Layton urges health minister to save Matthews Memorial

NEWS RELEASE

TONY MARTIN, MP

************************** Layton writes health minister on Sault Algoma healthcare crisis

"Closing Matthews Memorial Hospital would be detrimental"

OTTAWA - (May 26) - New Democrat leader Jack Layton has followed up his visit to Sault Ste. Marie last week with a letter to Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq urging more federal funding for healthcare.

"For years, smaller communities have relied heavily upon the Matthews Memorial Hospital on St. Joseph Island which is facing possible closure," Layton wrote. "This decision would only be detrimental, forcing people to drive 75 kilometres to the Sault Hospital that is already operating beyond its normal capacity.

"I am sure you would agree the federal government must keep its promise to improve wait times and invest in new facilities to prevent lives from being placed in jeopardy. I would therefore urge you to work with the Provincial Minister of Health to ensure the hospitals of northern Ontario are given the necessary resources to properly service these communities."

Last week, Layton and Sault MP Tony Martin met with advocates on the local healthcare crisis in the city before traveling to St. Joseph`s Island where they were greeted enthusiastically by dozens of island residents at a hospital rally.

Layton told media that he quickly learned there is “a severe problem” with health care delivery in the Sault Ste. Marie area, ranging from problems with access to primary care, obtaining family doctors and huge waiting lists.

Martin wanted Layton to experience the drive between St. Joseph Island and the Sault firsthand to show the importance of the island hospital and the distance from the Sault Area Hospital.

Here is Layton`s full letter to the health minister:

May 20, 2009 Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, PC MP Minister of Health House of Commons Ottawa, K1A OA6 OPEN LETTER TO HEALTH MINISTER AGLIKKAQ

Dear Minister Aglukkaq:

I have just returned from round-table meetings with health care advocates and hospital officials in the region of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.

I wish to draw to your attention the serious health-related concerns facing residents in northern Ontario where more than one-third of hospital beds are occupied by patients who should be in nursing or long-term care.

For years, smaller communities have relied heavily upon the Matthews Memorial Hospital on St. Joseph Island which is facing possible closure.

This decision would only be detrimental, forcing people to drive 75 kilometres to the Sault Hospital that is already operating beyond its normal capacity.

I am sure you would agree the federal government must keep its promise to improve wait times and invest in new facilities to prevent lives from being placed in jeopardy.

I would therefore urge you to work with the Provincial Minister of Health to ensure the hospitals of Northern Ontario are given the necessary resources to properly service these communities.

Thank you for giving your full consideration to this critical health concern for the residents of northern Ontario.

Sincerely,   Jack Layton, MP Toronto-Danforth Leader, New Democratic Party

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