Inpatient beds needed for complete service
Mar 27, 2008 - 05:16 PM
By Keith Gilligan
DURHAM -- A psychiatrist at the Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital said he and his colleagues would probably quit rather than continue working if their unit is reduced.
Dr. Arul Thangaroopan said he would open a private practice rather than try to provide psychiatric services without inpatient services.
Dr. Thangaroopan, along with doctors Aiyadurai Gnaneswaran, Mohamed Zakaria and Girish Birdi plan to present their case to the Central East Local Health Integration Network board when it meets Friday morning. Rouge Valley wants to move 20 mental health beds from Ajax to Scarborough Centenary hospital as part of a plan to cut costs.
The four dispute the claim by Dr. Steve Fishman, chief of psychiatry for Rouge Valley Health System, who has said closing the inpatient mental health beds at Ajax would be more than offset by improved outpatient services.
“That’s total crap. It won’t improve outpatient services,” Dr. Thangaroopan said.
“When I see a patient here who is grossly psychotic, I admit them. Now, where will I send them? I talk to my colleagues and we can make a bed available,” Dr. Thangaroopan said.
If the only inpatient mental health care beds are at Rouge Valley Centenary, officials there could turn away Ajax doctors trying to find a bed for a patient, he added.
Dr. Fishman’s statement that “fewer and fewer mental health patients tend to be hospitalized,” is “absolute rubbish,” Dr. Thangaroopan said.
“I can challenge him openly on what he says. There’s nothing in the literature to back him up,” he stated.
Dr. Birdi said with the population of west Durham growing, having the mental health services local is vital.
“We need more and more inpatient beds. We don’t know how this is possible. It’s less and less. Rather, it should be more,” Dr. Birdi stated.
Dr. Gnaneswaran said families of mental health patients will be greatly impacted if the only inpatient beds are in Scarborough.
“The patients, a lot don’t have cars and their families don’t have cars,” he said.
A patient may be staying in the hospital for up to two weeks, so “social support is very important for the patient and for the family,” Dr. Gnaneswaran stated.
Dr. Zakaria said, “We understand the budget deficit. We are the only ones affected. You need inpatient with outpatient.
The 20 inpatient mental health beds at Ajax are usually full, the doctors said.
“We transferred patients to Centenary because their beds were empty,” Dr. Zakaria said.
Recommend :
Latest News
Snow guarantees slow rush hourDURHAM -- Overnight snowfall has left slushy and sloppy road conditions just in tie for the trip to work or school for many in Durham Region. Up to 10 cm of snow fell ...
Ready for snow?COURTICE -- The pre-snow rush has begun as homeowners and drivers head to the hardware store to stock up on supplies. "They're picking up the salt, ice melter, shovels, ...
Army invading Utica this weekendUXBRIDGE -- If you see army troops and military vehicles flooding north Durham this weekend, don't be alarmed. Members of The Ontario Regiment (Royal Canadian Armoured ...
Nuclear regulator holding meetings in DurhamDURHAM -- The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission is holding two information sessions in Durham Region next week, where the performance of the two nuclear stations will be ...
Car fire in Ajax TuesdayAJAX -- A car was destroyed in a late night fire in Ajax Tuesday night. The blaze destroyed a 1996 Pontiac Grand Am parked in the driveway at 60 Burcher Rd. Ajax deputy ...
Don't sell 407, says AjaxAJAX -- Don't sell the 407 if it's extended east. Ajax doesn't want the Province to sell Hwy. 407 and to use the money raised from tolls to pay for Metrolinx ...
Forum on Zero Waste set for CourticeCOURTICE -- A group of area citizens is hoping an upcoming information night will help people recognize Zero Waste as a viable long-term strategy aimed at eliminating the need...
Police release video in shooting probePICKERING -- Police have released security camera video in hopes of identifying two persons of interest in a shooting last May in Pickering. The video captures images of two ...
Murder plot discussed in whispers: witnessWHITBY -- The conversation ran from mundane to murder when a police agent met with a high-ranking Hells Angel to discuss dealing with an underworld rival, a jury has been told...
Gymnasts flipping for joyPICKERING -- The co-owner of the Pickering Athletic Centre (PAC) can finally get some rest after countless hours of fighting to keep her business alive. "I'm finally ...