The Minister of Health thanked the Wallaceburg-Walpole Island and the Chatham-Kent Health Coalitions for their feedback about local health care.
Eric Hoskins, Ontario’s Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, wrote a letter addressed to Shirley Roebuck, the chair of the local Health Coalitions, thanking the groups for their report detailing the findings of the community survey conducted in Chatham and Wallaceburg in November and December of last year.
“It is important that we continue to receive feedback regarding the health care needs of Chatham-Kent residents and we appreciate the time you have taken to conduct this survey,” Hoskins wrote.
“The findings of the survey will be used to inform the developments occurring at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA).”
In the letter, Hoskins pointed out the new CKHA website www.askckha.com, which acts as a forum for the public to ask questions and provide feedback regarding the corporate renewal and financial plan.
“The website also provides updates on initiatives that are underway,” Hoskins wrote.
“Mr. (Rob) Devitt and other officials from CKHA have been holding community engagement sessions across the region and a list of upcoming sessions is available on this website as well. Thank you for your dedication and commitment to the residents and communities across Chatham-Kent and Walpole Island first Nation. We look forward to your continued collaboration in the transformation of the local health care system.”
A total of 370 respondents completed the survey, Roebuck said back in March.
She said the results from the survey showed that the community wants two hospitals and two Emergecny Departments in Chatham-Kent, one in Chatham and the other in Wallaceburg.
“We are very pleased with the results,” Roebuck said back in March.
“We are not very surprised at what happened in Wallaceburg. Everyone supports the hospital. Everyone wants services restored in the hospital. They feel very strongly that we have access to a full service hospital in our community.”
The Wallaceburg-Walpole Island Health Coalition is having a general meeting on April 18, at 6 p.m. at the UAW Hall, on Elm St in Wallaceburg.
Roebuck said they will be talking about their survey campaign and planning their upcoming campaigns as well.
