Vote…

Over the holidays I have been conversing on my facebook about an issue that a friend has experienced at the Hospital and she gave me permission to relay her experience on my blog. 

A friend of mine had a fall and ended up at the Ajax Pickering Hospital.  I will copy in what she has outlined in facebook.

When I injured my foot/ankle a few weeks ago nearly and followed up with the surgeon in the fracture clinic he sent me down to the other clinic where they do the tests and next thing you know I was being fitted for a ‘Air Cast Foam Walker’ . I was beside myself and in pain and did not know enough to question the doctors best judgment when he recommended this for me. Only to discover after being fitted by the cast tech for this Air cast and to be handed a form indicating that I will be responsible for the payment once the invoice comes in at $190 - wow and I am only on ODSP and I told the cast technician this. I would had much rather been put in a $50 foot/ankle cast…

At first we were discussing the fact that she had to pay for a cast since she was on Ontario Disability in the first place, it is up to her to get the bill from the Hospital and submit to ODSP to pay the Hospital,  why the Hospital can’t bill direct is what everyone pretty much wondered.  (more…)

Update to my Freedom of Information request in the Town of Ajax (FOI) - I will add FOI to my Municipal lingo cheatsheet-  As suggested by a reader I clarified my request and the Town did not charge me another $5.00 , I have received a new response and an index of records I will receive and records I won’t be getting and the reason why. 

 I am not posting anything until after I pick up the package and read it.  I am not getting some of the information I asked for.   July 29th is my next day off from my regular job and that is when I requested the package be ready.    

I have learned that Town only cares about the contractor– the Contractor can sub contract and that sub contractor can sub contract so the names of companies involved are not necessarily part of the public record. 

I do look forward to reading through the info I will get, make a final decision at that point about appealing regarding the records that will not be released.

I have received the following in an email and , yes I was thinking the same thing!

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Can someone tell me where the parking fees go? Do they go directly to the hospital?
I don’t mind paying a ‘user fee’ for parking if it goes to the hospital.
However I’m concerned that this will severely hurt our seniors on fixed incomes.
How can an elderly couple afford these fees when visiting a sick spouse, especially daily!
Anyone with comments and fee details please!
Thanks,
Marsha Dooley
Elect Dooley - Councillor Ward 3 Ajax
www.MarshaDooley.ca

This posted today by the NewsAdvertiser :
August 03, 2010

AJAX — Parking fees are set to go up at the Ajax-Pickering hospital.
As of Monday, Aug. 9, the current system of tokens will be replaced by a new computerized system meant to enhance parking services at Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital.
The new fees will match those at the Scarborough site.
Prices will now be $4 for up to 30 minutes, $8 for 31 to 60 minutes, $12 for 61 minutes to 90 minutes, and $16 for 91 minutes or more. Day passes are also available with in and out privileges for $16.
The new machines will offer the ability to pay by cash or credit.
Patients and visitors will have to use the entrance to the west lot off of Harwood Avenue. Before entering the lot, they’ll take a ticket from the dispenser, signalling the gate to open.
They should keep the ticket with them while inside the hospital, and before leaving, pay at a parking machine. The machine will be located in the emergency entrance foyer, and others will be added in the future.
When exiting the lot, patients and visitors are to insert the validated ticket into the exit gate.
If anyone needs help, the gates and pay stations are connected via intercom to the security office.
VISIT: www.rougevalley.ca
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Admin: When my neighbour had her stroke in December we shared a pass with the neighbours but a family member and spouse pays the most. It’s too bad because when you think about it, nurses do not have the time to offer the level of care they once did and family members have to pick up the slack to make sure their loved ones eat their meal and just help to watch over things.

I was sent an email from the Ombudsman office the other morning to answer my question I had asked a few months prior, asking if Andre’s term was going to be extended.

It seems it may not be extended. There is an all party committee that will be set up for the selection process, I hope it is open to the press as well.

If you have not signed the petition, only 28 or so have , sign the petition just to show that it matters to have someone working for you! This petition is free on ipetitions and signing it means you support the term of Andre Marin being extended another 5 years. You do not have to make a donation just close the screen and your signature is still recorded.

