Nov 16, 2009 - 04:30 AM

By Jennifer Stone

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DURHAM -- Gloria Stock used to have to stop to catch her breath while doing simple household chores like making beds, as a result of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

That was before the now-63-year-old Bowmanville resident found Lakeridge Health's respiratory rehabilitation program. But now, she wonders if she might wind up right back where she started, as the hospital corporation seeks permission to slash the program from the Central East Local Health Integration Network.

The proposal is the latest in a series of cuts Lakeridge has made as it staggers out from under a $24-million deficit.

"We've pared it down to $5.2 million," hospital spokesman Arnel Schiratti said. "But that's still $5.2 million we're spending that we don't have."

So, that put everything on the table. The respiratory rehab program, and a move to combine a day hospital and physiotherapy program, will save about $750,000. Of that, $160,000 in savings is attributed to slashing the respiratory program.

The move has mobilized a number of users of the program, largely people with COPD and other breathing-related illnesses, like chronic bronchitis and asthma, who say it is a mistake to cut it.

"I credit them with saving my life," says Whitby resident Barry Brooks.

The 73-year-old used the program about two years ago.

"They taught me proper diet, proper exercise, proper ways of taking medication," Mr. Brooks said. "They teach you everything you need to know."

Cutting the program is short-sighted, Mr. Brooks contends. He says data shows that for "every dollar spent on a (respiratory) rehabilitation program, it saves the hospital $1.70."

Ms. Stock agrees. She goes twice a week for hour-long medically-supervised workouts at the clinic.

The program "keeps us healthier, so we're not in the hospital as much, or for a shorter time if we are," Ms. Stock said. Without the program, "people will be in the hospital, and for a longer time."

There is no similar program offered elsewhere in Durham and going to Toronto, where a similar program exists, simply isn't an option, given health concerns, Mr. Brooks said.

But, Lakeridge really has no choice but to look at any and all programs, Mr. Schiratti said.

"There's really no fat left" to cut, he said. "We've done about 80 per cent of the total (deficit) without impacting service."

The respiratory program and the day hospital/physiotherapy merger "are the only two things we can see" to cut, Mr. Schiratti said.

The equivalent of two-and-a-half full-time staff -- a clerical worker, along with a respiratory therapist and a manager -- are employed by the program, which sees about 1,100 visits a year. About 90 new patients are referred to the program each year, Mr. Schiratti said.

The hospital corporation holds out hope the Province will provide additional funding for Durham, which officials have consistently said has been shortchanged.

"Our area is growing by leaps and bounds," Mr. Schiratti said. "There's been a historical issue (with hospital funding for Durham) and if you add growth to that," the problem becomes even more pronounced. But until more funding flows, cuts need to be made.

Finding savings through cutting the respiratory rehab program and co-locating the two other services "is the best choice out of a list of very unappealing options," Mr. Schiratti said.