About a year ago I made a presentation to Meaford Council about the government plan to
further privatize our health services. The hospital in Minden had been closed a few months
before and I asked the question, “ Which small rural hospital will be closed next with no
community consultation?” Well, we have our answer. Durham hospital has, in effect been
closed.
Last week the CEO announced that all 10 in patient beds would be moved to Walkerton and
Kincardine. She said that there would still be emergent/urgent care from 7:30 – 5 pm and no
staff positions would be lost.
If a hospital does not have an emergency department it is no longer a hospital and the blue “H”
sign comes down. Does emergent/urgent care mean emergency department? Does emergent/
urgent care equate to being a hospital? It seems to me that the definition of a hospital is being
changed in order to justify the removal of traditional hospital services such as in patient beds.
Will there be doctors there? Will doctors want to work there? With no inpatient beds, after
June 3, what happens when someone needs to be admitted? I guess they go by ambulance to
another hospital. Ambulance services will need to increase or response times will increase for
the area. Is this better care for people closer to home as the announcement claims? I think not.
This sounds to me like the emergent/urgent care will be like a walk-in clinic. Knowing that you
may need to be admitted I think people will be inclined to travel to another hospital (with real
beds) if they think their loved one may need admission. That would result in a much lower use
of the Durham emergent/urgent care unit. Seems to me it won’t be long before that unit is
closed because of greatly diminished use. That eventuality would definitely be the end of
Durham Hospital only then the CEO can say it was due to a lack of need.
Of course, I could be wrong. However, I have watched this government make behind the
scenes moves and manipulations before to manufacture what they want.
My question remains, “ What small rural hospital will be next to close?” Perhaps one of these
six: Meaford, Wiarton, Southhampton, Markdale, Lions Head, Owen Sound. A few can be
logically excluded – Markdale’s new hospital just opened, Owen Sound is a Regional Hospital,
Wiarton and Lion’s Head both serve the same area. Will they keep two for the Bruce
Peninsula? Southhampton recently received more beds. That leaves Meaford. I surmise
enough! Just remember there has been no community consultation or prior notice in Minden
or Durham. Where does our MPP, Rick Byers stand on this concern? Is he an advocate to
maintain and improve rural health services?
The Grey Bruce Health Coalition is holding a peaceful rally, on Sat. May 11, at City Hall, in
Owen Sound, from 9-noon. It is called, “Rally to Save Healthcare.” We want to spread the
word and be heard by government. There will be speakers, leaflets, letter writing and more.
Why not plan to attend, ask questions and say no to public health care cuts and underfunding.
Hope to see you there with your sign or you can use one of ours as long as numbers last.
Norah Beatty
Co-chair, Grey Bruce Health Coalition
norah@greybrucehc.ca