While the Sydenham District Hospital board is thrilled with their membership numbers, one new director is hoping to increase the number even more.
Specifically Rex Isaac wants to see more people from Walpole Island First Nation sign up.
The board reported recently that an all-time high number of 539 members are signed up as members of the SDH corporation, however this figure only includes three members from the First Nation reserve.
“I have been requested to address that,” said Isaac, who was appointed to the SDH board at their AGM last month.
“I think the people need to become involved and realize that you can’t just take services for granted because as we know, and I think a lot of people in Wallaceburg know, is that this constant threat to health care, one day if we are not looking, it is going to be taken away from us. So the only way that we can do that is by being fully inclusive in that.”
The SDH membership, broken down by their residence, include: Wallaceburg 496, Port Lambton 23, Tupperville 6, Sombra 5, Walpole Island 3, Dresden 3, Dover Township 2 and Chatham 1.
Isaac said education is key.
“I had spoken with somebody else and I said… ‘we have to educate the community members,'” he said.
“Both in Wallaceburg and on Walpole. Once people feel engaged in the process, I think we will see a lot more representation here.”
For more information about becoming a member contact Conrad Noel, vice chair of the SDH board, at conrad@saveoursydenham.com or by calling/texting him at 519-359-6119.
