This article was first published by CollingwoodToday, a Village Media publication.
The mayor of the Municipality of West Grey has declared a state of emergency over the looming loss of hospital beds in Durham.
On May 28, in a statement published on the West Grey website, Mayor Kevin Eccles announced he was declaring a state of emergency over the hospital situation.
The statement says the mayor declared the emergency after consulting with the West Grey emergency control group “due to the imminent removal of the in-patient beds from the Durham Hospital and concerns regarding public safety.”
“While the decision to make this declaration was not made lightly, given the actions of South Bruce Grey Health Centre (SBGHC), it is vital that we take these drastic measures to safeguard the residents of West Grey and neighbouring communities," said Eccles.
In April, SBGHC – the corporation that runs hospitals in Chesley, Durham, Kincardine and Walkerton – announced that by June 3 the Durham hospital’s 10 in-patient beds would be transferred to Kincardine and Walkerton (73 km and 30 km away from Durham respectively).
The hospital corporation’s announcement set off protests across West Grey with citizens and local leaders expressing concerns about the future of the hospital. “Save our hospital” signs have sprung up across West Grey in response to the potential loss of the beds.
Last week, the West Grey mayor announced a Toronto law firm has been hired to pursue legal action in an effort to stop the transfer of the beds.
Grey County council has requested an immediate meeting with Health Minister Sylvia Jones over the situation.
“These measures were implemented due to the response of our stakeholder’s concerns and the lack of action from the bodies responsible for the delivery of this essential human right,” concludes the West Grey statement.
A spokesperson for Jones said she has been in touch with the mayor and local MPP, and the ministry is working with the hospital and Ontario Health.
“We will continue to work with South Bruce Grey Health Centre (SBGHC) leadership as they navigate their decision to focus the Durham hospital’s role delivering primary and urgent care," said Hannah Jensen. "Our government will be there to support consistent and reliable care, through primary and urgent care, by ensuring it remains available in Durham and surrounding communities, especially as we head into summer months."
