County residents invited to show support at Trenton hospital rally

On Friday, Nov. 13th the advocacy group for Trenton Memorial Hospital, ‘Our TMH’ is holding a rally in Centennial Park in Trenton, beginning at noon. Bus loads of supporters are expected to be coming in from all over eastern and central Ontario.

This rally is being held in conjunction with the Ontario Health Coalition’s ‘Days of Action’ across Ontario. It is part of a province-wide protest by citizens to stop hospital budget cuts and win funding to help our local hospital services.

The health planning body for southeastern Ontario is planning a major restructuring for all the hospitals from Perth/Smith Falls to Brockville, Trenton and every town in between. They plan to cut services from local communities and centralize them into fewer towns or cities. Belleville certainly comes to mind as an example of centralization. Patients will have to drive further for care and services across the region.

Trenton is threatened by the most devastating cuts in the region. They are slated to lose 2,300 surgeries and half of the acute care beds.
Make no mistake. These cuts will affect Prince Edward County residents who used to travel to Trenton for day surgery. This surgery will now take place in Belleville. The cataract surgery, however, is to remain in Trenton.

Over the last 17 years we in Prince Edward County have endured endless service cuts to our local hospital, as has Trenton.
For that reason it is hoped that some County residents will show their support for Trenton Hospital and be part of the 1,500 concerned citizens expected to be in attendance.
In particular, it would be beneficial if some members of the Health Care Advisory Committee (a committee of council), Pooch (the advocacy group for PECMH ) and representatives of the Chamber of Commerce could attend.

Trenton Memorial Hospital is on life support. As sister hospital stakeholders let us do what we can to help revive it.

-Fran Renoy
Picton