For Immediate Release
April 30, 2009

Barrett joins call – hands off our hospitals!

Queen’s Park – Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett joined members of the Opposition and 2,000 protestors outside Queens Park in demanding the McGuinty Government protect hospital services in Ontario.

“Given the fact that government is sticking its hand in their pockets at this time of year, every year, under the auspices of paying for health services, those people outside wanted to know where those services were and why those same services were either under threats of closure or, in some cases, had actually been shut down,” Barrett stated once back inside the Legisature. “Norfolk County learned that beginning April 1 Norfolk General Hospital would have to implement a number of strategies to eliminate an operating deficit of $1.2-million.

“Regrettably, our local hospital had to look at bed closures, service cuts, including the discontinuation of an outpatient nutritional counselling program, as well as a very popular and long-term program known as the cardiac club….”

Barrett went on to describe the situation in the east end of the riding.
“As well, over in Haldimand county the concern grows as the rumour mill escalates every day about the potential of the emergency department closure at West Haldimand General Hospital,” Barrett reported. “This comes as a result of a LHIN clinical services review process that has just been initiated.”

The Haldimand Norfolk MPP then read from a letter he wrote to the Minister of Health with regard to the WHGH situation April 9th:

"Whatever changes or investments are called for in this review process, Haldimand area residents wish to participate in that process. However, they want assurances that the emergency services they, their family and their neighbours depend on will not be going away under LHIN/provincial direction."

Barrett awaits a response from the Minister.

His comments were part of the Opposition Day motion calling on the McGuinty Government to, “acknowledge the needs of Ontario’s growing communities and our aging population and develop a plan to address growing hospital volumes, protect patients’ services, prevent nurses from being fired and address growing hospital deficits.”

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