CKHA Chief Operating Officer Sarah Padfield. (BlackburnNews.com file photo)
CKHA Chief Operating Officer Sarah Padfield. (BlackburnNews.com file photo)
Chatham

CKHA Not Aware Of ER Bailout

CKHA officials say they haven't heard about any new conversations with the Ministry of Health regarding the future of Wallaceburg's emergency room.

Health Critic France Gelinas says the Wynne Government has committed to keeping the Sydenham District Hospital Emergency Department open, but the CKHA has yet to hear about additional help for the ER.

"There have been no direct conversations that I'm aware of between the ministry and hospital administration or clinical leadership," says CKHA Chief Operating Officer Sarah Padfield.

In a written statement to BlackburnNews.com, Health Minister Eric Hoskins states "there are no plans whatsoever to close the hospital's Emergency Department." Padfield adds if there have been discussions on the topic, CKHA admins haven't been a part of them.

"We're continuing to work with the boards of the alliance as best we can," says Padfield. "Our conversations are with the [Erie St. Clair] LHIN, so the conversations between the LHIN and the ministry are really between those two organizations."

Hoskins adds the CKHA will be receiving $2.1 million in operational funding in 2016/2017, a 2% increase from last year.

But Padfield adds those funds need to consider all hospital services and programs, and not just Wallaceburg's Emergency Department.

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