‘Stretcher Transfer Services’ Update

By Jenny McCaig-Lindsay

Community Care Northumberland’s (CCN’s) ‘Stretcher Transfer’ service is proving to be a significant success! CCN is grateful for the support of community donor Selena Forsyth, and the Northumberland United Way’s “Community Impact Investment Funding” without whom the program would not be possible.

United Way investment funding, together with Ms. Forsyth allowed CCN to launch its own Stretcher Service (by retro fitting CCN vans), and helping to fill a gap in services, while minimizing the cost to Northumberland residents. The goal for the Stretcher Service is to provide a dignified mode of transportation, with the hope of lessening the wait time for transport, including transportation to Ed’s House Northumberland Hospice Care Centre.

The early success of CCN’s Stretcher Transfer Service to date is measurable. So far (in less than 6 months), CCN has provided a total of 40 stretcher trips, including:

• 19 to Ed's House Northumberland Hospice Care Centre.

• 2 to The Bridge Hospice in Warkworth.

• 3 to Warkworth Place Long Term Care Facility.

• 16 for CCN Home at Last program helping people home from the hospital.

• Additionally, CCN has also provided 9 wheelchair transfers to Ed's House.

With the addition of stretchers to our transportation program, we are able to ensure clients get affordable and timely transfers that honours their wishes. The importance of the program is illustrated in the story of “Jeannie”. She was offered a bed at hospice, but the wait time for transfer by another provider was more than 36 hours and much more than her limited financial resources could cover. CCN was able to immediately schedule and transport her within an hour of receiving the request, at a much-reduced rate ($75), saving her several hundreds of dollars. She was able to be offered comfort measures for her pain immediately, and her family is forever grateful they were able to fulfill her final wishes to die at hospice.

Trish Baird, CEO of CNN comments, “We are very proud to build on our accomplishments so far and grow the service. It is nice to know that we can help lessen wait times and family burden, while at the same time, help individuals in Northumberland County receive this service in a responsive, reliable, and affordable manner.”

A huge thank you goes to Selena Forsyth and Northumberland United Way for helping get this vital service off the ground and supporting older adults in our community through CCN’s In-Home Services.

Ms. Forsyth comments, “I am so happy that residents and their loved ones can access the Stretcher Service locally. When I first heard that CCN would be able to retrofit their vans with a donation, I knew this is where I wanted my donation to go.”

Furthermore, when combined with CCN’s Home at Last (HAL) program, Heather Marriot, CCN Manager of In-Home Services explains, “The new service provides a much needed local and affordable ‘Stretcher Service’ for Northumberland residents. This major cost savings for our ‘Home at Last’ program will allow us to service more hospital patients transitioning home safely and in a timely manner."

Bobby-Jo Preston, CCN Manager of Transportation, adds, “Clients and their families are very appreciative of the service and care that they received, from making their first call to the moment they arrived at their location.” For further information, please feel free to contact CCN at 1-866-5145774, CCN Home at Last at 1-866-991-7497 or CCN Transportation at 1-866-768-7778.

Meghan SB

Steve, Thank you for showcasing the beauty of our Trent Hills with your music, your videos, your photos and your example. Thanks for being awesome! We will remember your ‘Dagg-Charm’ and will see you again sometime in the future!

Montse

Passionate, caring, talented and devoted to his family, friends, and career. Taken too soon from all who have had the pleasure and honor to call him, Dad, Shmoopy, son, friend or coworker. You are missed, but you were loved, and your legacy will carry on for generations. True immortality in your lineage and work.

Kristy Duc Emond

Certainly was a delightful guy to meet and chat with at Westben. He and his ability will be missed.

Alec Dewdney

Steve was such a great community partner/supporter. He and his talents will be missed! RIP.

Kimberly Hulsman

Those of you who were lucky enough to have met Steve Dagg… well, you just know! He was magical. We worked together at Westben and on this newspaper for which he donated his time to do more covers than I can remember. In fact, every time I needed a photographer or videographer, there was no hesitation… I went straight to Steve. It’s not just because he was so so talented, but because he was the BEST. A good person to the core, patient and kind, fun and funny and (perhaps most importantly) silly. Anyone who has the nickname Shmoopy has to be! You just wanted to be around him. The brightest stars burn fast, and while he is gone too soon, his light will live on. Shine on, you crazy diamond.

