Doctors Present Ideas

Quinte Health Care’s Professional Staff Association President says doctors in Trenton and Picton are willing to work with management on proposed cuts at the hospitals.

Doctor Jonathan Riddell (riddle) told today’s Q-H-C board meeting  there was a good discussion at an association meeting last night about suggestions from physicians in the two communities on how to reduce expenses, and retain services.

The Trenton doctors, among other recommendations, want the hospital emergency room to remain open 24 hours a day, rather than reduced to 16 hours, and the Picton physicians say an increase, not decrease, in the number of inpatient beds is needed.

The service reductions at the Picton and Trenton hospitals are among the options suggested by Q-H-C management to cut a projected 15-million-dollar deficit by March of next year.

Midwives Coming to Belleville

Midwives will soon be delivering babies at the Belleville Hospital.

The Chief of Staff, Doctor Mohammed Gaber, told the Quinte Health Care Board meeting today there are still a few concerns about resources, and nursing staff and anesthetists are being consulted to assure everything is in place.

However, he couldn’t say exactly when Belleville’s four midwives, who can deliver about 40 babies a year, would be able to start.

Midwives began providing their services at the Picton hospital last year.

Belleville Council Wrestles with Arena Issues

Belleville city council managed to cut 168-thousand dollars from a 72-million dollar capital budget during the first day of deliberations…..most of it upgrading of city-owned buildings.  Council wrestled with two items regarding the city’s arenas….establishing a Steering Committee to report on a twin pad arena and expanding the Quinte Sports Centre. Although Councillor Taso Christopher argued long and loud against keeping 21-million dollars in the budget for that possible expansion, he strongly supported the twin-pad proposal.  His motion to remove the 21-million was lost on a recorded vote of six to two…with Councillor Jack Miller declaring a conflict.

Waterfront Restaurant in Belleville??

It may be that when Belleville takes over Meyers Pier from the federal government this summer, people will be able to enjoy dinner there, looking out over the harbour.  Mayor Neil Ellis says a restauranter has expressed interest in locating in the Meyer’s Pier building. He said this would be a great addition to the waterftront.    Mayor Ellis says the interested party, whom he wouldn’t name, is discussing the plan with the city, but the mayor said it would have to go to tender before a decision could be made.

Belleville Arenas Under Microscope at Budget

A long list of road construction and upgradings have been approved as Belleville city council continues deliberations on its 72-million dollar capital budget. But the big issue was the proposed upgrading of the Quinte Sports Centre or building new arenas. Mayor Neil Ellis says he’s pleased that a Steering Committee has been established to report on those issues…and says he favours a new arena if it makes sense financially..  City council did approve putting 15-million in the budget for a proposed twin-pad arena and 21-million for a proposal to expand the Quinte Sports Centre…both will depend on the Steering Committee report this fall.

Quinte High School Teachers Get Wage Hike

A large group of local high school teachers is getting some back pay.  The Hastings Prince Edward School Board and the OSSTF have ratified a new four contract that sees the teachers get a 12-percent raise….3-percent each year.  The deal is retroactive to September 1st.

Impaired Driver Charged near Trenton

Three poeple were treated and released in hospital after a two car crash near Trenton late yesterday afternoon.  Quinte West OPP have charged a 58-year old Sidney man with impaired and blood-alcohol over 80-milograms after the crash on Highway-2 in Sidney. The man’s name wasn’t released.

Body Discovered in Downtown Trenton

Quinte West OPP are investigating a sudden death in downtown Trenton. Detective Sergeant Brad Robson says a body was discovered in a King Street apartment, yesterday morning, and officers remain on the sceen.  No other details regarding the age or gender of the deceased have been released.

Lots of school bus cancellations in Quinte on January 28th

A day off for thousands of local students, thanks to Old Man Winter.

Snow that’s been falling since two o’clock this morning has resulted in school bus operators cancelling their runs to all public and catholic schools in Hastings, Prince Edward, Lennox and Addington and Frontenac counties.

About 75 buses in Northumberland county also aren’t picking up students this morning because of the poor road conditions.

Trenton, Belleville and Quinte Christian school buses are also parked for the day.

All schools remain open, although any student who gets there on their own this morning will have to find a way home this afternoon.

Family Doctor candidate to visit Brighton

A family doctor candidate will be visiting Brighton soon.

Mayor Chris Herrington says the physician, who has been practicing for over 20 years, will tour the Brighton Health Service Centre and meet members of the family health team late next month.

He was referred to Brighton by the municipality’s physician recruiter.

Herrington says he also enjoys working in a hospital emergency department.