Over fifty people showed up last night for a public meeting on bed closures in the Huron Perth Health Care Alliance.
The topic of discussion drew emotional responses at times as people spoke about how they believe the changes are going to impact them and their families.
The HPHA plans to close 17 beds by mid-November in a move towards specialized hospitals and away from general hospitals.
Stratford General Hospital CEO Andrew Williams was in the crowd and he repeated his statement that the proposed realignment has nothing to do with funding constraints.
Natalie Mehra from the Ontario Health Coalition disagrees.
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Mehra says moving services into the community is a way for hospitals and governments to get around the Canada Health Act.
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Mehra says the funding model for health care across the province is hurting rural Ontario and seniors the most.
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Mehra says local citizens should watch out for words like ‘realignment’ in health care policy.
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The Ontario Health Coalition is organizing locally with petitions, letter writing and protests to stop the cuts.
For more information, you can contact Mehra at [email protected] or 416-441-2502.
You can also go to the Ontario Health Coalition’s website.
