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Wyoming, ON – Lambton County Council expressed its willingness to work with Bluewater Health and emergency department physicians at the Petrolia Hospital today, in light of a recent announcement recommending the part-time closure of the emergency department from 8 pm to 8 am daily.
At a special Council meeting, representatives from the administration and board of Bluewater Health, along with Dr. Butler of Petrolia, explained the process that has lead to the recommendation for part-time closure.
"Today's presentation helped us understand the complexity of the situation and the difficulties many communities face when trying to recruit all physicians - whether they be family physicians, specialists, surgeons or emergency room physicians," said Lambton County Warden Jim Burns.
As a result of today's meeting, Council approved a motion asking the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to re-instate Lambton's designation as an 'under-serviced' area and will be asking for a meeting with the Minister of Health & Long-Term Care and the local Member of Provincial Parliament at the upcoming Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Conference in August. Council has also asked for clarification of the various organizations and groups that are currently undertaking some form of physician recruitment within Lambton County.
"Maintaining the existing level of emergency care at Charlotte Eleanor Englehart Hospital is of vital importance to all residents of Lambton County," said Warden Burns. "Council intends to pursue every opportunity it can to achieve a successful outcome for the residents in this community."
For more information about Lambton County, visit www.lambtononline.ca.
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Contact:
Jim Burns
Warden
County of Lambton
Telephone: 519 845-0801
email: jim.burns@county-lambton.on.ca
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