Dear Editor:

Thanks to all who came out to the March 1 meeting on St. Marys Memorial Hospital.  I think that we all learned a lot about Ontario health care, about the situation in the area serviced by Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance and specifically about St. Marys Memorial.  
Unfortunately, one piece of information in my presentation may have been incorrect.  I stated that two family doctors were among the 3,000-plus people who signed the petition. It appears that of those two signatures, one was a retired doctor and the other may have been mistakenly identified as a doctor because of a similar name. (Editor’s note: this information appeared in the story St. Marys Emergency Room debate continues, appearing in the Feb. 24 issue).
Also, It was brought to my attention that one example used by Natalie Mehra from the Ontario Health Coalition could have lead people to be believe that there are more services at St. Marys ER than there are. Natalie was quoting from a survey done by the Ontario Health Coalition on Emergency Medical Services. I believe that the quote she used was a paramedic talking of things that they are unable to do in ambulances.  It is my understanding that some of the things mentioned in that quote are also unavailable at St. Marys’ ER.
As part of the continuing communication strategy, the HPHA has said that it will be providing further information on what services are offered in an ambulance, what at St. Marys ER and what at the other local ERs.  

Jan Mustard
on behalf of the
Community Action Group