Chamber group wants meeting with MOH, NEMHC and NELHIN

North Bay & District Chamber of Commerce
News Release

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Two representatives from each group: the North Bay & District Chamber of Commerce, Cassellholme and OPSEU 636 met yesterday to discuss the decision by the Northeast Local Health Integration Network on their decision to move the 31 specialized care patients to Sudbury, after a report was presented to them last week by the Regional Advisory Panel.

Sean Lawlor of the Chamber stated “the group wants those 31 specialized care patients to stay in North Bay; we don’t understand what has changed or why a new report was required. The 2005 report commissioned by the Ministry and facilitated by Mr. White clearly stated that North Bay was the best location for the specialized care patients and also indicated that a partnership with a long-term care facility was the best option.”

City Councillor and Chair of Cassellholme Dave Mendicino stated that “Cassellholme, after lengthy discussions with NEMHC staff, had come up with a community based solution.” Mendicino further suggested that “many synergies exist between the two organizations. In conjunction with our own redevelopment, which was announced in January, Cassellholme was a logical solution to have the patients remain in North Bay.”

President Jackie Smythe of OPSEU 636 stated the “staff are concerned that these patients will be moved away from the only “family” they know. The Sudbury location will have to undergo extensive renovations and retrofits to accommodate these patients and the staff are uncertain of which patients are moving and what staff may be affected from the decision.”

The group still has many questions as to why a new report was even required, what stakeholders had an opportunity to present their views or solutions, as well as what impact this decision will have on the patients, their families and the dedicated professionals that care for these individuals.

The group has requested meetings with officials from NEMHC, the NELHIN and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.

Members of the committee are: President Sean Lawlor and Vice President Derek Shogren, North Bay and District Chamber of Commerce; Councillor Dave Mendicino and Deputy Mayor Peter Chirico, Cassellholme representatives; and President Jackie Smythe and Staff Representative Mark Kotanen, OPSEU 636.

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