ER a ‘necessity’

Dear Editor:

RE: Louise Marshall emergency department closed Saturday, Dec. 12.

Apparently we can’t keep the emergency department at Louise Marshall Hospital in Mount Forest open 24/7/365, even though it is vital to our town!

The closing on Dec. 7 was attributed to “a staffing shortage.” Then hire more staff.

Wellington North is quite eager to spend millions of dollars on a fancy (not necessary) swimming pool, but appears to be reluctant to contribute more to our hospital.

The hospital should be open 365 days a year; the emergency department is a necessity for everyone.

An outdoor swimming pool would be open roughly May 24 to Sept. 30, so about 129 days per year weather permitting, and only used by a handful of taxpayers if they still have their health.

Mike Kelly,
Mount Forest

*Editor’s note: Generally speaking, health care is the responsibility of the provincial government, not municipal governments.