4 — Sunday, April 27, 1997 — North Shcre News Community health centres to From page 1 The board’s birth came after the 1991 report referred to by Hutchinson. It looked at health care in B.C. and determined that there was a great deal of duplication and waste. It determined that more power to run health facilities should be in local hands. A government program titled New Directions paved the way. for a number of regional health boards and community health councils, including the North Shore Health Board. Eventually the 23-member board was put in charge of hiring a CEO and developing a plan for $160 million in health ministry spending for a regicn stretching from Deep Cove to Lions Bay. The choice of Inge Schamborzki as the region’s chief executive officer in - January 1996 was the first public spat for a board that ad been lauded for its ability to move forward. Schamborzki’s _appoint- ment met with static from local physicians, who were already upset that they did nor get a board sear. They wanted then Lions Gate Hospital CEO Bob Smith to win the health board CEO post. Schamborzki had worked closely with the North Shore Health Board in her position as transition officer and chair- man of the North Shore Health Regionalization Com- mittee, which made recom- -mendations on who would be ‘appointed to the health board. When asked at the time if the CEO selection process was fair, Smith replied. “It’s better I just refrain from ... I won't. make any more com- ment.” After that, Schamborzki and the board proceeded to take over a number of health organizations on the North Shore: including Lions Gate Hospital and North Shore Home Support. However, in the summer of 1996, when the govern- ment made a controversial decision not to go ahead with elections for health board positions, Health Minister Joy MacPhail stopped the process and started a review. That put the provincial and local regionalization process on hold. With a November announcement MacPhail dis- carded New Directions and brought in the Better Teamwork, Better Care model. Little changed on the North Shore although the board was shaved to 15 appointed members and the government relented to the doctors’ demand for a board seat. The board restarted plans to amalgamate with North Shore health agencies. The North Shore’s $10- million public health agency, North Shore Health, has yet to amalgamate with the board. It is expected to do so in May. Funding for many other health organizations will be funneled through the North Shore Health Region, but the region won't be involved in their operations. Those orga- nizations include a number of private facilities such as Beacon Hill Lodge, Inglewood Lodge and the Canadian Mental Health Association. The addition of the Ministry for Children and Families has added to the complexity of the amalgams- tion task. The government has not decided whether some services, such as drug and alcohol abuse agencies and services, will fall under the new ministry or the Heaith Ministry. Whether such services will be added to the health region mix remains uncertain. While talk of amalgama- tions continues, the board recently announced plans to Start streamlining services. Hutchinson said three new community health centres on the North Shore -- one in West Vancouver, one in cen- tral North Vancouver and one east of the Seymour River — will improve access to health care on the North Shore. The centres will offer a comprehensive range of coor- dinated heaith promotion, ill- ness prevention, rehabilitation and community support ser- vices. They won’t be mini-hespi- tals, but they are expected to decrease the load on Lions Gate Hospital. Recently, as Schamborzki has moved to. streamline administrative positions throughout the region, vocal fallout has followed. When she dismissed hospi- tal chief operating officer Lynette Best in a cost-cutting move nearly three weeks ago, the hospital's doctors, nurses and other staff were outraged. Doctors didn’t support Schamborzki’s appointment in the first place and were See Bureaucracy page § Make your next move an informed one. Get the results you deserve... i? | Please give me a call! E afer: rent “You'll be on my service!” 926-6233 Remax Masters Realty #200-1455 Bellevue West Vancouver ORCHID SHOW Open to the Public Free Admission Thousands of Planis for Sale The renowned Foundation of Taiwan Sugar Association Are pleased to introduce their World Famous Phalaenopsis Orchid for the first time to the Canadian Public. HoTeEt VANCOUVER 200 w. coorvia The Vancouver Island Room Hours- May 2 Friday 10am - 6 pm May 3 Saturday Sam - 5 pm May 4 Sunday Sam - 4 pm North Vancouver has something to say. 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