Local residents voice displeasure about hospital cuts at forum

Ontario Health Coalition travelling province to hear stories about struggling small hospitals

March 12, 2010

By Karen Lloyd

COBOURG -- As a retiree on a fixed income, Armindo Vieira says there is no way he can continue physiotherapy at the private level.

But that's exactly what this Port Hope resident faces should the Central East Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) approve the proposal from Northumberland Hills Hospital to cut its OHIP-funded rehabilitation department, along with long-term care beds, emergency services and nursing staff in an effort to balance its budget.

"What's going to happen to me?" Mr. Vieira asked, at the Ontario Health Coalition's small hospital forum, held Wednesday, at the Cobourg Lions Centre.

Mr. Vieira and about 70 others expressed their concerns before the OHC, an independent panel of current and retired health professionals, which is travelling the province talking to people in communities where major hospital cuts have taken place this year and next, due to inadequate provincial funding.

Cabinet-appointed LHINs are currently reviewing services at about 75 hospitals across Ontario with deficits, including NHH, and at the request of the provincial government, these hospitals are being forced to make up for the shortfall. While full plans for budget cuts are not yet public, emergency departments are closing, services are being privatized and health care workers are already being laid off across the province. Some hospitals have also increased fees for patients and their visitors.

Earlier this year, NHH revealed a $500,000 deficit for 2007/08, projected a $1 million deficit for 2008/09, and forecast a total capital and operating budget of more than $8 million by 2010. In an effort to get out of debt, the local hospital is looking at a number of options, including reducing the number of its long-term care beds, which at one time could occupy 137 patients. With the proposed cuts, this number will drop to 84.

"I'm most upset with what's going on," a visibly-angered Bill Patchett told the group of panelists.

Mr. Patchett was part of the team, which, nearly a decade ago, raised money for a hospital the community could take pride in, the same hospital that today, seems to be forcing its patients, staff and services into private care, he said.

Tara McKerroll, an RPN at the hospital, also faces a daunting future, as she and 45 other CUPE members, who provide everything from housekeeping services to clerical support, are slated for the chopping block.

"We find out next week," she said. "It's shocking."

Wednesday's gathering marked the coalition's fifth meeting on rural health care in response to what started off as a Minister's Panel on Rural and Northern Health Care, following a protest of more than 1,000 people at Queen's Park last year. But when the panel's mandate was released last fall, it did not contain the word 'hospital'. Further, the Ministry of Health refused to have the panel conduct public consultations.

Asked about staff morale at the hospital these days, the panel received a big thumbs down by group of CUPE members in the crowd.

Reacting to the announced service changes, local poverty activist Deb O'Connor expressed her clear distaste for the government's actions.

Speaking on behalf of those who live on fixed or insufficient incomes, and can't afford to pay out of pocket for health care, she said, "The system is designed by those who aren't hurting for money. Are we running our hospital to make a profit, or are we running our hospital for the needs of the people?"

Input gathered from the public hearing will form a report that will be delivered to Queens Park in April.