A letter to Doug Ford
On Monday, September 25 you headed to Queen’s Park for the opening of parliament. I headed to Queen’s Park too, along with thousands of people from many Ontario cities to protest the privatization of healthcare in Ontario.
I am 80 years old and shouldn’t need to be heading to Queen’s Park to support healthcare. That healthcare be a top priority for the provincial government should be a given. NOT SO.
I believe that the long-standing underfunding of healthcare and social services by your government is a calculated plan so the public will more willingly turn to privatization. You have accepted the federal government’s new healthcare money, but the fear is that it will not be used for new healthcare improvements but will be used to pay down Ontario’s deficit. It is not lack of money but lack of political will and vision that has devastated Ontario’s healthcare system.
I know that operating rooms in many of our hospitals are closed evenings and weekends due to underfunding and staff shortage. You capped the wages of nurses, health professionals, and support staff during the pandemic even though they endangered their health to provide care. For-profit clinics will take this staff from our local public hospitals. This is particularly damaging to smaller hospitals in my county that will lose doctors, nurses, and many surgeries. Also, many people can’t pay the “extra billing” that for-profit healthcare requires.
Ontario funds our public hospitals at the lowest rate in Canada. Ontario has the fewest hospital beds per person of any province in Canada. This looks to a lack of concern, certainly for anybody in my age group but for Ontarians of any age.
My final word … NO TO PRIVATIZATION, YES TO INCREASED FUNDING FOR NURSES, HOSPITALS, MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES, AND BASIC SOCIAL SERVICES.
Thank you,
Liz Morelli, Nanticoke
Letter from Dunnville Healthcare and Hospital Foundation
Dear Community Members/Neighbours/Residents,
I hope this letter finds you well. Today, I have some important news to share with our cherished community. Our esteemed Executive Director, Penny Banks, has tendered her resignation from her role here at the Dunn-ville Hospital and Healthcare Foundation (DHHF). While we are saddened to see her leave her full-time position, we are pleased to inform you that she will remain involved with our community in a part-time capacity to ensure a smooth transition.
Penny has been an exceptional leader and advocate for our organization, dedicating herself tirelessly to the betterment of our community. Her passion, unwavering commitment, and remarkable vision have played a pivotal role in the growth and success of DHHF. Under her guidance, we have achieved numerous milestones, expanded our reach, and made a lasting impact on the lives of those we serve.
It is with profound gratitude that we acknowledge Penny’s dedication to our community and her many accomplishments during her tenure. Her decision to pursue a consulting position is a testament to her desire to explore new avenues while continuing to contribute her expertise and knowledge. In her part-time role, Penny will provide valuable guidance and support during the transition period, ensuring that the important work of DHHF remains uninterrupted.
Her wealth of experience and her continued presence will be instrumental as we search for her successor and work towards a seamless handover.
We want to reassure our community members that the Dunnville Hospital and Healthcare Foundation remains steadfast in its commitment to our mission and goals. The board and staff are working diligently to ensure that our operations continue without interruption, and we are actively engaged in the search for a new Executive Director who will carry forward Penny’s legacy of excellence.
We extend our deepest appreciation to Penny for her extraordinary dedication and the positive impact she has had on our community. Her contributions will be felt for years to come, and we are excited to see her continue to be a part of our journey in her new capacity.
Please join us in expressing our gratitude and well wishes to Penny as she embarks on this new chapter in her career. We look forward to your continued support and engagement as we move forward together, guided by the values and vision that Penny has instilled in us.
If you have any questions or concerns during this transition, please feel free to reach out to me directly, and we will be happy to assist you.
Thank you for being an essential part of our community, and we are excited about the future that lies ahead.
Warm regards,
Sandie Heirwegh, Board Chair, DHHF