If Andre Marin is not appointed then I will seriously question whether I can vote for Dalton and his gang next year.

Is AMO behind it ??? The Municipal sector was not happy in regards to the closed meeting complaint investigator issue.

If Andre Marin is replaced , how hard will the next Ombudsman work towards gaining oversight in the MUSH sector?– Municipalities, Universities , Schools and Hospitals, you know the areas where our tax dollars flow but we have no real recourse if a problem arises.

If he is not successful in obtaining another term then he should run for office and we can try to get him to move to Ajax ! Andre Marin for Mayor!!!!!!!!! or MPP.

[edit] Be sure to ask candidates if they support the Ontario Ombudsman having jurisdiction in the MUSH sector. It will be a question on the candidate questionnaire to be sent out.

Email me your questions that I can incorporate into a candidate questionnaire, I won’t promise every single one but I will read them all. Send them to voicesofajax@hotmail.com , don’t post them to the blog. Thanks. I am taking questions throughout the spring and early summer.

I am not an accountant so please send in your complicated math degree needed tax questions if you want.

Regional focus questions in addition to local focus questions. Your name can go with the question if you would like it to or it can just be added to mine. (more…)

I guess I should have written a post to say I was taking a break. Things going on, school starting. Waiting to hear my job status from a big merger. If I am confirmed in my position I will be working for the biggest energy company in Canada , sounds pretty impressive when stated in that way!

The garden is plodding along, I have to learn patience. There will be a community garden in Ajax at St. Andrews Park that I will help with but the timing is a glacial pace. These things take time I know but I do wish it could go faster. Parks grow flowers, parks can grow a carrot but the carrot takes a lot more fertilizer to get.

Election buzz everywhere , by-election in Toronto - Provincial, a perspective Mayor candidate from the Province level wanting to go down a notch, I wonder why Smitherman would be willing to leave the Province for the top job in the city a year before the next Provincial election in 2011 ? A possible Federal election in the Fall of 2009.

Be back soon, who wants to go to the first council meeting ?

I wonder if Obama would like to be Mayor of Toronto, even part time would be better then Miller! Here is a novel way 905′ers can vote in the Toronto election, purchase a condo with a whole lot of other people and each registered owner on title get’s to vote, no matter if you live there or not. This is what it appears to be according to a convoluted response from a City of Toronto clerk.

I will canvas for anyone that runs against Mr. Miller, well almost anyone unless of course we have an interesting election here . Who is going to run against Mr. Parish ?

What? I don’t live in Toronto you say? so what, Mr. Ferguson lives in Aurora and he can dictate what happens in the City! Where was his garbage stockpiling ? that is all I am saying on that subject.

UPDATE: September 10th. (more…)

I received a letter in the mail a while ago, it was from my Doctor’s office. She never writes so I was immediately concerned about the contents of this letter.

She is leaving her practice at the end of May and has offered a few choices, enrol in her practice somewhere in the core of the city, find a new doctor and pay to have my files transferred. I managed to get in a final appointment before she leaves. This also leaves the hospital with one less Doctor. (more…)

With all the doom and gloom around, Hospital issues and GM , here is something positive for a change.

Saturday May 31st is the Lancaster Ball, a fundraiser for the hospital. Brian Johnson is the organizer of this event. $200.00 per ticket , a worthy cause.

I am not sure of contact info so if you want to be contacted regarding tickets, email me and I will forward it on.

The Hospital rally had a good turnout then I read about the incident of the Sr. Parish not letting Joe Dickson speak. Petty to bring possible personal issues into something that affects a lot of people. Mr. Dickson while on local council was never known to be a Jr. Parish foot soldier.

I still think Lottery payouts should be reduced and more money for the hospitals from Ontario Lottery money.
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Unrelated note: With the nice weather here I have seen so many kids out riding bikes with no helmuts, all ages. Please remember it is the law for kids under 18 to wear a helmut. My kid never rides his bike without it and neither do I.

With all this hospital trouble we need to do everything we can to stay out of it!

I was at the meeting tonight but left early. I was there for the presentation and the beginning of the questions- statements, exchanges getting heated.

I have to read over the paper handouts I was given still. (more…)