4 — Wednesday. October 8, 1997 — North Shore News Health policy aimless, says BCMA head By lan Noble News Reporter fan@nsnews.com THE North Shore, says British Columbia Medical Association president Dr. Granger Avery, is on the cutting edge — unfortunately. When he delivered that verdict to physicians and other staff at Lions Gate Hospital on Tuesday morn- ing, he wasn’t talking about patient care or the hospital’s equipment. He was discussing the worst doctor-health region relationship in B.C., the one between North Shore doctors and the North Shore Health Region. The deteriorating relations have led to doctors’ calls for the dismissal of region CEO Inge Schamborzki and a ver- dict of non-confidence in the region’s board, which is chaired by former West Vancouver councillor Diana Hutchinson. Hutchinson and the board continue to support the CEO. Avery congratulated North Shore doctors on their gressive stance, saying local P ysicians have cast the spot- ight on the problems of regionalization right across the province. Said Avery: “We have on the North Shore an unneces- sary problem. We have the enforced introduction of a regionalization process that is undemocratic, with no stated aims and without evaiuation.” The BCMA spoke out against regionalization, the NDP's initiative to bring fragmented health care “clos- er to home,” as early as 1994. At Lions Gate, Avery contin- ued that attack on the process, which has led to the creation of health boards such as the North Shore Health Region. “There are no clearly stat- ed aims but an apparent vague will to reduce hospital services in favor of community pre- ventative prograins,” he said. The minister of health must be held accountable for the failure of the regionaliza- tion process, Avery said. “A problem, which didn't exist, was solved by people who didn’t know what they were doing. Change was con- fused for progress and the price is now being paid.” He assured North Shore doctors that they have the full supporc of the BCMA as they deal with the disruptions “introduced into the health care system in your communi- ty because of regionaliza- tion.” He said that if the govern- ment wishes to make region- alization work, it must elect regional boards and re- involve physicians in the health care planning process. But Hutchinson rejects Avery’s claims. She said her board’s aims are to continue good patient care and get the community involved in decision-making and creat- ing efficiencies in the local heaith system, which will be done through integrating services. “We are just at the begin- ning stages, bur this board is NEWS photo Mike Wakefield BCMA president Dr. Granger Avery congratulated North Shore doctors Tuesday at Lions Gate Hospital for their tough stand against the North Shore Heaith Region. Youll be ~ committed to regionalization and working with the cont munity,” she ‘aid. Hutchinson said the board goes through a process of self- evaluation and expects to receive specific guidelines from the province on out- comes and measuring how programs are pertorming. Regionalization, she added, is not a failure and has started to create efficiencies president of the Lions Gate Hospital Medical Staff, said he cancelled a meeting with Hutchinson yesterday because doctors “understand an initia- tive is forming” at the min- istry of health and doctors did not want to preclude the min- istry from acting. Richards does not know what the ini- Hative entails. Meanwhile, — physicians to circulate. States the peti- tion: “ET object to the way regionalization has | been implemented on the North Shore. To want Lions Gate Hospital and acute medical care to remain a major force of my health care. E want an elected regional board and I want a CEO who can carry on the traditions of excellence and cooperation that have been standards until now.” (Ka r6-Kieo ray): Ist store in Canada! unveiled a petition they plan WUN PAC OF - Give Hallowe’ en Treat Coupen Colouring Books! On sale at recCentres & Save-On-Foods Colouring books contain free swim & skate coupons, as well as a chance to win a mountain bike. (Coupons apply to children 14 years and under.) g Buy yours today! Call 987-PLAY(7529). Ey Us Coucono ¢3 SAVE-ON-FOODS BC COROE on the North Shore. On the region's relations with doctors, she said she has yet to hear back from the physicians on the board's offer of mediation between the two sides. “We've been waiting for three weeks,” said Hutchinson. “But we are very anxious tosit down with a mediator so we can get things going. The board wants to have the input of the physicians.” Dr. Peter Richards, the Proceeds support the NVRC Financial NORTH VANCOUVER Assistance Program RECREATION COMMISSION never felt so gocd. Buy a 1997 Chevrolet Camaro RS and receive a “Pamper Package” from the | indulge Yourseit. Spa at the Century. 97 Chevy Camaro RS model including mags, T-tops, CD player & much more! SAVE foes Priced from $93 998 Spa sampler package begins with an Eucalyptus stearn and swim in our indoor ozonated pool: ‘Then enjoy a session our aromachair's unique sauna-like unit while having a hair/scalp massage. Next, onto our custemized wet table fora Healthy Glow Bronzing Treatment which includes a marine salt body scrub and Vichy shower. Finish off ‘your spa 5 experience with a Royal Manicure/Pedicure is in our massage Throne Chair to truly make | you feel like Royalty. ee 1845 Marine Drive,. North Vancouver.’ - (South side, one block east of Capilano Mal) * <1 88164 “5 min from Lions fate Bridge! “10 min fram Second Narrows © «: more trunk space. On now until Sunday, Oct. 19th. Details in store. FeATON's