Mississauga Musings

This comment was originally shared by "Anonymous" in yesterday's Blog. I am transferring it here to piggyback today's more-complete (15-minute) Google Video on Brampton Council's discussion regarding the Bramptonians for Better Health Care Rally. With thanks to "Anonymous" and the Toronto Sun.

"ANONYMOUS" begins]

Toronto Sun responds to Mississauga Muse's call:

Fixing a hospital nightmare

The Toronto Sun
Sun 06 Jan 2008
Page: O1
Section: Editorial/Opinion
Column: Editorial

On its website, the Brampton Civic Hospital proclaims "What once was just a dream -- is now a reality."

And according to the outspoken group Bramptonians for Better Healthcare, once the doors of the $800-million new hospital swung open just before Halloween the nightmare began.

Doctors operating on the wrong leg of a 72-year-old woman Christmas Day is just the latest reported blunder. Health Minister George Smitherman had already taken control of the hospital and put it back in the government's hands.

Bramptonians for Better Healthcare have been relentless in criticism of the new hospital, demanding improved wait times in the emergency room, more staff at the hospital and more beds opened. That loud cry for help, luckily, has been heard.

Unfortunately, demanding more staff and more open beds in a province with doctor and nurse shortages can't just happen overnight. And reopening old Peel Memorial Hospital is the farthest thing from a solution.

But what's happened at the Brampton hospital has raised numerous questions, including:

- Why is a brand new hospital so dysfunctional that it's being picketed by its community?

- Are the problems in Brampton different than what's happening at other hospitals in the province, or is this residents' group just better at airing the concerns?

- How do we prevent the same debacle at the planned hospital in Vaughan and others in the pipeline?

- Who do concerned patients and residents turn to for help if Ontario's ombudsman doesn't have the mandate to oversee hospitals unless the government does come in and take over, as happened in Brampton?

If you're looking for first steps, that's one. Ombudsman Andre Marin's office should be allowed to investigate hospital complaints. Marin has proven to be strong and effective and the government has been quick to accept his recommendations. Why not expand his role? The Liberals promised openness and accountability -- this would be one big step toward keeping the promise.

If this is a system-wide problem, this government is running out of excuses. Of every provincial tax dollar, 46 cents goes to health care, a whopping $38 billion. That figure has risen 30% since 2003. For hospitals alone, funding has jumped 36% to $17.5 billion since 2003.

There's also the hated health premium we're paying -- although it certainly doesn't seem to be buying us premium service.

Yes, the wheels started falling off the gurney when the Harris government sought to rationalize the system. But the Liberals attempt to buy itself out of the problem isn't working either.

And this hospital arrived under the Liberal watch and it isn't working.

What people who are forced to go to the hospital want is efficient service, the right care, and to get out as quick as possible -- in better shape than when they arrived.

For $17.5 billion, is that too much to ask?

Ombudsman debate to be held in public at region headquarters

Posted 1 day ago

Ontario’s ombudsman and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) will compete Wednesday for the right to probe complaints about secret regional meetings.

As of Jan. 1, a new provincial law allows Ontario residents to request an investigation if they feel a municipality has inappropriately held a meeting in private.

Municipalities can either appoint an investigator or use the services of Ontario ombudsman Andre Marin.

Now, after several weeks of debate and a reversed decision, Niagara regional councillors have arranged for representatives from both sides to speak in a public session Wednesday.

“This way, it will be an informed decision,” said Barb Greenwood, the Niagara Falls regional councillor who set the plan in motion.

“We get to hear from both sides... I think competition is a healthy thing.”

Regional council voted to pay an AMO-sponsored investigator to do the job late last year.

So did municipalities like Thorold and Welland.

Others, like St. Catharines and Fort Erie, chose the ombudsman, who doesn’t charge a fee.

Greenwood brought forward a motion at the end of last year asking council to abandon its decision and get more information.

Councillors voted to do so.

Greenwood said she decided to make the move after hearing the ombudsman speak to Fort Erie councillors.

Representatives from Marin’s office and AMO will address councillors in regional council chambers at 9 a.m. Wednesday.

The issue has at times been fiercely debated.

Marin has said his services are free and citizens should not have to pay if they request an investigation.

The AMO-offered service would require Niagara to pay an annual retainer of $600 and a daily investigation fee of $1,250.

Officials in other municipalities have discussed charging a fee to citizens for complaints deemed frivolous.

Some local politicians have argued Marin’s services aren’t truly free, suggesting taxpayers will foot the bill for a ballooning ombudsman’s budget.

Others worry the ombudsman doesn’t have municipal expertise to match AMO.

[This is COMMENTARY by Don Barber as sent to my email address the_mississauga_muse@yahoo.com. I reproduce it here into this Blog as he requested.

Mr. Barber emailed to set the record straight regarding this portion of my Blog. Signed, The Mississauga Muse]

Mr. Barber writes:

I want to comment on the part: "Actually, this Mississauga Council "protest" happened exactly a week later --December 12, 2007. Don Barber stood up in Mississauga Council Chambers for the first time since his arrest by Mississauga Security on June 7, 2006, "

Add ----when I tried to address City Council about how wrong it was for Council to be considering approving housing at the end of an airport runway - only to discover the removal (without notice) of Open Public Question Period by Mississauga Council. Then, (still trying to play by the rules), I asked for permission to address Council while seeking clarification of the changes that in double speak, Council first said was "eliminated".

Next it is claimed "we haven’t changed it. I want to make it clear. We have not changed the Procedural by-law. The Council has asked me to implement it."

Even though they admit "For the last thirty years", it has been the way that I expected it to be. It should be no wonder that took issue with not only the changes but the bull-roar being used to cover it up Council actions.

I remain firm in the opinion that a trap was set for me that day, to create a conflict & blame it on me, so that I could be grabbed by City security and banned from appearing before Council again in an election year. The circumstances don't pass the smell test.

When I addressed Council in April 2006, I gave the Mayor a bottle of Harvey's Bristol Cream Sherry. That same night the Mayor had a bad traffic accident. Maybe City politicians did not want a repeat of such bad timing --and it is so easy for them to arrange without fear of accountability, ways to remove those who question.

Regarding my deputation --"With respect to (the lack of) a proper complaint process regarding City security"-- and especially the response by Mississauga's Commissioner of Corporate Services, made for one remarkable six minutes of viewing.

About guy who first addressed Public Question Period, when Hazel called out the changed Public Question Period, for items on the agenda. He seemed to know what was going on - I can be seen in last frame off to the left, trying to figure out what going on and to do.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bd4Bh1tjh1I

Don Barber,
Friends of the Cawthra Bush