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Health Care |
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December 6, 2006 The
Honourable George Smitherman Dear Minister Smitherman: The Ontario Public Service Employees Union represents more than 30,000 health care workers in the province, including support staff at the Stevenson Memorial Hospital in Alliston. On November 29th the hospital called a community meeting to discuss a proposal to cease providing birthing at the hospital. In their proposal, they plan to rotate obstetricians from Southlake Hospital in Newmarket for pre and post natal care, but the actual births would be transferred to Newmarket. The hospital announced that this transfer could take place as soon as December 15, 2006. In 2005, you stated that any hospital with a low volume of births would lose its obstetrics department. Given Stevenson intends to eliminate any births at the hospital, the alternate plan they have put forward is not one likely to have much of a future. This transfer is contrary to the Central LHIN’s Integrated Health Service Plan, which states its rural strategy is to “ensure that people who live in rural areas have equitable access to services, given the unique challenges posed by distance, low population density and other factors common to rural life.” Further, the community was not consulted on this plan until after it had been submitted to the Ministry of Health for approval. At the November 29th meeting, it was clear that the community is overwhelmingly opposed to the hospital’s plan. More than 300 people crammed into a room meant for 200, and outside in the parking lot others listened in through the windows opened to ventilate the room. To proceed with this plan is to question the Ministry’s commitment to meaningful community consultation. While the LHINs will not be in a position to implement integration orders until April 2007, we believe the hospital is violating the spirit of the Act, attempting to circumvent the coming requirements by getting ahead of the April, 2007 deadline. It is clear that this transfer of services fits Bill 36’s description of an integration. Under the legislation, a period of notice would be required and the public would have an opportunity for formal input on the integration decision. The shifting reasons for the termination of this service would suggest a haste that may not be entirely necessary. While staffing reasons are often cited, the hospital is not presently trying to replace or attract new obstetricians to the facility. During the meeting the community raised significant concerns about the hospital’s efforts in this regard. If the facility should lose its remaining obstetrician, it may take away the ability of midwives in the area to perform home births, as the nearest facility would be more than 30 minutes away. It was also clear at the meeting that women who are not presently giving birth at Stevenson are going elsewhere because of the hospital’s inability to provide needed services. This is not a matter of choice, as the hospital administration states. We are asking the Ministry to either implement an immediate moratorium on integrations until such time as the LHINs are able to fulfill their obligations under the Act, or order the hospitals to follow the notice and public input provisions until such time as the LHIN can carry out this function. Sincerely, Leah Casselman, President cc. Ken
Morrison, Chair, Central LHIN |
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Ontario Public Service Employees Union, 100 Lesmill Rd. Toronto, ON M3B 3P8 (416) 443-8888 www.opseu.org |
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