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RECOMMENDATION
TO COUNCIL:
”WHEREAS
the Rouge Valley Health System (RVHS) proposes to temporarily
transfer obstetrical, pediatric and possibly gynecological
services from its Ajax-Pickering site to its Centenary site; and
WHEREAS
the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and RVHS has
repeatedly assured local residents that RVAP has been designated
as a full-service hospital; and
WHEREAS
Rouge Valley Ajax Pickering (RVAP) is the only provider of
hospital-based obstetrical services for Ajax, Pickering and Whitby
residents; and
WHEREAS
approximately 1,500 births/year took place and 50 ectopic
pregnancies/year were managed at RVAP; and
WHEREAS
the proposed transfer will create undue hardship for many pregnant
women and their families, particularly those who face
transportation barriers, who may now need to access/visit
diagnostic and ambulatory services beyond Durham Region; and
WHEREAS
the 48-hour post-partum calls/visits of new mothers by public
health nurses under the Durham Region Healthy Babies, Healthy
Children Program may be disrupted by the transfer owing to
follow-up being initiated by Toronto Public Health and then being
referred to the Durham Region Health Department; and
WHEREAS
referrals to the RVAP social work services for postpartum
depression may also be disrupted; and
WHEREAS
the impact of the transfer on RVAP lactation consultant services
and breastfeeding support groups in unknown at this time; and
WHEREAS
the proposed temporary transfer is owing to a shortage of local
pediatricians; and
WHEREAS
the shortages of pediatricians, specialists and family physicians
in Durham Region and beyond is a key national and provincial
strategic healthcare issue; and
WHEREAS
residents of Ajax, Pickering and Whitby are very concerned about
the transfer becoming permanent, in part, owing to the ongoing
shortage of pediatricians and other related specialist; and
WHEREAS
the doctors at the Ajax-Pickering site have passed a motion of
non-confidence, as a result of the action taken by Administration
and the Board of Rouge Valley Health System;
NOW
THEREFORE IT BE RESOLVED THAT the Council of the Regional
Municipality of Durham urges the Board of Rouge Valley Health
System to reconsider transferring obstetrical, pediatric and
related services from its Ajax Pickering site to its Centenary
site and otherwise honour its commitment to provide full hospital
services to the residents of Ajax, Pickering and Whitby; and
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in the event the Board does not
voluntarily reconsider its decision, that the Minister of Health
use his powers under the Act to force that obstetrical, pediatric
and related services remain at the Ajax-Pickering site;
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Government of Ontario is urged to honour
its capital redevelopment and associated operating commitments for
Rouge Valley Ajax Pickering to ensure that the residents of West
Durham receive the full hospital services that they have been
repeatedly promised;
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Region of Durham withhold its $3.5
million commitment for the capital expansion of the Ajax-Pickering
site until such time as the Region of Durham is satisfied as to
the services provided at the Ajax-Pickering site;
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Governments of Canada and Ontario are
urged to act with utmost speed and with unflagging determination
to resolve the shortage of pediatricians, other specialists and
family physicians in Durham Region and beyond; and
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