Perth Wellington's MPP says a statement from Health Minister Eric Hoskins promises long-term care beds at Hillside Manor near Sebringville will not be closed or moved outside of the community.
Randy Pettapiece credited the hundreds of people who spoke up.
“The government finally got the message!” declared Perth-Wellington MPP Randy Pettapiece. “I want to thank everyone who spoke up -- staff, residents and families at Hillside, our very capable municipal leaders and staff, and countless concerned citizens. If it wasn’t for their efforts, our beds would be gone. I have no doubt about that.”
Some 3,800 signed a petition, and hundreds attended public meetings and wrote letters of protest. In addition to his multiple questions and letters to the government, and launching a petition, Pettapiece also arranged meetings between municipal representatives and Revera Living Inc., Hillside’s operator, as well as with the South West Local Health Integration Network (LHIN).
Pettapiece also said the strong and sustained response may have an impact beyond Hillside, by showing the government just how much it matters to have long-term care beds close to home.
Hoskins’ announcement came the very same day that Pettapiece questioned him in the legislature for the third time in recent months about Hillside. It also came just a week before the legislature is scheduled to debate Pettapiece’s motion on the issue. That motion calls on the province to halt consideration of the bed transfer proposal until the government fixes its process and the metrics used to evaluate such proposals.
In his question, Pettapiece told the minister point-blank: “We can’t afford to lose any beds. Does the minister agree, and will the government support my motion to keep these beds in Perth-Wellington?”
Hoskins said he was “working very hard on the issue.”
