Subject: FW: A Stay of Execution
Date: Mon, 25 Jan 2010 04:41:25 +0000
Dear Elected members,
Please read and act upon the enclosed…we each of us are here to help each other or what’s the point? As members of Derwent Valley council and in elected positions you have the added responsibillity of making a difference. People vote for you to make a difference in their lives. So do it. A phone call………
Recently I heard a story of an Ouse couple travelling to RHH and home again each day for weeks for Chemo treatment…this is insane and an added stress on the seriously ill. The enclosed mail from a woman who’s accommodation was billed directly to RACV.
When I set up Argyle Guest house I had no idea that I would be inundated with such heart rending stories….In the 12 1/2 years I was there I dealt with every hospital , charity and most churches in Tasmania ,police radio room in all areas, victims of crime, domestic crisis line, MAIB, RACV, NRMA…….it just goes on…I paid 40,000 times more rent than charities in Hobart who get buildings for $1/year….Please ,please help towards this most worthy cause…..A Rotary House annex would be run by a trust board of directors by people who care and are proffessional in related fields.
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Subject: RE: A Stay of Execution
Date: Mon, 25 Jan 2010 14:56:49 +1100
From: XXXXX
To: [email protected]
Ruth,
Please let me know what I can do.
My Story;
When I last visited Tasmania we were unfortunately involved in a motor bike accident and my partner was admitted to the Royal Hobart Hospital in an induced coma for approximately one month and then in ICU for another month. We were not sure if he would make it. I had no family or friends with me in a strange state.
Being so far from home and family I was lost and very confused on what tomorrow might bring.
I did come across your accommodation across the road from the Hospital which met my budget (1 x 10th of the cost compared to other Rooms).
I was welcomed immediately with great personalities, understanding and experienced people skills. This was comforting to say the least and you instantly became my family. A warm bed, kitchen facilities, bathroom amenities and a smiling face each day. From here I could visit the hospital every day.
We never think it will happen to us, and I have heard this so many times over the years.
To Ruth, (you are a gun of a citizen) you can do this again and we know you won’t give it up.
We support you till the end. Go get ‘em.
All our support
Lisa & Ray (Melbourne)
From: Ruth Howie [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Monday, 25 January 2010 10:08 AM
To:
Subject: FW: A Stay of Execution
Hi there
I have just had a phone call from a woman in Queenstown with a sick child who needs accommodation in Hobart this week for 3 nights and was asked by Ronald McDonald to pay in advance $98.00/night and then claim reimbursement from PTAS. How long will that reimbursement take? My blood is boiling! Why doesn’t Ronald McDonalds bill PTAS direct so pensioners like this woman have no up front costs?????? A Rotary House would do this. I did this for 12 1/2 years at Argyle Guest House and I was not a charity getting cash donations. If there is no need for a Rotary house why am I getting phone calls from distressed pensioners 2 1/2 years after AGHouse closed??????????????? Please help me in my endeavour to set this Rotary House up. The people need this. You will Look good. How do I get through to you we need to do this. Am I speaking in a foreign language? Please. Please help me
Ruth Howie.
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From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: A Stay of Execution
Date: Sat, 23 Jan 2010 08:02:54 +0000
Dear Scott
I am writing to you in the sincere hope of achieving a stay in the sale by Housing Tasmania of the property known as St Davids Flats situated at 9 Sandy Bay Rd in Hobart which are currently due for public auction on 29/01/2010.
Sincere appreciation is offered for your time in reading this mail in full and giving the contents your most serious consideration.
My name is Ruth Howie. I set up and managed Argyle Guest House opposite Royal Hobart Hospital for 12 1/2 years when I was given 7 days notice to vacate as part of the building had been sold for redevelopment. This part of the building was recently demolished. The Guest house closed 30/09/2007. Since AGH closed there has been a void in this type of accommodation which has not been filled. Argyle Guest House was home to patients and patients’ family members from all Hobart hospitals ( RHH, Hobart Private, Calvary, St. John’s, Whittle ward @ repat, St. Helen’s) and over the 12 1/2 years used 197,200 beds from people from both intra and interstate. The majority of guests were ICU/CCU/Neurosurgery/cardio-thoracic and hi-dependency related…both adult and children.
Yesterday (Friday 22/01/2010) I had a meeting with a member from The Rotary Club of Hobart and was told Mr Ian Shooey (Lt. Gov. of Rotary Tas.) has a meeting scheduled for early next week with Premier Bartlett to discuss setting up a Rotary House to be used as annex accommodation for the above mentioned hospitals in the above mentioned property at 9 Sandy bay Rd, Hobart.
Delaying the sale to give Rotary time to set up a thorough proposal to be put before your govt would be a wonderful strategic mission on your behalf and the patients and their families would be housed close to nearby hospitals for a fee which would be met in full by the current PTAS (patient travel assisstance scheme) currently in place and funded by the Fed. Government. This rate is at present $46/night for a patient and $46/ night for an escort.
Hobart to date has never had an annex for hospital patients and patients’ family members….don’t you think it’s about time?
Both patients and their families are human beings and vote. Unfortunately, the families of critically ill and dying patients who cannot afford CBD motels currently sleep in their cars on the street outside RHH. A Rotary House Annex would bill PTAS direct so distressed adults would have good, clean and safe accommodation with no upfront costs at a time when their budget almost certainly is already stretched. This is how AGH operated.
Please help.
Ruth Howie
PO Box 462
Hobart. 7001
PH: 0406148344
[email protected]
