Residents of Durham and neighbouring areas are rallying against the recent decision by the South Bruce Grey Health Centre (SBGHC) to relocate all inpatient beds from Durham's hospital to facilities in Walkerton and Kincardine.
This move, announced on April 24, 2024, will significantly reduce hospital services in Durham, restricting operations to urgent and emergent care from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily starting June 3.
To voice their opposition and address concerns, a public meeting organized by the grassroots group Save the Durham Hospital is scheduled for Tuesday, May 7, at 7 p.m. in the Durham Community Centre.
Group organizer Jana White says "We need to get a clear message out there to the people that need to hear it. It's not safe for our community. I think people feel shocked and left out in the dark. It's really disheartening to have a huge decision like this made with absolutely no consultation."
West Grey Mayor Kevin Eccles expressed the community's frustration, stating, "What people will hear is that we have no idea what's going on. We're going to be at this rally to show support. The public is still angry, not connecting with the information coming forward. Community itself is ready to go to battle on this, whether it's political, legal. The gun is fully loaded, and we're ready to fire shots. We're going to hit the target to keep our hospital open."
Echoing concerns about the decision's impact on rural healthcare, Eccles added, "Dangerous is an appropriate word being used in this. Got me very emotional, as well as fired up for the protection of our community. There's no benefit to my community or any surrounding communities on this action that's being taken."
Grey County Warden Brian Milne shared his disappointment, highlighting the lack of consultation and broader implications of the decision. Milne stated, "I'm extremely disappointed that the county wouldn't have been advised that this action was being taken. Just because you move the beds out of the community, does that mean people will stop seeking healthcare? No, I just don't understand the short-sighted nature of the move to pull the beds out of Durham and think the problem is solved. It isn't."
Both Eccles and Milne stressed the need for collaboration and urged the Ministry of Health to engage with the community to find sustainable solutions without compromising essential healthcare services in Durham and surrounding areas.