On December 1, 2017, Dr. Hoskins, former Minister of Health, said, "Our government is committed to working with our partners to examine the ongoing use of the Ouellette Campus, as a means to continue to provide health services in the downtown core."
WINDSOR, ON – If a new mega-hospital is built on the un-serviced greenfield land well outside the city centre now being proposed, Windsor will have the most distant hospital of any Canadian city, warns a community coalition calling for new public and more transparent consultations into the controversial project.
The mega-hospital plan presented to the public replaces two acute care hospitals in Windsor's established neighbourhoods with one new facility beyond the airport and one urgent care centre in the downtown that will close its doors to the public at 9 p.m. every night.
With return cab fares exceeding $70 from the west end, home to many of the city's lowest income residents, many in the community believe the proposed hospital location increases barriers to health care access for a range of essential health care services and “disadvantages thousands of residents, especially those who are more economically vulnerable and don't drive, at a time when our population is aging.
“Our grassroots citizen advocacy group is saying this is not a done deal and we are calling on the provincial government to re-think this plan," says Philippa von Ziegenweidt with Citizens for an Accountable Mega-Hospital Planning Process (CAMPP), one of five groups in a newly formed community coalition with a commitment to public health care delivery.
The mega-hospital plan presented to the public replaces two acute care hospitals in Windsor's established neighbourhoods with one new facility beyond the airport and one urgent care centre in the downtown that will close its doors to the public at 9 p.m. every night.
With return cab fares exceeding $70 from the west end, home to many of the city's lowest income residents, many in the community believe the proposed hospital location increases barriers to health care access for a range of essential health care services and “disadvantages thousands of residents, especially those who are more economically vulnerable and don't drive, at a time when our population is aging.
“Our grassroots citizen advocacy group is saying this is not a done deal and we are calling on the provincial government to re-think this plan," says Philippa von Ziegenweidt with Citizens for an Accountable Mega-Hospital Planning Process (CAMPP), one of five groups in a newly formed community coalition with a commitment to public health care delivery.
The coalition organizations agree that city’s ageing hospitals are in poor shape and overcrowded.
Together they sponsored a public forum, which they see as a first step to a more responsible and representative plan for health care in Windsor.
“Hospitals in Windsor do need to be fixed and be renewed. But this proposed privately owned, enormously expensive mega-hospital, so far removed from the downtown that abandons the vulnerable inner-city population, is planning gone horribly wrong.
These decisions are far too important to be made by the tiny elite that runs the Windsor hospital,” says Michael Hurley president of the Ontario Council of Hospital Unions/CUPE (OCHU).
With a provincial election less than two-months away, Natalie Mehra executive director of the Ontario Health Coalition is urging residents to raise the very serious issues of overcrowding, long-waits and underfunding of the Windsor hospitals. She believes this is the public's best opportunity to win firm commitments to fix the crisis and to change the plan to close virtually all public hospital services in the city and move them out past the airport.
“Otherwise,” Mehra says “the costs involved are enormous and the impact on access to care for city residents -- the elderly in particular -- will be dramatic. There is a real chance here to save services in the city and to improve access to vital hospital care. If regular people raise their voices on this now, together we can make an enormous difference in thousands of peoples' lives"
Together they sponsored a public forum, which they see as a first step to a more responsible and representative plan for health care in Windsor.
“Hospitals in Windsor do need to be fixed and be renewed. But this proposed privately owned, enormously expensive mega-hospital, so far removed from the downtown that abandons the vulnerable inner-city population, is planning gone horribly wrong.
These decisions are far too important to be made by the tiny elite that runs the Windsor hospital,” says Michael Hurley president of the Ontario Council of Hospital Unions/CUPE (OCHU).
With a provincial election less than two-months away, Natalie Mehra executive director of the Ontario Health Coalition is urging residents to raise the very serious issues of overcrowding, long-waits and underfunding of the Windsor hospitals. She believes this is the public's best opportunity to win firm commitments to fix the crisis and to change the plan to close virtually all public hospital services in the city and move them out past the airport.
