In June, the Huron Perth Health Alliance board voted unanimously to accept all aspects of Vision 2013. The members of our Local Advisory Committee and our local representatives on the HPHA board were instrumental in this Vision being passed.
This decision was made without any regard for local input and the wishes of St. Marys and area residents. There were over 3,000 names on a petition saying they wished the ER to be open 24/7.
Andrew Williams told us over and over that he welcomed community input. If he welcomed it so, why did he not listen to any of it? All the forums and solution meetings were a waste of time and money.
It is high time the HPHA was honest and up front with their information. Promised minutes from last September and from meetings in May in Mitchell and Clinton have yet to be received by those who attended.
Dr. Caroyln Barrett, the Liberal health critic, who spoke last Friday at the Westover Inn, said access to ER and other services within a reasonable time and distance were to be available to all communities in Ontario.
It appears that after listening to Ms. Barrett, that Andrew Williams has interpreted the directive from the Liberal government in a way that suits him and does not fulfill the principles that are required.
He stated that it is a human resource issue that required the ER to be 16/7 rather than 24/7. He says that St. Marys only has one ER patient a month between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. who needed immediate care,  when in the Journal Argus, Feb. 24, he states that there were 8,500 unscheduled visits to the ER during February 2009 – January 2010.
St. Marys had three Level One visits (had to be seen immediately), Seaforth had zero, Stratford had eight and Clinton had two between the hours of 11 p.m. - 8 a.m. in a five-month period. So now he is giving Seaforth back a 24/7 ER for a period of undisclosed time. Does that make sense?
He has argued that you cannot attract young physicians to St. Marys, so how is he attracting them to Seaforth?
This is not just a fight for the ER but for saving a hospital that the HPHA seems to think is easily dispensable.
Industry leaders want a hospital with a 24/7 ER. Seniors choose St. Marys to live in because of the hospital service. Minor Sports want a hospital with a 24/7 ER.
On June 28 at 7 p.m. in the one-third room at the Pyramid Recreation Centre, another town hall meeting is being held. Natalie Mehra from the Ontario Health Coalition, as well as other guest speakers, will share how other communities have saved their hospital services. Please plan to attend. The final decision has not been made. Let’s stop it before it goes before the provincial government for approval.

Community Action Group