2 3 - Weduesdas, Marein 22, 1984 - Nurti tuore News LGH OFFICIALS ASK VICTORIA TO REVIEW OPERATION Funding shortage may force closure of hospital beds LIONS GATE Hospital has invited the provincial Ministry of Health to review its operation in an attempt to increase funding for the facility. Hospital president Robert Smith said a team from the ministry is scheduled to review various aspects of LGH operation in May to ascertain whether the hospital is receiving equitable funding for the services it is offering or whether the operation cf those services will have to be adjusted or cut. **We are having to take a hard look at how we are doing things.”* Smith said, adding that govern- ment funding is not adequately reflecting some of the programs being offered by the hospital. Hospital administration, he said, would also be discussing the possi- bility of providing some of its cur- rent services on a fee basis or cut- ting those services altogether. The estimated budget earmarked for the 734-bed hospital in 1989-90 is $71 million compared with the current $68 million. But Smith estimated LGH would still need an additional ‘couple of million’’ next year toa support its current operation. The ‘unding squeeze will mean that 44 surgical beds. most of which are used for gynecological patiens, will be closed following the $2.5 million, four-month upgrade of the hospital's labor and delivery areas, which will take place from June to September. The area will be used as the maternity ward during the overhaul, but will not reopen fol- lowing its corapletion, at least dur- ing the balance of the 1988-89 fiscal year. Smith said the closure could be Permanent. The hospital will also close 64 beds from March 23 to April 3. Of those, 37 are surgical beds that are normally closed during the Easter break when the demand for elective surgery drops, but the re- maining 27, (15 general beds and 12 gynecological) wili close because the hospital is unable to find enough part-lime nurses to cover the vacant positions resuiting from staff vacations. Smith said the chronic shortage of registered nurses ‘tis a big prob- lem.”* LGH, which is currently running at between 90 and 92 per cent ca- pacity, traditionally closes hospital beds for approximately 10 days during spring break, for 24% mon- ths during the summer and for another 10 days at Christinas HOSPITAL president Robert Smith ...nced ‘ta couple of imil- tion’ nore dollars for 1989-90. because of reduced demand, to save money and to allow for staff NEWS photo Mike Wakefield NORTH SHORE NEWS publisher Peter Speck is interviewed by Shaw Cable’s On Location show host Art Jones about the history of the News. The North Shore Newsis celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. The interview with Speck airs Friday, March 24 at 9:30 p.m.; Sunday, March 26 at 7:30 p.m.; and Tuesday, March 28 at 8:30 p.m. on Shaw Cable 4. GROUP TARGETS HIGHRISES Residents rally to preserve L. Lonsdale community DETERMINED Lower Lonsdale residents rallied together at a ‘‘citizen’s forum’’ Sunday afternoon to discuss the ran- dom construction of highrises which they say threatens the way of life in one of the oldest parts of North Vancouver City. “T love this community. It is beautiful here because of the varie- ty of people with various incomes and different ages. We go to the shops and we know each other,” said Winnie Fung, who lives at 208 East Third St. “*My concerns are about afford- able housing because most of the highrises going up are expensive and many of us can't afford them. But we have a community plan and we must speak out now,’’ Fung said. Fung was one of more than 70 residents who gave up a sunny Sunday afternacn to ask questions and express concerns about legal development in Lower Lonsdale which does not conform to the By ANNA MARIE DANGELO Contributing Ariter community plan. The two-hour meeting held at North Shore Neighbourhood House was organized by the Citi- zen’s Action Group of Lower Lonsdale (CAGLL.) “We want your ideas and direc- tion and we wil! gather this infor- mation which city council will use and react to,’’ said Jim Ramsay, CAGLL president. ‘‘} think the area has a fantastic potential if de- veloped correctly."* Ramsay said there was a ground swell of concerns and complaints which began after the ‘‘out of scale’’ highrise slated for the St. Alice Hotel site was announced by Cressey Development Corp. The 28-storey tower to be con- structed at 120 West Second St. will obstruct some views, cast shadows on property and possibly increase traffic congestion in the area. Ramsay noted the proposed 24- storey tower to replace the Olym- pic Hotel at 140 East Second St. also represented ‘‘hodgepodge’’ development permitted by the city. The random highrise construc- tion in Lower Lonsdale is associated with zoning which restricts population density but not building height. C-1 zoning in- stituted in 1967 overrides the 1980 community plan which limits buildings to six levels. “We have a community plan with no teeth,’ said Frank Sunderland who resides at 145 St. Georges Ave. ‘‘We want amend- ment of the (zoning) bylaw. Everyone knows there is going to be plenty of growth. We just want action from council and we don’t want indiscriminate development.’ Ald. Bill Bell said he agreed with speakers that it took political will to lower density in existing zoning, but added the city could be involv- ed in costly litigation if down- zoning were conducted. “The first thing Cressey said when council wanted to preserve the St. Alice was, ‘} am going to go call my lawyer,’’’ said Bell. Jeremy Dalton, a North Van- couver District resident, said fighting a lawsuit was a better op- tion than turning the area into an expensive slum. “The City of North Vancouver has been very good with preserving green space. Look at what hap- pened in the district where I say Tempe Heights looks like a moonscape and it is a_ visual eyesore. I urge all of you ta go to elected representatives with your holidays. Last year 32 beds were closed during spring break. Smith said the bed closures dur- ing Easter would noc cause any major disruptions or present any hazard to patient health, The hospital. he said, would discuss with the health ministry the possibility of providing some ser- vices, which are offered elsewhere in the community, on a fee basis. Programs that will be examined at the hospital include operation of the medical day centre, day psychiatric care, certain areas of physiotherapy and social work, Smith said. “We have got to look at what we are offering within the envelope of the funds available to us," Smith said, ‘‘and at the same time not compromise the quality of care we offer on the North Shore."* Business ...... Classifieds .... Doug Collins... Or. Ruth....... Editorial Page... Food............. Bob Hunter....... Lifestyles... .. North Shore Now.. Mailbox ............ Sports .... TV Listings............30 What's Going On........35 WEATHER Wednesday, cloudy with sunny periods. Chance of showers. Thursday, cloudy with a favs shavers. Laws, 2°C, highs near 9°C. Second Class Registration Number 3885 concerns,’' said Dalton. The district resident was one of several speakers who was applaud- ed fos his remarks. Like other speakers, Dalton noted unplanned highrise construction in Lower Lonsdale would turn the area into an overbuilt, unplanned West End or False Creek. Mary Sarsfield, the only resident Present in favor of high-density development, said the area needed lots of people and development for business. Other speakers included Ald. Barbara Sharp, Richard ‘'The Trol’! Schaller, former alderman Dana Taylor and 10 other residents of Lower Lonsdale. Ramsay said CAGLL was waiting for results of the view preservation study sponsored by the city before the group takes any action. The study is expected to be completed shortly.