“Otherwise,” Mehra says “the costs involved are enormous and the impact on access to care for city residents -- the elderly in particular -- will be dramatic. There is a real chance here to save services in the city and to improve access to vital hospital care. If regular people raise their voices on this now, together we can make an enormous difference in thousands of peoples' lives"
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MAY 20, 2016
CAMPP ASKS FOR OPPORTUNITY FOR MORE THAN 3 RESIDENTS TO SPEAK AT LHIN BOARD MEETING
Citizens group concerned that general public is not being provided with meaningful opportunities to register its concerns regarding the Windsor Essex Hospitals Plan
[WINDSOR-ESSEX] The group Citizens for an Accountable Mega-Hospital Planning Process (CAMPP) has serious concerns about the speaking arrangements for the LHIN's Open Board meeting on May 24, 2016, which limits the number of residents who may address the Board at its "open mic" to three people who will only be allowed to speak if they are not affiliated with CAMPP.
In an email sent on May 18 to CAMPP by the Chair of the LHIN Board, it was explained that a maximum of three registrants will be allowed to address the Board for a maximum of 5 minutes each at next week's Board meeting at the Caboto Club, and which will start at 6pm on May 24, 2016.
Philippa von Ziegenweidt—Spokesperson for CAMPP, said, “The Erie St Clair LHIN has not held a single Board meeting in Windsor in two years, even though ours is by far the largest population under their jurisdiction. It was only after numerous requests and a lengthy process that they agreed to hold one here. Windsor-Essex residents have not had a single opportunity to register their concerns to decision-makers regarding the proposed Hospital and its satellite facilities. For this $2 billion hospital decision, it is critical that the public be provided plentiful opportunities to express their concerns in a transparent and open forum that is free of bias."
According to the Local Health System Integration Act, the Erie St. Clair LHIN has a legal mandate to engage the community of diverse persons and entities involved with the local health system. The LHIN is accountable to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, which has a mandated goal to be the most open and transparent government in the country and to work both for and with the people of this province.
Transparency and openness are essential to ensure the best decision for a hospital system to serve our community for generations to come. Our group believes that the proposed Windsor Essex Hospitals Plan is critically flawed, and we know that far more than 3 residents are interested in addressing the Board."
CAMPP groups its concerns with regard to the proposed hospital plan around the acronym "ACUTE":
Access to hospital healthcare services
Cost to the community
Urban vitality
Transparency and public consultation
Environmental sustainability
CAMPP is a group of concerned citizens that came together in 2014 to ensure that the Mega Hospital is built with the community’s best interest central to the process. It has always worked to bring greater transparency and accountability to this process in order to ensure that the community understands what is being proposed and the range of possibilities to the fullest extent possible.
MAY 20, 2016
CAMPP ASKS FOR OPPORTUNITY FOR MORE THAN 3 RESIDENTS TO SPEAK AT LHIN BOARD MEETING
Citizens group concerned that general public is not being provided with meaningful opportunities to register its concerns regarding the Windsor Essex Hospitals Plan
[WINDSOR-ESSEX] The group Citizens for an Accountable Mega-Hospital Planning Process (CAMPP) has serious concerns about the speaking arrangements for the LHIN's Open Board meeting on May 24, 2016, which limits the number of residents who may address the Board at its "open mic" to three people who will only be allowed to speak if they are not affiliated with CAMPP.
In an email sent on May 18 to CAMPP by the Chair of the LHIN Board, it was explained that a maximum of three registrants will be allowed to address the Board for a maximum of 5 minutes each at next week's Board meeting at the Caboto Club, and which will start at 6pm on May 24, 2016.
Philippa von Ziegenweidt—Spokesperson for CAMPP, said, “The Erie St Clair LHIN has not held a single Board meeting in Windsor in two years, even though ours is by far the largest population under their jurisdiction. It was only after numerous requests and a lengthy process that they agreed to hold one here. Windsor-Essex residents have not had a single opportunity to register their concerns to decision-makers regarding the proposed Hospital and its satellite facilities. For this $2 billion hospital decision, it is critical that the public be provided plentiful opportunities to express their concerns in a transparent and open forum that is free of bias."
According to the Local Health System Integration Act, the Erie St. Clair LHIN has a legal mandate to engage the community of diverse persons and entities involved with the local health system. The LHIN is accountable to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, which has a mandated goal to be the most open and transparent government in the country and to work both for and with the people of this province.
