Closure of Minden Emergency Department

Haliburton County Council fully understands the level of frustration and concern being voiced by the Minden community and surrounding area that is currently served by the Minden Emergency Department.

Council met with Haliburton Highlands Health Services (HHHS) CEO Carolyn Plummer and Board Chair David O'Brien at a special meeting held April 27^th to hear the rationale for their decision to close the Minden Emergency Room (ER) on June 1st.

After considerable dialogue with the HHHS representatives, Council remains extremely concerned and dissatisfied in their decision and the timing associated with the closure. We also continue to be disappointed in the absence of communication between County Council, the community and HHHS over the last number of months while this step was being considered.

We will continue to advocate on behalf of our residents to ensure that HHHS responds to questions about reorganization and ongoing service delivery in the County, including identifying and attracting services to work out of the Minden site. To that end Council will be requesting that HHHS present their implementation plan to combine emergency services at a special meeting in May.

Council's primary goal is to work collaboratively with the HHHS Board of Directors to ensure the highest quality of care possible in the County. Council has voiced a willingness to advocate with upper levels of Government for improved financial resources to ease pressures and help with the implementation of improvements. We will also continue to review how our EMS (Emergency Medical Services) and Community Paramedicine Programs can assist, as well as how they may be impacted.

HHHS have agreed to involve County Council in the completion of their operational Strategic Plan as well as working on the Capital Master Plan due to be finalized this fall.

Council is committed to ensure that effective health care services continue to be provided to all residents of Haliburton County and the visitors we welcome.

For more information read the full Closure of Minden Emergency Department media release.