Posted on 09/17/2009 10:21:33 AM PDT by Leisler
The hopes of a small group of protesters from Fort Erie and Port Colborne fighting to keep their local emergency room open were dashed Wednesday when Premier Dalton McGuinty refused to consider reversing the decision. The protesters, mainly seniors and all wearing yellow t-shirts, looked on in vain from the legislature's public gallery as the New Democrats tried to get McGuinty to agree to halt the planned closing of the emergency department at Douglas Memorial Hospital in Fort Erie. "We have heard from the Local Health Integration Network and their recommendation is that they put in place a 24/7 urgent care centre that will accommodate fully 95 per cent of the patients who are now going to the hospital in Fort Erie," McGuinty told the legislature. "We think that overall it presents a step forward in improving the quality of care that's available to patients in the community." The New Democrats accused McGuinty of hiding behind the local health network that his government set up for that very purpose. "It's interesting, because the LHIN has been quoted as saying that they have the full support of the government in making this decision, and now the government is saying that they're just doing whatever the LHIN thinks is supposed to happen," said NDP Leader Andrea Horwath. "So it's a bit of shell game, in my opinion." McGuinty said he knew closing the Fort Erie emergency department had created a "difficult debate" in the community. "I understand that there's anxiety that has been created and we all have a tremendous attachment to our local hospitals," he said. McGuinty was asked if people in the Fort Erie area could find themselves being forced to take an ambulance into Buffalo, N.Y.,...
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They are going to be doubly screwed once health care “reform” passes. No where to go to escape socialized medicine.
they put in place a 24/7 urgent care centre that will accommodate fully 95 per cent of the patients who are now going to the hospital in Fort Erie,"
it presents a step forward in improving the quality of care that's available to patients in the community."
Fort Erie, Ontario (across the Peace Bridge from Buffalo) is a tiny little burg about 20 minutes from Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. They may even have both city limits signs on the same stick.
This story is just some liberal nutbar’s attempt to panic the populace through targeted sensationalism.
I can’t believe the Canadian Press would misspell “Ontario”.
Ping.
Thanks. That actually makes sense then.
Fort Erie is a stones throw across the bridge from Downtown Buffalo (although if you are a Canadian and you get sick now, you’d better have your passport with you). Note the shell-game shuffle they have set up to duck political responsibility behind health boards, regional authorities, health practice advisory organizations, etc.
Yeah, but Hamilton has one of the best hospitals in the world. The Fort Erie closure will have a huge impact on people in the Niagara region; AFAIK the only ERs within an hour from the Falls will be at Dunnville and St. Catharines.
I guess the other 5% can just die.
Besides, we're going to shut down health care in this country. Crossing the border would be a waste of time.
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