Transparency and openness are essential to ensure the best decision for a hospital system to serve our community for generations to come. Our group believes that the proposed Windsor Essex Hospitals Plan is critically flawed, and we know that far more than 3 residents are interested in addressing the Board."
CAMPP groups its concerns with regard to the proposed hospital plan around the acronym "ACUTE":
Access to hospital healthcare services
Cost to the community
Urban vitality
Transparency and public consultation
Environmental sustainability
CAMPP is a group of concerned citizens that came together in 2014 to ensure that the Mega Hospital is built with the community’s best interest central to the process. It has always worked to bring greater transparency and accountability to this process in order to ensure that the community understands what is being proposed and the range of possibilities to the fullest extent possible.
December 19, 2015
Your Worship Drew Dilkens
Mayor—City of Windsor
350 City Hall Square West
Windsor, Ontario
N9A 6S1
Dear Mayor Dilkens,
I am writing you as the Spokesperson for Citizens for an Accountable Mega-Hospital Planning Process (CAMPP). As you are aware, we are a citizen’s advocacy group in the Windsor-Essex region, working to ensure that our community is fully involved in the development and implementation of the proposed Single Site Acute Care Hospital (Mega-Hospital) project.
Shane Mitchell wrote to you on May 20, 2015, requesting a meeting with our group to discuss our concerns. You declined to meet with us.
Our group wrote to Council on September 14, 2015, requesting an opportunity to present our concerns regarding the location of the Mega-Hospital. This request was denied.
We also wrote to you on November 23, 2015, with copies to all the councillors, requesting that you compare the other short-listed sites for the proposed Mega-Hospital in the context of overall costs to the City, and access for residents. We have not received a reply from you.
On Friday, December 18, 2015, the agenda for Monday’s Council meeting was circulated. Item 8 includes a request from the Hospital Steering Committee that we assume to be a request for a financial commitment towards the local component of the hospital construction cost.
For these reasons, we strongly urge you to defer any discussion on this matter until a later meeting in the not too distant future when the community can be given a greater opportunity to participate in this crucial discussion.
I would be grateful if you would include this letter, together with the attached document outlining our group’s concerns, in the public record for the December 21, 2015, Council meeting.
Sincerely,
Philippa von Ziegenweidt
Spokesperson—Citizens for an Accountable Mega-Hospital Planning Process (CAMPP)
www.windsormegahospital.ca
Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/windsormegahospital
Email: [email protected]
c.c. City of Windsor Coucillors (All)
Hon. Kathleen Wynne—Premier of Ontario
Hon. Eric Hoskins—Minister of Health and Long-Term Care
Dr Bob Bell—Deputy Minister of Health and Long-Term Care
Mr. Tom Bain—Essex County Warden
Ms. Lisa Gretzky—MPP Windsor-West
Mr. Percy Hatfield—MPP Windsor-Tecumseh
Mr. Taras Natyshak—MPP Essex
Dr. Martin Girash—Chair LHIN Erie St. Clair
Mr. Gary Switzer—CEO LHIN Erie St. Clair
Mr. David Musyj—Co-Chair Programs and Steering Committee LHIN Erie St. Clair
Mr. Dave Cooke—Co-Chair Programs and Steering Committee LHIN Erie St. Clair
Mr. Matt Marchand—CEO Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce
Mr. Brian Hogan—President Windsor District Labour Council
Your Worship Drew Dilkens
Mayor—City of Windsor
350 City Hall Square West
Windsor, Ontario
N9A 6S1
Dear Mayor Dilkens,
I am writing you as the Spokesperson for Citizens for an Accountable Mega-Hospital Planning Process (CAMPP). As you are aware, we are a citizen’s advocacy group in the Windsor-Essex region, working to ensure that our community is fully involved in the development and implementation of the proposed Single Site Acute Care Hospital (Mega-Hospital) project.
Shane Mitchell wrote to you on May 20, 2015, requesting a meeting with our group to discuss our concerns. You declined to meet with us.
Our group wrote to Council on September 14, 2015, requesting an opportunity to present our concerns regarding the location of the Mega-Hospital. This request was denied.
