Perth-Wellington MPP Randy Pettapiece is keeping up his fight to keep long-term care beds in the Stratford area.
He introduced a motion Wednesday that calls on the province to halt consideration of the bed transfer proposal until the government fixes its process and the metrics used to evaluate such proposals.
In April, Revera Living Inc. announced its application to transfer up to 50 long-term care beds from Hillside Manor in Perth East to London.
That move prompted hundreds to turn out to two public meetings, and hundreds of letters, emails and phone calls to Pettapiece’s office.
Pettapiece explained Wednesday that his motion is a tool he can use to trigger a debate in the legislature. That debate is expected November 30.
His motion closely mirrors the requests submitted by the County of Perth. In its submission to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, the county’s letter referenced the growing number of local seniors; the added strain of fewer beds on local health care providers; added strain on families to make long drives to see their loved ones; and local job losses, among other issues.
"We won’t stand for taking long-term care beds out of our area," Pettapiece said. "Many homes in Perth-Wellington already have long waiting lists. We need to add new beds, not take away the ones we already have."
Randy Pettapiece, MPP for Perth-Wellington.
(BlackburnNews.com photo)