Coalition being ‘extra vigilant’ to combat hospital cuts
Niagara Health Coalition fears direction handed down by Premier Doug Ford across the province may result in a loss of services at Welland hospital.
Tonight, the grassroots group under the umbrella of the Ontario Health Coalition that’s also affiliated with the Save the Welland Hospital campaign, will host a committee meeting to discuss the future of health care in the Rose City.
“We need to be extra vigilant and raise awareness, educate people that this is really serious,” said coalition chair Sue Hotte.
According to the Ontario Council of Hospital Unions, Ford’s proposed cuts will equate $22 billion, part of efficiencies the province has said need to be addressed, following recent planning for prosperity consultation, a three-week online engagement with Ontarians.
The program is designed to give the residents of Ontario the opportunity to rank the importance and effectiveness of a range of government services, says a press release from the province.
“While there is no doubt that there are some administrative efficiencies to be found, there is simply no way they add up to $22 billion, an amount that would be the deepest cuts ever,” said Ontario Health Coalition executive director Natalie Mehra, comparing these figures to the $13 billion in cuts made by former Conservative premier Mike Harris in his first four years of office.
Although no such announcement or implication has been made about specific steps or a reduction in hospital services through the Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant Local Health Integration Network, or Niagara Health, Hotte feels it is a possibility in the near future in Welland.
“We really need to make sure that everyone realizes the importance of keeping an eye on it,” she said Wednesday.
“This is a full-service hospital and we want to make sure it stays that way,” she added.
During the election campaign, Ford committed to keeping the hospital in Welland open during a stop in Niagara.
In fall 2017, the provincial Liberals said it remained committed to a new hospital in Niagara Falls and keeping Welland open.
Tonight’s public event starts at 6:30 at Welland city hall.