Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) Chair, Martin Girash, “This has been a robust and extensive process.”
The Board of Directors of the Erie St. Clair Local Health Integration Network paid a visit Tuesday night to Windsor for the first time in two years. They are one the province’s 14 LHINS, crown agencies which, according to their website:
“manage the planning, integration, performance, and funding of the health care system. LHINs are community-based, non-profit organizations funded by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to plan, fund and coordinate services delivered by: Hospitals, Long-Term Care Homes, Community Care Access Centre (CCAC), Community Support Service Agencies, Mental Health and Addiction Agencies, Community Health Centres (CHCs)
…they work in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC), LHINs provide leadership and accountability for the health care system at the local level and ensure that the health care needs of Ontarians are identified, coordinated, and addressed in a truly integrated system. Local accountability gives communities the opportunity to become involved in health care planning.”
Before a sparse crowd of approximately 70 attendees – mostly residents opposing the proposed Mega Hospital location build – the 8 member board, chaired by Martin Girash (former CEO of Windsor Regional Hospital), held their monthly meeting that included a presentation on the proposed hospital project.
From the outset, Girash indicated that the Local Health Integration Network does not have responsibility for ‘capital projects’, but, rather, oversees the processes for programs and services. The LHIN’s interest in the Mega Hospital evolution to date is to ensure that the process for this project is proper.
Girash indicated that from the board’s analysis, the process has been “robust and extensive”. He also indicated that the CAMPP group (Citizens for an Accountable Megahospital Planning Process) has raised their concerns with the LHIN about the project for the past two or more years by email, and then again at this night’s gathering. He indicated that some of their concerns such as ‘satellite’ services for the county may be further discussed by the board.
Most of the presenters against the Project stressed that the site location in a greenfield far from the city core is their number one concern. They feel it will destroy the city core, be too costly, and encourage unnecessary urban sprawl. They stressed that they want our healthcare system upgraded, but not at the expense of building in the wrong location.
Many of those in the opposition ‘CAMPP’ left immediately after their side’s presentations and did not hear presentations by the project’s steering committee co-chairs, Windsor Regional CEO David Musyj and David Cooke.
As part of the steering committee’s presentation, a video was played which slowly scrolled through a listing of about 100 public consultation meetings held by the steering committee in the past four years, identifying, dates, times, locations, groups involved, format, etc.
These public consultation sessions began before the actual site selection process was started and include sessions as recently as last month. They took various forms as town halls, call in radio shows, presentations to Windsor City and Essex County councils, seniors groups, labour groups, professional groups etc.
Cooke indicated that as a result of public input, criteria already established for the issuance of an RFP for land acquisition was amended to reflect the new input.
Joe Chats with LHIN Chair, Martin Girash
Feature photo and video by Joe McParland – Biz X magazine
