Dear Editor,
It was with keen interest that I read a recent article, “Journey on a Gurney, From Admission to Discharge: A Hospital’s Journey, One Gurney at a Time”, by Andrea Roylance (November 14, 2024 print edition). After retirement my husband and I settled in Meaford, one of the reasons being the hospital. However, I now fear for the future of our hospital and healthcare system.
The cutbacks to healthcare by the current Ford government and their misleading statements are the cause of healthcare disruption and rural hospitals seem to be especially under attack. The Ontario government claims to have made historic investments in health but they are actually cutting investment and have funded Ontario hospitals at the lowest per capita rate in Canada. The government recently announced a 3.1% base funding increase to hospitals. Ann Ford, CEO of Brightshores’ six hospitals, welcomed the increase but a Sun Times article reports her as saying, “It really doesn’t even cover Consumer Price Index and inflation.” In June, Brightshores had still not been reimbursed by the government to enable them to cover wage inflation caused by the declaration of Bill 124 wage restraint legislation being unconstitutional. For the fiscal year 2023 – 2024 the Owen Sound hospital has a deficit of more than $10 million. Last year over 100 hospitals, mainly small rural hospitals, had deficits and many had to cut services and face possible closure because of lack of funding and increasing costs. Chesley, Durham, Hanover, Seaforth, and may other small Ontario hospitals have experienced many, many temporary or permanent Emergency Room hour reductions and closures. The only service left at Durham hospital is an emergent/urgent care unit open 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. Its beds have all been moved to Kincardine and Walkerton. The lack of primary care means there are fewer doctors available to keep small hospital ERs functioning. This is unprecedented in our history! Rural communities are being pitted against one another to attract doctors, nurses and hospital beds. These problems persist as Premier Ford relentlessly denies problems and pursues his defund, destroy and privatize agenda.
Communities, doctors, nurses and all hospital workers love their hospital. It is individuals, Hospital Auxiliaries, and Foundations who have organized, donated, and raised funds to support their hospital. Did you know that every sheet, bed, towel, piece of medical equipment, bandage, needle, etcetera, was funded by donations? The government helps fund the building with our taxes but the community truly owns their hospital. We need it in order to uphold the promises of the Canada Health Act and maintain public healthcare.
Albina Haddow, Meaford
