For Immediate Release
February 19, 2009

Coming Soon to a LHIN Near You!

Queen's Park-Bob Bailey, MPP for Sarnia-Lambton today challenged the McGuinty Government to keep their hands off rural hospitals.  Recently the Hay Group released a Local Health Integration Network commissioned report that recommends the downgrading of the Emergency Rooms in Sydenham Hospital in Wallaceburg and CEE Hospital in Petrolia to Urgent Care Wards.

"In Wallaceburg a community group has formed called "Save Our Sydenham" Committee that has started a petition that calls on the Hay Group report to be shelved and for the Emergency Room to remain at Sydenham Hospital", said Bailey.    "I would like to congratulate the residents of Wallaceburg and St. Clair Township for organizing this petition drive and I look forward to assisting them in any way that I can."

Mr. Bailey has been presenting petitions in the Ontario Legislature this week about maintaining emergency room services in both Petrolia and Wallaceburg.

"LHIN's all across Ontario are doing studies just like this, and all Members should be aware that it won't be long before your rural hospitals are threatened as well", added Bailey.    "Right now, just in South-Western Ontario there are 27 rural hospitals under the gun.  Mr. McGuinty's appointed LHIN's need to be told clearly that they should keep there hands off our rural hospitals."

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For more information contact:
Bob Bailey, MPP
(416) 325-1715