We also wrote to you on November 23, 2015, with copies to all the councillors, requesting that you compare the other short-listed sites for the proposed Mega-Hospital in the context of overall costs to the City, and access for residents. We have not received a reply from you.
On Friday, December 18, 2015, the agenda for Monday’s Council meeting was circulated. Item 8 includes a request from the Hospital Steering Committee that we assume to be a request for a financial commitment towards the local component of the hospital construction cost.
- The item refers to an attached report that is not included in the posted online documents on the City’s website.
- The extraordinary timing of Monday’s meeting during the afternoon makes it difficult for residents with day-jobs to attend.
- The timing of the inclusion of this item in the agenda did not allow delegations to sign up to speak to the issue before Friday’s noon deadline.
- As pointed out above, the community has not yet had a single opportunity to discuss its concerns regarding the proposed Mega-Hospital before Council. Even a commitment in principle cannot be an endorsement of the proposal as presented.
- The Ministry of Health has not yet approved the Mega-Hospital proposal.
For these reasons, we strongly urge you to defer any discussion on this matter until a later meeting in the not too distant future when the community can be given a greater opportunity to participate in this crucial discussion.
I would be grateful if you would include this letter, together with the attached document outlining our group’s concerns, in the public record for the December 21, 2015, Council meeting.
Sincerely,
Philippa von Ziegenweidt
Spokesperson—Citizens for an Accountable Mega-Hospital Planning Process (CAMPP)
www.windsormegahospital.ca
Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/windsormegahospital
Email: [email protected]
c.c. City of Windsor Coucillors (All)
Hon. Kathleen Wynne—Premier of Ontario
Hon. Eric Hoskins—Minister of Health and Long-Term Care
Dr Bob Bell—Deputy Minister of Health and Long-Term Care
Mr. Tom Bain—Essex County Warden
Ms. Lisa Gretzky—MPP Windsor-West
Mr. Percy Hatfield—MPP Windsor-Tecumseh
Mr. Taras Natyshak—MPP Essex
Dr. Martin Girash—Chair LHIN Erie St. Clair
Mr. Gary Switzer—CEO LHIN Erie St. Clair
Mr. David Musyj—Co-Chair Programs and Steering Committee LHIN Erie St. Clair
Mr. Dave Cooke—Co-Chair Programs and Steering Committee LHIN Erie St. Clair
Mr. Matt Marchand—CEO Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce
Mr. Brian Hogan—President Windsor District Labour Council
November 24, 2015
Your Worship Drew Dilkens
Mayor—City of Windsor
350 City Hall Square West
Windsor, Ontario
N9A 6S1
Dear Mayor Dilkens,
I am writing you as the Spokesperson for Citizens for an Accountable Mega-Hospital Planning Process (CAMPP). We are a citizen’s advocacy group in the Windsor-Essex region, working to ensure that our community is fully involved in the development and implementation of the proposed Single Site Acute Care Hospital (Mega-Hospital) project.
I would like to express to you some of the deep-seated concerns members of CAMPP have with respect to the Mega-Hospital thus far. From its inception, CAMPP has held very simple, critically-engaged goals. We have consistently endeavoured to both promote and provide greater transparency regarding this project, and worked to help ensure the project improves the delivery of acute healthcare services in the region, as well as other services not provided at other healthcare facilities in the community.
Our primary collective concern at present is the selected site for the Mega-Hospital itself. The 9th Concession and County Rd. 42 location raises a series of extremely troublesome and challenging questions which have remained unanswered. These questions are particularly pertinent for the City of Windsor.
The choice to build the new hospital on this site raises some very important questions. CAMPP is asking the community, and community leaders such as yourself, to consider the following:
It has been widely reported that the infrastructure upgrades to accommodate the new hospital at this location could exceed $200M. Jurisdictionally, much of the necessary investment would typically be the responsibility of the City. We understand that our community has a major infrastructure deficit. CAMPP is concerned that this project creates new and significant challenges for the City.
Our community has gone through robust debate on the question of growth and investment. Council, for example, has repeatedly affirmed the mantra that "growth must pay for growth", thus establishing and approving the new municipal Development Charge fee structure. However, if the Mega-Hospital proceeds at the selected site, it is quite clear that it will be built prior to any new residential or commercial development in the area.
