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MARCH 2, 1972 TERRACE BAY NEWS PAGE 17 vate to public status so that grants could be applied for badly-needed renovations and - or extensions, to keep the hospital modern. About this time representa- tives from various Government departments in Toronto began paying visits, one fo these from the Fire Mar- shall's office. He reported that while fire prevention and control was good, in the hospital, nevertheless, certain features of the structure was not acceptable to today's requirements; this he reported to Department of Health, and we were faced with an expenditure of something over $1000,000. to bring a 20 year old bu- ilding up to acceptable fire standards. About this time, Dr. Adey, came to the staff, rela- ting his experiences in other hospitals, and was very enthusiastic about it happening in Terrace Bay. After many meetings the decision to convert to pub- lic ownership became legal in March 1971, with a provisional board, which, in March of this year, will . become an elected board. The provisional board accomplished a great deal; proving that a board formed people from both Schreib- er and Terrace Bay, from all walks of life, can work together. It has established contacts with experts from the Hospital Commission and the Hospital Association; the Hospital Services Commission is a government commission which up until now has been in complete control of hospital services in Canada. The Ontario Hospital Association is quite a different body being an Association representing the various hospital boards throughout the country = whoever wishes to join it, and, they also act as consultants. The comprehensive set of by-laws we have prepared will be placed on public view in both towns and you will be asked to endorse them at the first annual, shareholders' meeting in Terrace Bay, on March 15. We have been fortunate in securing an able and experienced administrator = Mr. Victor Mazzone, who started immediately preparing the 1972 budget, which is about to be presented to the Commission. We decided upon the extent of property we might in future require, laid claim to it in the name of The McCausland Hospital, and this has been surveyed and registered. We now have a deed which in effect turns over the hospital to the people of Terrace Bay and Schreiber at no charge. On March 15 this deed will be presented fo the newly-elected board. When are we goin to start expanding? The answer .is we may or may not be expanding, at least not in the same sense as Marathon did, but we will definitely hope to improve phases of the operation - facilities at the hospital, the medical and nursing services, and other areas which need up-dating. . This will cost money. The Government grant struc- ture will be explained in brief outline but no matter how you cut it, area residents are going to be respon- sible for finding some money, approximately one-six- teenth, of the total capital amount required. In towns of our size it is virtually impossible to raise the amounts required by private subscription even with generous donations from firms in the area. It is this area the Board appeals fo you to strongly support the application for grants by becoming mem- bers of the Corporation - there is the possibility that if we do NOT - we may not have a hospital here. We now have an excellent basis upon which to build a strong health facility in the area of Rossport, Schre- iber, and Terrace Bay .. Dr. Adey, president of the Medical Staff then spoke on existing facilities and improvements which are be- ing discussed. Don Beno used the homely comparison of a hospital to insurance - we seldom think of either until the mom- ent they are needed! ! It cost, Mr. Beno stared, about $18,000 per month to operate the hospital. O.H.S.C. are paying for the administration, operating, and maintenance cost, but does NOT pay equipment, repaid to the Board by means of annual depreciation. And at this time the Board's only means of accumulating cash for capitl expenditures is through the differential rate between the ward and private rooms Financing of a building program would be born in this way: Fed=-Prov grant - 2/3; Northern Ont. grant - 1/6; Area served = 1/6. We have been given to under- stand that hospital construction costs are from $35,000 to $50,000 per bed. Mr. Beno suggested the importance of forming an auxiliary to support the hospital, and urged every person in the community to become a member of the McCausland Hospital Corporation = the cost a vey nominal fee - and, as a member attend the annual meeting on March 15. Mr. Mazzone spoke briefly outlining his training and experience, and others on the platform also described their interest in being on the hospital board. The meeting closed with a question and answer period.