\u201cImproving access and connections in health care is another way we are putting people and patients first. I look forward to the panel\u2019s advice, as we work to provide better access to quality health care for the people of Scarborough and West Durham region.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dr. Eric Hoskins\u00a0 – Minister of Health and Long-Term Care<\/p>\n
When it comes to spending tax dollars at any level of government the one comment I hear over 99% of the time being told to politicians is \u201cYou better not waste my money\u2026.\u201d.<\/p>\n
In Scarborough we have two hospital systems: the Scarborough Hospital (General and Birchmount sites) and the Rouge Valley Health System (Centenary and Ajax\/Pickering sites).<\/p>\n
In 2013, the Central East Local Health Integration Network (CELHIN) initiated the \u201cFacilitated Integration Process\u201d to look at how the two hospital systems could work more closely together.<\/p>\n
The end result? The Board of Directors of both hospitals initially proposed a merger which would create the seventh largest hospital corporation in Ontario. The Rouge Valley Health System Board ultimately voted officially to proceed, and to the surprise of many, the Scarborough Hospital Board voted against the merger.<\/p>\n
20,000 residents gave their input through a website, telephone townhalls, online surveys, and community roundtables\u2026\u2026back to square one everyone went.<\/p>\n
Health Minister Deborah Matthew stated \u201c I still have some hope it will eventually happen.\u201d But she then went on to say her government would not force a merger. \u201cWe have seen examples where mergers were forced and decades later they are not working as one organization.\u201d<\/p>\n
http:\/\/www.thestar.com\/news\/queenspark\/2014\/03\/23\/ontario_health_minister_deb_matthews_wont_force_scarborough_hospital_merger.html<\/u><\/a><\/p>\n May, 2015\u2026.The Ministry of Health announced an Expert Health Panel to address infrastructure needs as well as improve access and integration of acute health care services in the Scarborough and West Durham region.<\/p>\n The guidelines set for the panel were to a develop a plan to address how hospitals in the region can work together to deliver acute health care programs and services in a way which meets the needs of local residents. It would provide recommendations on program and service integration, as well as infrastructure needs for both the Scarborough Hospital and the Rouge Valley Health System.<\/p>\n The final report and its recommendations can be found here:<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.health.gov.on.ca\/en\/news\/bulletin\/2015\/docs\/scarborough_west_durham_panel_20151218.pdf<\/u><\/a><\/p>\n The report has a date on the cover \u201cNovember 2, 2015\u201d\u2026.It was released publicly in the middle of December, 2015\u2026..<\/p>\n Bizarrely\u2026.amongst the report\u2019s many recommendations is one which breaks up the Rouge Valley Health System, and merges the Centenary site with the two Scarborough Hospital sites.\u00a0 The Ajax-Pickering site would join the Lakeridge Hospital.<\/p>\n It takes health care which has been advancing on a regional basis BACKWARDS to one which will follow the municipal boundaries of the City of Toronto and Durham Region.<\/p>\n It seems a peculiar recommendation considering Rouge Valley has worked very hard under the Ministry of Health to establish itself as a regional health care provider.\u00a0 With millions of dollars we achieved an integrated health care system\u2026.and probably many millions more of our tax dollars could be spent to take it all apart.<\/p>\n Education\u2026.transportation\u2026 economic development are but a few examples all being dealt with on a regional basis.\u00a0 Why treat our health care differently?<\/p>\n In a number of conversations I have had with governing M.P.P.s I have asked about the Expert Panel recommendations.\u00a0 The general answer is \u201cHealth care will be better\u201d.\u00a0 When I ask about specifics I continue to get \u201cHealth care will be better.\u201d<\/p>\n The Expert Panel Report on West Durham and Scarborough conclusions are incorrect and inconsistent with data:<\/p>\n NOT TRUE: The Rouge Valley Community is a functional and integrated health care community that DOES NOT divide on municipal boundaries.<\/p>\n NOT TRUE: The Regional Cardiac Care program has provided a clear and effective strategy for the effective and efficient delivery of regional services across the Central East LHIN.<\/p>\n NOT TRUE: The Central East LHIN has made very good progress in regionalization, transformation, with integration of multiple services including Cardiac Care, Thoracic Surgery, Vascular Surgery, Oncology, Nephrology and Diabetes.<\/p>\n The Rouge Valley Health System has demonstrated a commitment and exemplary contribution to CELHIN system transformation. Not just in cardiac care but for the system as a whole.<\/p>\n It is not just me who is very skeptical, and has a lot of questions about the basis of the recommendations, the process, and the ultimate goal of the Expert Panel.\u00a0 Physicians, other hospital staff, local residents, prominent business leaders from Scarborough and Durham have created a \u201cSave Our Hospital\u201d group to make sure concerned voices outside of the political realm get heard\u2026 and get the answers we all deserve!!<\/p>\n You can view the website here and also sign a petition of support if you feel as strongly as we do about the importance of our health care system:<\/p>\n\n
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