(October 3, 2017)<\/p>\n
By: Wallaceburg Courier Press Staff<\/p>\n
The Ontario Health Coalition is looking for public input on reforming public hospitals in the province.<\/p>\n
They will be hosting public meetings across the province, including a stop in Wallaceburg on Oct. 18.<\/p>\n
In a press release, the OHC said they are looking for ideas on how public hospitals can be the revitalized and reformed in the public interest.<\/p>\n
The Oct. 18 meeting in Wallaceburg will be held at the Legion on Margaret Ave. from 6-8 p.m. A meeting will be held in Chatham on Oct. 19 at St. Clair College, Thames Campus Arena Blue Line Room from 3-5 p.m.<\/p>\n
Issues that will be looked at include hospital closures, private\/public partnerships and hospital locations.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to hear, first hand, how hospital cuts have reduced access to needed services, changed how work is done, and led to privatization,\u201d the OHC said in a press release.<\/p>\n
The OHC said they also want input on positive experiences that people have had with their hospital care.<\/p>\n
Organizations and individuals are invited to attend and give input or to make a written submission.<\/p>\n
The public\u00a0 input will be used to help the OHC create a report on reforming hospitals in the public interest which will be released publicly in the fall. They plan to use the recommendations from the hearings to measure the political parties\u2019 health care plans leading into next spring\u2019s provincial election. To book a time slot (10 minutes) to give input, call the Ontario Health Coalition at (416) 441-2502, or email: ohc@sympatico.ca<\/p>\n
Deadline for booking a time slot to give your verbal input at a local consultation: Friday October 6, 5 p.m.<\/p>\n
Deadline for written submissions: Friday October 27, 5 p.m. Written submissions can be as informal as a hand-written note. All will be accepted. All are welcome to come and watch the hearings and join in the discussion<\/p>\n