This long posting may be of interest. It comes from the Community Economic Development Network listserv at Simon Fraser U in BC, and was a message posted by the Rural & Small Town Programme in Sackville New Brunswick, with a copy of a message / response from Manitoba - so a great example of a national and international brainstorming on a shared issue of health reform and economic development. I am copying the original message first, then the Manitoba message and finally the list presented to a group of residents and others who used it to develop actions. It is a great example of using Computer-Mediated Communications for community health work! By the way, take a look at who the final message went to - 12 Canadian list-servs and electronic discussion groups/mailing lists - a very broad network! Alison Stirling <[log in to unmask]> _____________________________ From: owner-ced-net To: ced-net Cc: localgov; crrf-l; ruraldev; rural; maritgr; geoatlantic-l; rural; non-met-dev; rurcan; arktel; cap-atlantic-network Friends: We are generating a list of ideas (one-liners) and case studies (paragraph or two) of how small town hospitals which have been downsized (beds closed, services reduced) have taken on new activities to keep people employed and still provide health services to the residents. This 55-bed hospital in Sackville, New Brunswick Canada has been downsized over the past few years to the point of having only about 33 beds operational. There eight family doctors in town. There are two large hospitals 45 minutes away in Moncton. Some of the doctors in Moncton travel to Sackville once a week to offer special clinics (dermatology, for example) not provided by family doctors, but this may be reduced or ended as the Health Care Corporation and the doctors themselves do not seem interested in supporting it. There is also a two-bed obstetrics facility in the hospital, but fewer family doctors seem willing to perform births there, preferring to send their patients to the larger hospials in Moncton. Do you have examples of how hospital facilities can or have been used for medical-related or non-medical-related activities that can meet population demand and provide employment? Please e-mail directly to [log in to unmask] David Bruce, Research Associate Rural and Small Town Programme Mount Allison University Sackville NB E0A 3C0 506-364-2395 506-364-2601 (fax) [log in to unmask] Visit our WEB SITE at http://www.mta.ca/rstp ---------- Re: > Do you have examples of how hospital facilities can or have been used for medical-related or non-medical-related activities that can meet population demand and provide employment? I think this is an issue that is being faced by a lot of small, rural communities. I would appreciate seeing some of this information posted directly to the list. In our area we have a 150 bed hospital surrounded by 4 smaller (20-30 bed) facilities. With the rationalization taking place in the Manitoba health sector, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to predict that one or more of these facilities will be closed or have to change function. So, the quest is on... Ken Arundell <[log in to unmask]> Assistant Manager <http://www.cpnet.net/cp> Central Plains Inc. - A Manitoba Regional Development Corporation ___________________________ To: ced-net Cc: localgov; crrf-l; ruraldev; rural; maritgr; geoatlantic-l; rural; non-met-dev; rurcan; arktel; cap-atlantic-network Subject: Responses to Alternative Uses for Community Hospital Date: Monday, May 13, 1996 10:12AM Thanks to everyone who contributed ideas for our list of alternative uses for a small community hospital. We presented the list below to a large group of residents and others who worked in small groups to flesh out priorities, possible actions, etc. I have also attached two ideas that came in late after the list was used by the group. --===================== Ideas List of Alternative Uses for Hospital Facilities (From experiences elsewhere) I. Specialized Medical Services Physiotheraphy/Occupational therapy Pathology Chronic care - Parkinson's; Arthritis; Alzheimer's Acute care/Trauma Centre Palliative care - AIDS Paediatrics Geriatrics II. Clinics Nutrition Incontinence Maternity Teenage sexuality Wellness III. Centres Rehab Centre - Industrial injuries such as agricultural, fishing, mining; other workplace injuries Research Centre, e.g. environmentally sensitive research; epidemiology, etc. IV. Training Birthing Centres, e.g. midwife training Nurse Practitioners Satellite campus for medical schools/research institutes, e.g. Dalhousie University V. Community Health Centre "One stop shop" - combine all health and human services under one roof, including Public Health, Red Cross, VON, Extra Mural, Mental Health, Social Services, etc. VI. Others Community College Retail outlets Child care centre Community education and awareness building, ex. preventive medicine NOTE: Any of the items on this list may be further broken into delivery; care; treatment; training. Many also have research centre potential. Two late additions: I have no direct experience, but have always visualized a community healing centre which would combine traditional medical care with space for businesses related to health, including nutritionist, massage therapists, family counselling, daycare, a small gym or exercise facility, perhaps midwives, lactation consultants, etc...plus space for workshops adn community meetings on meditation, various healing practices, herbal remedies, cooking/food preparation courses, etc. MOst community colleges are cutting back on these "general interest" types of programs, but we are very much a part of a learning society. Could also include a seniors centre, library or resources, ACCESS TO THE INTERNET, distance education centre, up-grading or adult ed centre... Combining government funded services with private business and entrepreneurs can be to everyone's benefit. Of course, it depends partly on the population of the surrounding area to determine whether there is enough potential business to support it. However, you may find that there are lots of home-based business people locally who would be interested in having access to a facilty part-time, or an outlet for their products. _______ Apart from my work at the above address (Uni of Tasmania), I work at the Westbury Community Health Centre. Originally this was Westbury Hospital and later became a nursing home catering for 9 residential patients. This was closed down and the patients were relocated to other nursing homes. The main hopspital being 30 minutes away. There are only 2 family doctors at the local clinic. In its place there is the Westbury Community Health Centre which is staffed by: 1 Diversional Therapist (part-time), who provides day centre and community services for the frail aged and disabled members of the municipality 1 Community Nurse (full-time), who works with frail aged and disabled members of the community, often making house visits and giving follow-up treatment to patients who have been released from institutional care. She has several home maintenance and home carers working under her program as needed. 1 Social Worker (full-time), who provides counselling and other services which aim to improve the well being of residents of the Municipality. 1 Family & Child Health Nurse (full-time), who provides advice and aid to parents with children up to highschool age. 1 Youth Worker (part-time), who works with youth from 14 to 22 years old in providing them with activities and services (including education). 1 Centre Manager (full-time), who apart from ensuring the efficient operation of the Community Health Centre, is instrumental in health promotion activities (not just physical but emotional and spiritual as well). This often means giving direction to community groups who come together with a common aim so that they can reach their aim (Many people have ideas but do not have the skills to implement those ideas). She is also responsible for recruiting and training of volunteers which make so much of the work done by the Centre possible. For any other information, please feel free to contact me on the above e-mail or write to: Centre Manager, Annette Barrett 89 Bass Highway Westbury TAS 7303 Australia Tel: 003-931222 Fax: 003-931872 --=====================_832007484==_--