Minden, Ont. emergency department officially closes
In what's usually a bright and bustling month in the small, rural town of Minden, Ont., June 1 has instead brought sadness for its residents and cottagers.
Haliburton Highlands Health Services (HHHS) officially closed the town's emergency department, removing its hospital and emergency signage Thursday morning.
Emergency services have been redirected to Haliburton's hospital for what HHHS said is due to ongoing staffing shortages.
"It's like a day after a funeral, after a wake, the reality is coming in, the emotions are high," said Patrick Porzuczek, the leader of the 'Save Minden ER' Coalition. "We had our candlelight vigil in front of the hospital last night, attended by residents and hospital workers alike, we shared positive stories of the year instead of negative ones, and we all said one day, we will see each other again."
Porzuczek joined workers and union members from Service Employees International Union (SEIU) to watch as the emergency department closed on Thursday.
The SEIU said it had filed a grievance against HHHS for the sudden closure.
"We did ask them to cease and desist the closing of the Minden ER, so we will leave that up to an arbitrator when the time comes," said Cindy Seaton, an SEIU representative for HHHS workers. "Staff were very upset. No one wants to see the closure of the Minden ER, we tried to bring their concerns to the hospital, but they're not listening to what we had to say."
Despite the closure, The Kawartha North Family Health Team brought forward its plan in the 11th hour, which could bring an Urgent Care Centre to Minden.
The health team announced on Wednesday that it has filed for funding from the Ministry of Health to bring an urgent care centre to Minden.
"It's something, but it's a very small part of what the town needs," said Bob Carter, Mayor of Minden Hills. "It's sort of like a walk-in clinic, which only represents a fraction of the service that Minden requires."
Mayor Carter told CTV News that while he believes the health team has good intentions, he said he feels it's making similar mistakes to HHHS by failing to consult with the town adequately.
He's also not giving up on the fight to reopen the emergency department.
"Probably September, October, we could be in a position to reopen," Carter added. "But I'm not sure we would be able to do that with the present management and directors of HHHS."
HHHS and The Kawartha North Family Health Team declined to be interviewed on camera, but in a statement, the health team said it is committed to holding consultations should funding be approved.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
This iconic Canadian song is turning 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
Oprah Winfrey: I set an unrealistic standard for dieting
Oprah Winfrey said on Thursday evening that she has long played a role in promoting unhealthy and unrealistic diets.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Toronto police called to Drake's Bridle Path mansion for another alleged intruder on Thursday
Toronto police say a man who allegedly attempted to access Drake’s Bridle Path property was taken to hospital on Thursday after an altercation with security guards.
Flat tire on a highway? Here's why you shouldn't try to fix it
If you're cruising down a highway and realize you have a flat tire, you may want to think twice before stopping to fix it on the side of the road.
Storm-battered U.S. South is again under threat. A boy swept into a drain fights for his life
Dangerous storms crashed over parts of the U.S. South on Thursday even as the region cleaned up from earlier severe weather that spawned tornadoes, killed at least three people, and gravely injured a boy who was swept into a storm drain as he played in a flooded street.
Broadcaster and commentator Rex Murphy dead at 77: National Post
The National Post is reporting that Rex Murphy, the pundit and columnist who hosted a national call-in radio show for decades, has died.