KAWARTHA LAKES-The Kawartha Lakes Health Coalition isn’t mincing words when it comes to a new “Special Act” governing Lindsay’s Ross Memorial Hospital.
“The hospital continues to gaslight the community by insisting that this Act has nothing to do with another possible merger.” says KLHC co-chair Zac Miller. “Once RMH merges, it can’t be undone. If services are transferred, it’s hard to get them back.”
Gaslighting is a form of psychological manipulation in which a person tries to sow seeds of doubt in an individual or members of a group, making them question their own perception or memory.
Miller says Section 3 of a new “Special Act” changes the objects of the hospital and would allow the board to operate a hospital or a different type of health facility.
“RMH lawyers have chosen to insert the word “or” rather than “and” in this clause. This means that the Board can operate a hospital or a different type of health facility which effectively means they no longer have to run a hospital.”
The KLHC had asked the hospital board to remove the word “or” and replace it with “and” meaning the board would be required to run a hospital of some sort.
“If the CEO wants to close the hospital, it is in the public interest that they have to go back to community to allow them the chance to organize to save the hospital if they wish.” Miller states.
Officials with Ross Memorial deny plans to close the hospital but would not comment on a merger or amalgamation.
“There is absolutely no plan to cease operation as a public hospital under the Public Hospitals Act. The language used in the Bill recognizes that the delivery of patient care continues to evolve, and supports flexible and responsive care, based on the needs of our community.” Interim hospital CEO Veronica Nelson told Kawartha 411.
Howeverm after a closer look at the definition of the word “hospital” in the act it appears officals are playing lose with what actually constitutes a “hospital”.
Here is the exact wording from the act:
“hospital” means any institution, building or other premises or place that is established for the purposes of the treatment of patients and that is approved under this Act as a public hospital; (“hôpital”) “in-patient” means a person admitted to a hospital for the purpose of treatment;
According to the act a “hospital” could be any institution where patients are treated leaving the facility open to be merged or amalgamated with another hospital.
We specifically asked Nelson about any plans for merger or amalgamation and she did not answer that question.
That’s what concerns Miller. He says the hospital is not being transparent with the community about the process. “They will start with administration and legal departments and then move on to treatments and services.” Miller says.
Miller says if they don’t plan to close, merge or amalgamate they should have no problem changing the wording in the Act. “As a symbolic gesture to our community, the KLHC submitted an amendment so that Section 11 of the original Act – stating that RMH cannot amalgamate with any other entity unless all governance, money etc.. is controlled by RMH – was included in the new Special Act. The Board did not accept that.”
In previous legislative changes in 1953, 1964, and 2000, Section 11 was upheld to maintain its protection of RMH according to Miller.
When Ajax/Pickering merged with Lakeridge, Ajax’s non-acute care was moved to Bowmanville. The Health Coalition alleges this merger cost $18.2 million and will take 62 years to pay off.
Durham West and Scarborough hospital systems were also forced to merge costing millions. Almost $2 million for integrating the management team and $13 million to merge telecommunications, email and information technology, over $1 million in legal and public relations costs and $2.5 million in costs to lay off staff and harmonize wages according to hospital figures.
The cost of these mergers are not covered by the province and must be absorbed by the hospitals themselves out of their operating budgets even though they are mandated by the province.
If you have concerns or questions about the process the Coalition would like you to contact CEO Veronica Nelson at [email protected].
The Bill is being submitted to Queen’s Park for approval.
