have issued a statement saying that “we have heightened our communication to ensure we continue to share the information and resources needed to protect the public’s health”.  The statement describes what the virus is, what is involved with being prepared, where to get daily updates, the connection with common flu, and what to do if you have recently travelled to Hubei province in China and have symptoms  (Wuhan is the… Read complete articleLocal Health Teams are Prepared for “Corona Virus” Threat

Problems with Wheels Transportation Service

At the Committee of the Whole Council meeting on Monday, two issues were raised by delegations that affected transport for disabled people. One was about a person who needed to go to the Hospital from the Golden Plough Lodge (GPL).  Since it was an emergency, an ambulance provided Transportation but when the patient was discharged, it was no longer an emergency so an ambulance was not available. However, since the 93 year old was on a stretcher, there was no way to get home to the GPL who said they are not mandated to provide this kind of transport. Eventually, after a long wait and a $160.18 charge to a credit card, Voyageur Medical Transportation did the job. The other… Read complete articleProblems with Wheels Transportation Service

Northumberland Ontario Health Team Announced

On June 6, 2019, the Provincial Connecting Care Act came into force.  This governs a complete revision to how Health Care is managed in Ontario. The biggest change for Northumberland will be that the role of LHINs will be much reduced and replaced by Ontario Health Teams (OHTs) which will be overseen by a new agency Ontario Health.  Today, Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health announced the approval of the Northumberland Ontario Health Team.  The idea is that the OHTs will manage and ensure integration of all health services in a geographic area – in this case Northumberland.  Or as MPP David Piccini puts it in a Press Release: “Through an Ontario Health Team, patients will experience easier transitions… Read complete articleNorthumberland Ontario Health Team Announced

Report from Opioid Round Table

In early September this year, Adam Bureau initiated a Round Table discussion to determine what could be done about the opioid crisis.  The intent was that recommendations would then be brought back to Council and he now plans to do just that.  At the November 12 regular Council Meeting, Adam made a Notice of Motion that he would be reporting back at the November 25 Committee of the Whole Meeting.  He provided a number of documents from the Round Table discussion and based on that discussion, recommends actions for Council.  More details are below but in brief, he asks for a community-wide summit in February 2020, an allocation of $10,000 from Town funds and better communication with the Public on… Read complete articleReport from Opioid Round Table

MPP Piccini Announces New Funding for NHH

At an announcement this morning at the Northumberland Hills Hospital (NHH), MPP David Piccini announced $3.79 Million in new annual funding for the Hospital.  The formula has been revised so that this will continue in future years.  Bob Sanderson, Warden Northumberland County said: “By rectifying an historical inequity in hospital funding formulas, the Province is ensuring that the dedicated staff, physicians and volunteers of NHH have the support they need to continue delivering excellent care to local residents.”  NHH CEO Linda Davis was clearly happy with the change and said that “this announcement is a turning point in the evolution of Northumberland Hills Hospital” and  “We know all too well what our priority needs are. We have – until now… Read complete articleMPP Piccini Announces New Funding for NHH

Adam Bureau acts on Opioid crisis

At the Committee of the Whole meeting on Tuesday September 3, Councillor Adam Bureau made a “Notice of Motion” – this means the motion will be considered at the next Council meeting.  The motion asks permission from Council to form a partnership and invite the Cobourg Police Service, the Cobourg Fire Department, Northumberland EMS and representatives from the county, MPP David Piccini and MP Kim Rudd.  They would then hold a round table discussion to come up with suggestions to combat the opioid crisis.  The choice of people is because “this group of people deals with this issue on an almost daily basis and would have first-hand knowledge on recommendations on how to eliminate opioids and other harmful and fatal… Read complete articleAdam Bureau acts on Opioid crisis

Province Increases NHH funds by $1M per year

There have been reports of overcrowding at the Northumberland Hills Hospital.  Even though the Hospital’s capacity is 137 beds, up until now it has only been funded for a base of 96 and through surge funding up to 104.  But in April, there were an average of 121 patients and 118 in May.  With insufficient funding, that meant there was not enough staff or rooms so there were beds in hallways and long wait times.  But today, MPP David Piccini announced that Northumberland Hills Hospital (NHH) will receive an additional $1,003,504 in base funding per year and up to $335,940 in one-time funding.  Hospital CEO Linda Davis said “these new dollars will help prevent us from having to house patients… Read complete articleProvince Increases NHH funds by $1M per year

Keith Oliver Wins Support for Outdoor Fitness Park

For over two years, Keith Oliver has been campaigning for the idea that Cobourg should have an outdoor Fitness Park for seniors.  He was in good form at the Council meeting on Monday night – he prefaced his talk by saying that he wanted to make a good impression so he had his semi-annual haircut for the occasion.  But he has a plan:  he wanted Council support to make an application for a Federal grant for $25,000 under their “New Horizons for Seniors” program – it has a submission deadline of June 21.  The money would go towards the expected cost of approx. $95,000 with the balance coming from fundraising.  He pointed out that the idea was included in the… Read complete articleKeith Oliver Wins Support for Outdoor Fitness Park

County Stops Roundup Use in 2019

At a special County Council meeting on Friday June 7, County Council voted to discontinue the use of Roundup for vegetation control along County road guide rails and within the County Forest, for 2019.  A delegation by Faye McFarlane, Tom Shea, and Bruce Bellaire, Volunteers with Blue Dot Northumberland, made the case that the arguments used to win the Monsanto court case in California apply and that Roundup use should cease.  Staff argued that Health Canada and all pesticide regulators said it was OK but nevertheless deferred a decision to Council.  It seems that scientists don’t all agree – besides it’s become a political hot potato. Most vegetation control currently uses mowers “and other forms of preventive maintenance” so Roundup… Read complete articleCounty Stops Roundup Use in 2019

Ed’s House Fundraising Exceeds Goal

Ed’s House campaign held an event on Wednesday May 22 to announce that they had exceeded their goal and along the way they gave some project details. There were about 150 people at the event including representatives from four Northumberland municipalities: Warden and Alnwick/Haldimand Mayor John Logel, Port Hope’s Mayor Bob Sanderson, Cobourg’s Deputy Mayor Susanne Séguin and Hamilton Mayor Bill Cane.  Between them, their municipalities donated $653K.  Also present (and speaking) was M.P.P. David Piccini – the Province provided $1.2M in capital and $630K operating funds for 6 beds although the building will have an eventual capacity of 10.  The idea was first suggested 2 years ago by Community Care Northumberland.  Gord and Patti Ley were then recruited as… Read complete articleEd’s House Fundraising Exceeds Goal