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News Release Consultation is needed before
major healthcare changes, News conference at Queen's Park, April 25, 1:00 pm April 23, 2007
"The HRRH Board and Administration are proposing significant
changes to the health resources of our community without the consultation
promised by the Government and the Board," say Garry Green
& Rosanna Vidale, long standing community residents and
Co-Chairs of the Humber River Health Coalition. The Coalition is
a group of community residents and health professionals concerned
about the lack of community involvement and consultation in the
hospital's proposed re-development. On Dec 19, 2005 the Government announced the commitment of greatly
needed funding to improve health care in the northwest sector of
the city. Community consultation was promised in that announcement.
"No such process has taken place. Yet we have been given every
indication that decisions have been made behind closed doors without
any opportunity for the voice of the community." say Green
& Vidale. Recent studies find the neighbourhood communities serviced by the
HRRH are among the most racially and culturally diverse of any in
the GTA area. As well, there are significant challenges involving
the broader issues of the determinants of health such as housing,
single parent families, and socioeconomic considerations within
the catchment area which encompasses populations with some of the
highest health inequities of the GTA area. The area is divided by
two separate Local Health Integration Networks, creating serious
health care planning difficulties for the communities involved.
Green & Vidale caution: "The proposed changes could significantly
increase health inequities in our area by re-allocating needed resources
from areas of higher need to those of lower ones. What we are requesting
is citizen and community involvement in matters which directly affect
the future and health of our families and community" "There are other, more cost efficient options that will better
respond to health care than the directions that the HRRH Board seems
intent on pushing through. The downsizing and possible closure of
the Finch site will not improve health services for the catchment
area, nor will it result in more efficient distribution and use
of services." says Rennie Terbogt, a long standing resident
and community health professional. "No opportunity has been
given to present these options in open public discussion, and decisions
are being made over the top of our community by individuals who
in large part seem unconcerned of the local realities" "The problem in large part stems from the governance structure
instituted by the Ministry of Health. It is one shared by a number
of communities across the province" says John Balatinecz,
another resident in the area for many years. "After actions
by the Health Services Restructuring Commission in 1997, hospitals
were directed to be self-governing. There were no checks and balances
put in place to insure that the community would be represented or
even involved in decision-making processes. The HRRH Board has become
a closed, self-appointing body through its bylaws. Governance for
a community should include responsibility to it." For further information: on the Coalition's petition, Sources |