The Southwest Local Health Integration Network came calling to sell its services to Kincardine council.
LHIN CEO Michael Barrett told councillors recently that funding LHINs takes up almost half of the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care’s budget.
There are 14 LHINs across the province with the Southwest region being one of the biggest when it comes to territory covered, from Windsor to Tobermory.
Barrett also says the senior population is growing and a lot of the growth is happening along the Lake Huron coastline.
This got councillors asking why there were no plans for constructioin of a long-term care facility in the Kincardine area.
Barrett says the LHIN’s plan is to have as many seniors taken care of in their own homes with the support services needed to carry that out.
It was pointed out to Barrett that many beds in long term care homes are taken up by young people who have special needs and will be there the rest of their lives.
He says young people don’t belong in these homes but again to make sure support services are available to these young people.
If they are in long term care homes then they make sure the services are there for them as well.
Meanwhile, Barrett says he has no news on re-development at the Kincardine Hospital.
He says the LHIN has approved the project but now it’s up to the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care.
Barrett says no matter what happens in the October provincial election, the process within the ministry will continue and Kincardine will be in the queue.
