ROUGE VALLEY HEALTH SYSTEM - PROPOSAL TO TEMPORARILY

TRANSFER OBSTETRICAL, PEDIATRIC AND RELATED SERVICES

FROM AJAX-PICKERING SITE

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 is 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 specialists; 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

hospital 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

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Prime Minister of Canada,

Ministers of Finance and Health Canada, Durham's MPs and Candidates;

Premier of Ontario, Ministers of Finance and Health and Long-Term

Care, Durham's MPPs; Durham's municipalities; Canadian Medical

Association, Ontario Medical Association, Durham Medical Society;

Regional Director, Central East Region, Ontario Ministry of Health and

Long-Term Care, Chair and CEO Central East LHIN; and the Chairs and

CEOs, Lakeridge Health Corporation, and Rouge Valley Health System

be so advised.

Respectfully submitted,

J. Mutton, Chair

Finance & Administration Committee

P. Perkins, Chair

Health and Social Services Committee

MOVED by Councillor Mutton, SECONDED by Councillor Perkins,

(577) "THAT the recommendations contained in Items 1 to 4 inclusive of the

Tenth Report of the Joint Committees be adopted."

CARRIED

MOVED by Councillor Jordan, SECONDED by Councillor Perkins,

(578) "THAT the recommendations contained in Item 5 of the Tenth Report of

the Joint Committees be adopted."

CARRIED ON THE FOLLOWING

RECORDED VOTE:

Members Absent

Lutczyk

McMillen

Mutton

Schell

Shier

Trim

Brenner

Brunelle

Clarke

Crawford

Cullen

Drumm

Emm

Gray

Johnson

Jordan

Kolodzie

McLean

Neal

Nicholson

O’Connor, G.

O’Connor, L.

Parish

Pearce

Perkins

Pidwerbecki

Ryan