West Grey ‘State of Emergency’ remains in effect

West Grey Council is maintaining a state of emergency due to budget cuts at its Durham hospital.

“Durham Hospital remains a vital part of our community infrastructure,” said Kevin Eccles, Mayor of West Grey. “The City and Council remain committed to saving Durham Hospital and until there is a satisfactory commitment to resolve this health crisis, a state of emergency will remain in place in West Grey.”

West Grey Borough Council declared a state of emergency for their borough on May 28 after it emerged that all 10 hospital beds at Durham Hospital were being transferred to neighbouring boroughs due to a shortage of nurses.

Durham Hospital’s emergency department opening hours were reduced to 7am and 5pm on March 10, also due to a lack of qualified staff.

Many residents of Durham and the surrounding area, as well as members of the local council, believe these cuts are the beginning of the end for the hospital and will eventually lead to its complete closure.

Officials at South Bruce Grey Health Centre, which operates the Durham hospital and three other hospitals in Ontario’s Midwest, said they have no plans to close the Durham hospital. The cuts are being made to keep the facility somewhat afloat.

Eccles said he has reached out to politicians and health leaders across Ontario in hopes of getting Durham Hospital back to full capacity, but no resolution has been found. West Grey has requested a judicial inquiry into the cuts to Durham Hospital, which is scheduled for Oct. 7.

Mayor Eccles said the emergency will remain in effect until the hospital board or the province makes a commitment to return health care in Durham to previous levels.