For Immediate Release
March 20, 2007
Elliott to attend Town Hall, opposes cuts to vital services at Lakeridge Health
(Queen's Park) - Progressive Conservative MPP Christine Elliott today issued the following statement regarding impending cuts at Lakeridge Health:
“Yesterday in response to a question from my colleague regarding recent directives issued to cut vital services at Lakeridge Health, I was shocked to hear that the Minister’s response included a self-congratulatory endorsement of his government’s record with respect to health care funding in Durham Region.
“I can assure the Minister that on this file the last thing his government deserves is congratulations. During my by-election less than one year ago, the primary concern I heard from community residents was that they felt ignored by this government with respect to health care. That’s why I introduced a private members’ resolution that would have seen funding for Durham Region immediately increase to the provincial average. Because your government defeated my resolution, however, the funding gap that exists between Durham Region and the rest of Ontario has grown, and stands at a whopping $339 million dollars for the 2007/2008 fiscal year. On top of that you have decided to make these devastating cuts.
“Tonight I will be attending a town hall meeting, along with other Durham MPPs, to discuss your government’s recent decision to cut children’s mental health, addiction and crisis intervention services at Lakeridge Health. The Minister sees no problem with transferring current services to local community agencies, however these agencies are working hard each and every day to treat the line-up of patients already at their doorsteps. Moreover, the fact of the matter is that certain services exist at Lakeridge that are not available elsewhere. Vital services such as treatment up to the age of 19, acute care facilities and immediate access to a psychiatrist in a crisis situation, make Lakeridge unique among partners.
“I would strongly urge the Minister to re-consider this disastrous decision.”
-30-
For more information contact:
Christine Elliott, M.P.P
Whitby-Ajax
416.325.1331 |
