Dr. Rosemary Moodie, Paediatric Lead for the Central East LHIN, has been appointed to help develop an integrated regional model of hospital-based Paediatric Care. 

THE CE LHIN is currently developing a Clinical Services Plan and creating a regional pediatric care model is one of the first priorities.

Implications for paediatric services at Ajax Pickering is uncertain at this time.

Dr. Moodie was for six years head of Paediatrics at the RVHS, had a cross appointment  at Toronto's Sick Kids Hospital and served as East Cluster chair for the Child Health Network of the Greater Toronto Area.

The RVHS has been designated as a Regional Paediatric/Prenatal Centre for East Metro and is part of the Child Health Network with Sick Kids Hospital.

A 'Birthing Centre' located at the RVHS Centenary site is expected to open in the fall of this year.

A plan to transfer obstetric/paediatric services to Centenary Hospital in 2005 caused a massive public outcry in the West Durham area.

Judicial Review to Test  'Public Consultation' In Mental Health Bed Move

An OPSEU-inspired judicial review of the process followed by the RVHS and the Central East LHIN in a proposed mental health bed move from the Ajax-Pickering Hospital is scheduled for July.

OPSEU lawyers will argue that the law requiring public consultation before the proposed changes was broken. The Local Health Services Integration Act requires providers must “engage the communities of diverse persons and entities” when developing plans and setting priorities for the delivery of health services.

The Friends will present an affidavit is support of the OPSEU case.

The hearing will be the first test in Ontario's judicial system of the consultation requirement. The ruling may be precedent setting.

Central East LHIN Open Board Meeting to discuss RVHS Mental Health Consultation Report, Friday, June 6, 2008. details

Councils Ask Ontario Human Rights Commission Ruling on Mental Health Bed Move

Pickering and Ajax Councils have asked the Ontario Human Rights Commission to review the proposed move of 20 mental health patient beds from the Ajax-Pickering Hospital to the RV Centenary site.

According to the Ontario Human Rights Code, a 'mental disorder' is a disability, and it's discriminatory to deny someone service because of a disability.

Things to watch:

• June 18 Regional Council Meeting

• cardiatric services offered at A-P site

• CE LHIN Clinical Services Plan details (LHIN website)

• MPPS actions or inaction on opening hospital Boards to public participation

For further background consult the archives.

June 3, 2008