Nikki Fotheringham

Steve was the incredibly sensitive and gentle master behind the camera for virtually countless Westben projects as well as many throughout the community. He shot all our Digital Concerts, Dare to Share spotlights, and several marketing pieces as well. He also took a myriad of incredible still shots of performances, audiences, artists and the grounds. Part of Steve’s magic touch was the incredible ability to get at the essence of his subjects; capturing not only their authenticity, but also their best! Somehow, he was able to get so close without getting in anyone’s way. He did this by making his subjects feel safe and comfortable. He was astounding! Thank you Steve for sharing your love, music, talents and life with Westben and the whole community

Donna Bennett (Westben)

Stephen, our nephew and godson - but oh so much more than that, enriching our lives immeasurably since the day he was born.

Auntie Linda & Uncle Terry. Terry Harman

Such a kind gentle soul… he will be missed. Love to Kim and the girls.

Kelly Parks

The Goats are sad to report that our friend and drummer Steve Dagg has passed away. He fought a tough battle with cancer, but is now at rest. We offer love and support to his family at this time as we all process this great loss. You will be missed my friend.

Ken Tizzard

If you looked up family in a dictionary, you would see a picture of Steve, Kim & the girls. Always a smile and a friendly hello. Our sincere condolences to Kim & the girls. J.R. (Jim) & Jo

Steve Dagg is my brother-in-law. He was an extraordinary person. I want to thank everyone who has reached out and given support, or even just a kind word to my sister Kim and the girls in this difficult time. He will be greatly missed by all.

Jason Davidson

The outpouring of emotion from those who knew and loved Steve, solidifies the fact that Steve was as special as they get. May his light continue to shine through our memories of him and the good times we shared. Love, The Merrons.

It was a leap of faith moving here 6+ years ago. We had loved our time in Toronto, but we knew our time there was done. We were open to where to live, as long as it was East, (closer to my family) and close enough to Toronto for Steve’s work. A friend had mentioned they had recently bought a place in Campbellford and that was literally the first time we had heard about this town that would soon become our home.

When we moved, Steve was still working 3-4 days/week in Toronto as a cameraman for City TV. He was experiencing the best of both worlds- getting his feet wet to small town living while still living the city life. To be honest, he struggled for a while to let go of the city that was so exciting and so very familiar. Even after moving here, Steve wasn’t sure he could be happy here. Would he find enough work or forever commute? Would our kids still have all the opportunities city life could provide? And would he find his people?

Not long after moving here, Steve made his way to the local pub one Wednesday night where he had heard there was live music by a guy named Ken Tizzard. The following week he was walking back into that pub with his drum set in hand. From that day on he had a regular gig doing one of the things he loved most - playing drums! And that Ken Tizzard guy quickly became one of Steve’s closest friends here.

And it wasn’t long until Steve started landing work locally. As word quickly spread about his remarkable talent behind the lens, the demand for his work grew. So much so that he could let go of his City TV role and no longer have to commute regularly to the city. Through his freelance work, Steve was fortunate to travel the globe with his camera. He traveled to multiple countries in Africa, Bangladesh, all of Central and South America and more. When he wasn’t traveling you most likely found him at Westben. Steve became the theaters official videographer/photographer, working alongside Brian and Donna who he adored, capturing beautifully the talent that entered through those barn doors. Landing a gig like this, right here in the town he was living, felt like winning the lottery. Several times he was fortunate enough to even perform on stage at Westben. This town gave him the opportunity to live out both his passions!

While Steve’s career flourished here, so did his love for the area. We spent our free time exploring the trails in Ferris with our girls, Frankie and Jolene and our three-legged dog named Charlie. In the summer, we would swim or paddle every day in the Trent that we are fortunate enough to have right in our backyard. Steve was a cyclist and started exploring the beauty of Trent Hills by bike. And any opportunity we had we would spend it with the friends we made here. The community that we are fortunate enough to be a part of was what sealed the deal. We found our people.

Steve left this world too early. I feel like he was just getting started. What happened to him is so cruel. So unfair. I shared this with Steve in his last days. In true Dagg-style, Steve reminded me of how full his life had been. How much he had lived. How fortunate he was. Steve loved his life and made the most of his short time here. What saddened Steve the most was leaving me and his girls behind. But I do know he died having comfort knowing that his girls are going to grow up in such a magical place. He took comfort knowing his girls were in nature with endless places to explore. Steve had comfort knowing we are part of a community that looked out for each other.

It may have taken Steve a little while but there is not a doubt that Steve called Trent Hills ‘home’. Thank You Steve