Rally to save Minden ER to be held tomorrow at village’s fairgrounds

'A catastrophic event that will leave thousands of residents without accessible, emergency health care'

With only 25 days left until the scheduled closing of the Minden Hospital emergency department, opponents of the closure right across the region will hold a rally tomorrow from Noon to 4 pm at the Minden Fairgrounds.

Organizers are calling the protest “a show of support” and hope that all of those who feel they have a stake in keeping the Minden emergency department open attend and voice their displeasure.

Residents are frustrated with what they see as lack of action being taken by both local MPP Laurie Scott, and Kawartha Lakes Mayor Doug Elmslie, to do anything regarding this closure but release careful press releases.

Scott wrote the following in response to the hundreds of calls that have inundated her office:

“I know that the decision to close Minden Emergency took us as a community off guard. In the wake of the announcement the residents passionately conveyed their feelings. The hospital board does have the authority to make these decisions. I respect that. If the board chooses to reverse or delay, I will continue to work with them to explore all solutions. Alternatively, (if the closure goes forward) I will work with them, their stakeholders, partners and community to explore other healthcare opportunities.”

On social media, the responses to Scott’s statement have been scathing. One posting on the Facebook page Save Minden Emergency Room, written by Corrine Lavric, calls Scott’s response “evasive.” Lavric said in a post that Scott’s Facebook page has apparently blocked negative comments and may have changed settings to hide negative comments. Lavric wonders why there is no mention on her website of this crisis either.

Adria Scarano, in an email to the Advocate, was equally as frustrated with the decision made to close the Minden emergency department:

“The closure of the Minden Hospital Emergency Department, managed by Haliburton Highlands Health Services (HHHS) is a catastrophic event that will leave thousands of residents without accessible, emergency health care.”

“A rural community, which lacks a family physician and walk in clinic, the Minden emergency department is for many, their source of primary care,” Scarano added. “To assume patients can easily access emergency services at the Haliburton site shows a complete disregard and understanding of the socio-economic situation of many in the community.”

Considering the importance of the Minden emergency department to the people who live in north Kawartha Lakes, many on social media were equally as disappointed with the two-line press release from Mayor Doug Elmslie who said, “We regret the need to close the Minden emergency department and the potential impacts to the residents that access health care at that site. We support any additional time to make the necessary adjustments to address the impacts on emergency services processes.”

Gail Snodden, who also posted on Save Minden Emergency Room, shared a comment about the scheduled closing in Minden that spoke for many others on the site who are already worrying about the impact the Minden closure will have at Ross Memorial Hospital in Lindsay where wait times for care are growing by the month.

“I live in…Kawartha Lakes and am trying to understand how the provincial and municipal government think that Ross Memorial Hospital can handle the influx of patients from the hundreds of new homes and retirement residences being built in Lindsay. The Ross can’t handle the ER patients now. Then they announce they are closing the next closest ER to many of the taxpayers in the city. Our municipal leaders don’t care or this wouldn’t be happening. Remember who voted you in.”

It’s clear the Minden emergency room closure is the number one issue for many in Minden. Bright yellow signs protesting the potential closure are everywhere to be seen in the village. Casual conversation between locals is focused on the impact the closure will have on the area, and many feel it may be another step by Premier Doug Ford to increase privatization of Ontario’s healthcare system.