With the news that the Erie St. Clair Local Health Integration Network and former CEO Gary Switzer have gone their separate ways, comes the hope that the organization may now take some steps to answer concerns about the mess in local health care administration.
In no particular order we’d like to know:
1) Did the LHIN ever receive a previous plan from the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance on the closure of Sydenham District Hospital emergency department?
CKHA officials said earlier this year the LHIN was aware of its plans but health minister Eric Hoskins said neither he nor the LHIN had any indication of plans to close the ER. What’s the truth?
2) Is the LHIN going to address the issue of safety at the Sydenham Campus? Senior officials of the CKHA publicly stated doctors wouldn’t work at the site because it’s unsafe.
This statement remains unchallenged and hasn’t been withdrawn by hospital administrators. If the LHIN isn’t willing to clarify such a basic question about health care, what is its purpose?
3) At what point is the LHIN prepared to step in and examine the actions of the tri-board, which has been inactive for months due to the actions of the PGH and St. Joseph’s boards who refuse to meet?
4) What is the amount spent to date on legal fees by those two boards and SDH boards on the issue?
5) Why did the Sydenham campus lose its designation as a small rural hospital? Was it requested? By whom?
6) In view of the premier and health minister’s guarantee that the Sydenham emergency department will remain open, are St. Joseph’s and PGH boards and hospital management free to ignore the ministry’s stand in its plan to close the SDH ER? Who has the ultimate power: the premier, health minister, and LHIN or the PGH and St. Joseph’s boards and hospital administrators?
7) With both Chatham and Wallaceburg boards making separate plans for health care, what is the LHIN procedure for submitting those for provincial approval?
We’re aware that answers may upset the closed-door mentality of some of the principals.
We’re of the belief that public confidence in the system supersedes the wishes of the few who prefer secrecy.
Public answers are in order.
Enquiring minds would like to know. We have heard from just about everyone except the LHIN. I suspect we will hear nothing.
Switser bailing ?
Cant help wonder why now ?
The reason we are in this mess is because the PGH and St. Joseph’s boards refused to recognize the needs of the outlying comunities and took the aproach that we were a metropolitan rather a rual community. We need a decetralized way of doing things. Offering more services to the outlying communites such as Ridgetown, Blenheim, Merlin just to name a few as well as Wallaceburg. We have been putting our eggs all in the same basket and getting farther and farther into debt as well as fewer services. It is plain to see the current aragement does not work and that all sides can figure this problem out.
The Ontario Health Coalition was very critical of the PGH and St.Joseph boards and discribed the situation in Chatham-Kent the worst of all the places they have been holding meetings which is extensive. I believe there should be an independent review by the Ombusman.
WOW; Good legit questions that sholuld be answered. Highly paid beuracrats who remain silent, and will not commit themselves, or who do not have a clue as to what there responsabilities are.