Erie Shores Healthcare in Leamington October 29. 2014 file photo. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)Erie Shores Healthcare in Leamington October 29. 2014 file photo. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)
Chatham

Save Obstetrics Pleads MPP

Saying a decision to close the obstetrics program at Leamington District Memorial Hospital puts healthcare and economic recovery at risk, Chatham-Kent-Essex MPP Rick Nicholls is urging the province to step in and save it.

"Keep in mind minister, Leamington is still reeling from the massive job losses that hit this community earlier this year," Nicholls said during Question Period Thursday. "This places Leamington's economic recovery in jeopardy."

The hospital's board of directors plans to close the unit as of March 31, but the decision still needs the approval of the Erie St.Clair Local Health Integration Network. There's a public meeting November 12 at the Roma Club in Leamington to discuss the closure and other changes at the hospital.

However, Nicholls says the public's trust in the LHIN is shaky. "This LHIN has cut $2-million in funding to LDMH." Last month, hospital officials cited a cut in funding as part of the reason it is realigning services.

Health Minister Dr. Eric Hoskins rebuffed Nicholls' request saying the number of deliveries isn't sufficient to maintain the program. "Roughly half of the women in Leamington currently are choosing to deliver at Windsor Regional Hospital." Statistics from the hospital also suggest 84% of Kingsville mothers are delivering in Windsor.

Hoskins also deflected concerns that the province is neglecting rural healthcare saying his government just announced a new hospital in the riding of Bruce-Gray-Owen Sound.

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