Close to 200 people packed the Lion’s Den at the P & H Centre in Hanover to talk about the potential loss of long term care beds.
A proposal to transfer 41 long term care beds from the Hanover Care Centre to the Elgin Abbey Nursing Home in Chesley has sparked a large outcry.
The majority of those in attendance at Monday’s public meeting were residents of the Hanover Care Centre and their family members.
They shared concerns about transportation, separation from loved ones and quality of life.
For example — the Ministry of Health heard that people who no longer drive will have to pay 54 dollars for a round trip taxi ride to Chesley to visit a loved one.
Mayor Kathi Maskell tells Bayshore Broadcasting News this is the biggest issue to hit Hanover over her 4 year tenure as mayor.
She says Hanover can not afford to lose 41 long term care beds.
Maskell notes the town’s senior population is higher than both Grey County as well as the provincial average.
If Hanover loses the 41 long term care beds at Hanover Care Centre — the town will only have 70 long term beds left at the Village Senior’s Home.
Long waiting lists and a shortage of beds in Hanover is compounding the issue.
The proposed sale of the 41 long term beds can not happen without approval from the Ministry of Health.
Ministry representative Kim White vows to convey the passion and concerns expressed by the public to Officials in Toronto.
The Ministry has already received 200 letters of protest to date, and more is expected.
