On Aug. 5, the community action group will be presenting to the South West LHIN in Newbury.
As we present our arguments for keeping our ER open 24/7, we hope that the LHIN will be mindful of the wait times recently reported and the need for the Ontario Ministry of Health to increase funding to improve these times.
We are very fortunate to have such an excellent emergency department (ED) where we can be seen relatively quickly compared to the 20 hours reported in a London Free Press article on Thursday, July 22.
Stratford wait times also are very lengthy and will undoubtedly increase as we now will have to travel to their ED for care between the hours of 12 and 8 a.m.
We have been constantly encouraged by the Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance and Dr. Fred Jewson to call 911 when we feel we need to go to emergency.
We hope that the LHIN will see that by calling 911 each time a patient that normally would have been taken to the ED by a relative or friend, now will be using the EMS to be transported to Stratford or to London and will increase the number of patients to these facilities that already appear not able to serve their own communities efficiently.
We will be discussing how many acute care beds will be left and what plans the HPHA has for our hospital as the HPHA has not clearly defined this aspect of the vision.
We also will be discussing how the proposed changes at St. Marys Memorial Hospital will affect its future. We too will be discussing the impact these changes will have on St. Marys’ growth, industry, senior population and possible increases in taxes as the town will partially be responsible for the increases cost as EMS is used more due to the closure between 12 and 8 a.m.
We encourage you to keep contacting John Wilkinson, MPP, and the South West LHIN with your concerns.
If you would like a sign for your lawn or a t-shirt, contact Jen Henderson at 349-2325.
It is making a difference!


Community Action Group