Rumours of local hospital closures need to be addressed, according to Wellington North Mayor Mike Broomhead.
He noted council had a recent meeting with local MPP John Wilkinson that included discussions on health care.
Then, an article came out in The Star with a list of hospitals which might close, “and Mount Forest was named. We’re doing more research into that,” he said. “Normally, as municipal politicians, we don’t get involved with health care, but it’s come to the stage now where it’s getting very worrisome to the whole community.”
He said council might need to take a more active role in keeping track of what is going on. While council generally does not have direct involvement, other than a councillor sitting as a member of the hospital board, Broomhead said it may be time for more action.
The April 30 Toronto Star article was actually a report on a rally for rural hospitals at Queen’s Park. That article stated “Other communities facing the possibility of hospital cuts or closures include Port Colborne, Durham Region, Wallaceburg, Quinte, Leamington, Mount Forest, Strathroy, Petrolia and St. Joseph Island near Sault Ste. Marie.”
Louise Marshall Hospital in Mount Forest is one of three rural hospitals included in the Waterloo-Wellington Local Health Integration Network.
Last week, during a presentation to Minto councillors, network Chief Executive Officer Sandra Hanmer was adamant that while the organizations role is to take an overall look at health care on a regional basis, no decisions or recommendations have been made.
