Hospital survey results March 20, 2017.  (Photo by Paul Pedro)Hospital survey results March 20, 2017. (Photo by Paul Pedro)
Chatham

Hospital Reform Meeting October 19

The Chatham-Kent Health Coalition wants to hear your ideas about hospital reform.

Chair Shirley Roebuck says two meetings are being held October 19 in Chatham and Wallaceburg to discuss how hospitals can be revitalized and how cuts have reduced access to services.

Roebuck says there's a need to hear what's good about the health care system and what needs improvement.

"We want to do this because we think that the provincial government has failed in getting public input into how they're changing our health care system," says Roebuck.

Roebuck applauds the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance for pursuing a satellite dialysis service and more ambulatory services at the Wallaceburg Hospital, and wanting to replace the aging building over the next 20 years.

The October 19 meetings are at St Clair College's Thames Campus Arena between 3pm and 5pm and at the Wallaceburg Legion from 6pm until 8pm.

Roebuck says public consultation and input is desperately needed.

"Ontario now has the third lowest number of hospital beds in the country. There's a waiting list for long term care beds of 30,000 people. Home care is in shambles," Roebuck says.

Roebuck says health coalitions across Ontario are gathering input to tell the province what people are demanding.

"We want our elected officials or those who hope to become our elected officials know exactly what people want in hospital care," says Roebuck.

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