Counties concerned over EOHU office cuts

The mayors of Prescott-Russell are worried about how provincial budgeting plans may be affecting regional health unit office maintenance.

Counties council reviewed and approved its support for this year’s budget proposal from the Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU). That approval also covers the United Counties of Prescott-Russell’s (UCPR) contribution of about $1.3 million to the support funding for the EOHU.

“We are the biggest population area,” said Warden Gary Barton, “and so the biggest funder.”

The provincial government still provides the lion’s share of support funds for the EOHU, at about $9.4 million this year, through the cost-sharing agreement it has with regional health units. The UCPR is next in line for financial aid to the EOHU, followed by the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry (UCSDG) at about $1 million for this year’s health unit $12.5 million budget. The City of Cornwall is the remaining contributor at about $740,000 this year.

Warden Barton and other mayors ex- L’unité régionale de santé dispose d’un nouveau budget opérationnel. Le conseil des comtés s’inquiète de la façon dont les réductions de l’aide financière provinciale vont affecter l’exploitation des bureaux régionaux des services de santé dans Prescott-Russell.

pressed concern about how funding cuts throughout the provincial budget may be affecting the EOHU’s own operations. Barton noted that the EOHU is making some changes in its overall office hours and staffing plans though it will continue to provide all of its existing services as usual.

“There will continue to be a presence in

the municipalities where there is an (EOHU) office,” Barton said. “No services will be cut.”

He noted that the EOHU’s outlying offices may see some reduction in open office hours. Hawkesbury Mayor Jeanne Charlebois expressed concern, adding that her community’s EOHU office sees a great deal of use from the municipality’s seniors sector.