FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHY IS MINDEN ER CLOSING?

Haliburton Highlands Health Services (HHHS) announced the closure of the Minden ER on April 20th, 2023, citing a reported shortage of healthcare professionals. The plan is to consolidate emergency and in-patient services at the Haliburton Hospital.

WHEN IS THE MINDEN ER SCHEDULED TO CLOSE?

The Minden ER is scheduled to close on June 1, 2023, just six weeks after the announcement and at the beginning of the peak season when the population of the county triples due to cottagers and tourists.

WHAT ARE THE MAIN CONCERNS OF STAKEHOLDERS AND THE COMMUNITY?

Stakeholders and the community have expressed concerns about the lack of transparency and consultation in the decision-making process and the impact on vulnerable populations, healthcare staff, regional growth, and local infrastructure. They are also concerned about increased emergency response times and the potential compromise of high-quality patient care.

WHAT ACTIONS ARE STAKEHOLDERS TAKING TO ADDRESS THE CONCERNS?

Stakeholders from across Ontario are demanding an urgent public meeting with the CEO and Board Chair of HHHS to address their concerns. They want full transparency on the decision-making process, an immediate reassessment of the closure's timing, and access to the organization's transition plan. Concerned residents, visitors and citizens across Ontario and beyond are contacting their elected officials, expressing their issues with the announcement, along with implications for Haliburton — and beyond.

HOW HAS THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT RESPONDED TO THE CLOSURE ANNOUNCEMENT?

Minden Hills Mayor Bob Carter and Deputy Mayor Lisa Schell have criticized HHHS and its board for the lack of consultation on the decision to close the Minden ER. “We had zero consultation and input into this,” Mayor Carter said. They have also questioned how management and the board operate.

WHAT IS THE POSITION OF THE ONTARIO NURSES' ASSOCIATION (ONA) ON THE CLOSURE?

The ONA's interim president, Bernadette (Bernie) Robinson, has expressed concerns that the closure of Minden's ER will put the lives of Ontarians needing emergency care at greater risk and leave those in the area with less access to emergency care. The ONA believes that the closure is likely to occur at more Ontario hospitals if the province continues to fail to take meaningful action to retain and recruit nurses.

WHAT IS THE PERSPECTIVE OF LOCAL EMS PROFESSIONALS?

Closing the Minden Hospital could have significant implications for EMS professionals, resulting in longer response times, potentially compromising patient outcomes, and causing increased mental and physical stress on first responders.

HOW DOES THE CLOSURE OF MINDEN HOSPITAL RELATE TO BROADER PUBLIC HEALTHCARE CONCERNS IN ONTARIO?

Critics argue that the staffing shortage and public health crisis are created by the government's policies promoting private for-profit clinics, which are taking staff from public hospitals. The Minden ER could be another victim of the government's pursuit to create a crisis and privatize public health care in Ontario.

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