cl*<~ ', . tjjpil 11, ~~~~~~~o7 , . 44ý1 ,rI ~ . .~ PAGE 20, WHffBPÈME PRES, >WEDNESAY, MAY 13, 1992 I .......... B Nm'oucher, The Witby General Hospitai Auxiliary is celbrating its25thb anniversary by offering more positive programs _to help patients at the hospita1. Volunteer Emorgency Support Services (VESS) is the. newest prograin, operated and staffed by about 200 trained volunteersi who are knowlodgeable about the' various hospital resources such* as emergenýcy codes and cha-- plaincy services, says Cory> Four- nier, who býeme auxiliary pro-ý sident May 25. VESS devoloped in partner- ship withe auxiliarprovidos, pamphlets-and ,a bulletin board ,,at the hospital wYith information on heaith care services and speci- fic diseases,; she says. Fournier says members of VESS give emotionai supprt to patients and their famihe, in- cluding looking after a chid The Ontario- aovernmont -la spending $2 m illioný on supern- vised .acceas services. in 13 centres, including Durhamn The nnonceentwas made by Attorney General Howard Hampton during a visit te Whitby last week. Hamipton says the supervised access prograin «offers separated families a safe, neutral and child-focused setting in which visits betweon a child and parent cen take place.» Visits currentîy take place in' police stations, lawyer's offices or bwling aîîeyS. says Hampton. .About $75,000 a year wlligo te three centres i Durham -- one when the parent needs, to ho with another child receiving. tréat- ment at'the'hospitai. The group liasa televiision set, aciit*tems -like colouring booka7f r children, and coffée and, julces for people in the waitlng room ofthe'omergency depart- ment to help croate a hospitable atosphere, she says. «It was s1 o wel received that peoplestarted ,giving donations to theprograishe says. The-grouýp provides listening books or. some- of -the 'patients who have difficult readlng orjust want te enjoy music or a story on tape whi1e items such as soap and cards can ho purchased ?by the patients through- the hospi- taI ahe says. 1 Nurnier says the group., also helpa with the Lifeline, prora be paying aregularvstohc that the equipment is function- ing properly at the hospital. in either Whitby or Osha*a, one ln, Ajax or Pickerilng, anhdg!nin Port Perry. 'Ljocations '.have .yet te ho announcod, but it's hoped the centres cari be up and runing by Junel.* Hampton says sup ervise& accessa visita are needfed in" a number of situations, . such 'as when thore's a risk of violence or abuse, alcoholism or -threat of abduction. DurhaWns prograin will ho operated by- the YMCA, with, advice from such groups as 'the DurhamIn aw ,Association, Fain- ily Court,,Clinic, Children's Aid Society and the, OfficiaI Guar- dians Office. *One of the'im ortant pieces of mqiinent dona ospi- tals an, ultraviolet. cabinet, thé only one in, Durhamn Regioni, for skinproblemsshe says. «Thi isour 25th a.nniversary year and we hope te continue te have programs lilco the new 'VESS prograin te help those who need health and personal care," she says. The auxlliary, with over '200 membera, alobas sohool tours, for grade 2 students ýte enlghten -" children and help talce away the. feair of hospitale, she gays.' A volunteer prograininicludes students aged 14 te 18 who work between 50 te 100 hours" a year in assisting nurses with, patlent, careshesays. Funier says some of the stu-, dents end. up becoming volun- teers with the auxiliary and oth- ors -use, the experience for a possible medical career.-' «We are always thinking of the future and'possible volunteers te help us ýthrough 'the school tours," she says. Fournier'bays the more volun- teers, the more'health and social care for the patients at the hospi- *tai .will bo first class and special. "Whatever little bit 'you give, you get two-folds back in, appre- ciation and it makes it ail worth- while,'» she says. The, auxiliary was formed in 1967 byý founding president Marg Donn er te help raise money for- ,the construction of what. was thon called Dr. J.O. Ruddy Hos- pital (the naine was changed a fow years ago). "Our main focus waa to get funds te help build.-a hospital,» says Fournier. The gýroIUP raised about $80,O00las year> in support,,cf the new wing that is soon to ho costuted at the hospital,e she A 'special dinner- to, celebrate the 25th anniversary wili take place at Cullen Gardons on May 25.- F~LORENCE KALAR (et and Margaret Smith, found- ing'members of the Whitby Generai Hospitai Auiliary, look over 25 years of memories. A oeiebration.was heid Ilast Wednesday at St., Andrew's Preebyterlaîn Curch to mairk the EauilUiÊg'. 25th, annivýersary. .Another, oeiebration wiili soon be heid at CullenGardens. Photo by Mark Eoeuor, Whltby Fr.. Pr... Three supejrvise access centres to be,