On Nov. 25, I met with members of the community action group – a grassroots citizen-led organization dedicated to securing the future of health care services in the Town of St. Marys.

I was very impressed with their organization, passionate advocacy and depth of knowledge, especially concerning St. Marys Memorial Hospital.

I am a very strong supporter of the hospital. People in our communities need and deserve outstanding patient care, close to home – and that is exactly what St. Marys Memorial is delivering.

We are fortunate to have a team of dedicated medial professionals, staff and volunteers who provide outstanding care for patients and their families.

Many of my constituents have expressed serious concern about plans to reduce the emergency department coverage at the hospital from 24 hours a day to 16.

I share their concern. Reduced hours would mean much longer travel times to other hospitals resulting in delays that could have very serious health repercussions.

Linda Rockwood, director of Perth County EMS, writes that town hall meetings from the Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance have shown a groundswell of dissatisfaction from the residents of St. Marys and Perth South over the recommended closure of the hospital’s emergency department during the early morning period.

In her committee of the whole report, Ms. Rockwood includes detailed and persuasive information on the possible closure and the people it would effect.

I have enclosed copies of other reports, letters and emails I received from the community action group. These documents underscore the importance of St. Marys Memorial and the need for it to continue serving our communities. Their case is very persuasive from a health care and business perspective.

Will you provide the support necessary to continue operating the emergency department 24 hours a day, seven days a week? I urge you to listen to the group and other citizens who, quite properly, want to be heard on this issue.

Related to that imperative is the third and final stage of the government’s Rural and Northern Health Care framework/plan. The panel’s public consultations have concluded, but there appears to be no report publicly available to summarize those consultations.

Moreover, I have seen no indication as to when the final framework will be released to the public. I believe the final stage should have been released prior to the October provincial election.

My constituents deserve to know the outcome of your government’s framework for rural health care, and how it may affect our hospital in St. Marys.

Again, I want to reiterate my strong support for St. Marys Memorial and all those who provide the health care services we need in Perth-Wellington.