As a result, it will be citizens across the community who will be asked to subsidize this “growth” on the outskirts of the city, rather than the developers and investors outlined as per the recent municipal policy.
Furthermore, CAMPP’s analysis of the question of access to healthcare services demonstrates that on average, most residents in the community will be negatively impacted on this front at the proposed location.
Also, and perhaps most disturbingly, the message delivered to the community has been that simply raising challenging questions about this project and its process could jeopardize our community’s opportunity to secure investment from the Province to improve our regional healthcare service delivery systems.
This is chillingly undemocratic.
It is our understanding that the currently proposed site was short-listed along with other proposed locations for the new hospital. CAMPP is therefore asking you to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the cost to the City of infrastructure and service upgrades required for locating the new hospital on the other short-listed sites, compared to the currently selected location.
Frankly, it is this kind of information that is essential for you and your colleagues on Council to make a sound, fact-based decision on this critical issue. This information is also vital for other stakeholders, such as the County, the Province, and the local community at large.
We are presently being asked to support a major proposal requiring significant public investment; and yet, we – you and Council included - lack basic, pertinent information. We are deeply concerned about this lack of transparency and urge you, as Mayor, to flesh out and further engage with these critical questions, so we can come together as a community to support the proposal that makes the most sense for our region.
We are prepared to assist cooperatively in whatever capacity we can to achieve this goal.
Sincerely,
Philippa von Ziegenweidt
Spokesperson—Citizens for an Accountable Mega-Hospital Planning Process (CAMPP)
www.windsormegahospital.ca
Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/windsormegahospital
Email: [email protected]
c.c.
City of Windsor Coucillors (All)
Hon. Kathleen Wynne—Premier of Ontario
Hon. Eric Hoskins—Minister of Health and Long-Term Care
Dr Bob Bell—Deputy Minister of Health and Long-Term Care
Mr. Tom Bain—Essex County Warden
Ms. Lisa Gretzky—MPP Windsor-West
Mr. Percy Hatfield—MPP Windsor-Tecumseh
Mr. Taras Natyshak—MPP Essex
Dr. Martin Girash—Chair LHIN Erie St. Clair
Mr. Gary Switzer—CEO LHIN Erie St. Clair
Mr. David Musyj—Co-Chair Programs and Steering Committee LHIN Erie St. Clair
Mr. Dave Cooke—Co-Chair Programs and Steering Committee LHIN Erie St. Clair
Mr. Matt Marchand—CEO Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce
Mr. Brian Hogan—President Windsor District Labour Council
Your Worship Drew Dilkens
Mayor—City of Windsor
350 City Hall Square West
Windsor, Ontario
N9A 6S1
Dear Mayor Dilkens,
I am writing you as the Spokesperson for Citizens for an Accountable Mega-Hospital Planning Process (CAMPP). We are a citizen’s advocacy group in the Windsor-Essex region, working to ensure that our community is fully involved in the development and implementation of the proposed Single Site Acute Care Hospital (Mega-Hospital) project.
I would like to express to you some of the deep-seated concerns members of CAMPP have with respect to the Mega-Hospital thus far. From its inception, CAMPP has held very simple, critically-engaged goals. We have consistently endeavoured to both promote and provide greater transparency regarding this project, and worked to help ensure the project improves the delivery of acute healthcare services in the region, as well as other services not provided at other healthcare facilities in the community.
Our primary collective concern at present is the selected site for the Mega-Hospital itself. The 9th Concession and County Rd. 42 location raises a series of extremely troublesome and challenging questions which have remained unanswered. These questions are particularly pertinent for the City of Windsor.
The choice to build the new hospital on this site raises some very important questions. CAMPP is asking the community, and community leaders such as yourself, to consider the following:
- Who will pay the hefty price tag to construct the necessary supporting infrastructure on this largely under-developed part of the City?
- How does locating the acute care hospital on the outskirts of the City improve access to health care for citizens?
- Why are citizens being told that questioning this decision jeopardizes our opportunity to secure needed health care investment to improve service in the region?
It has been widely reported that the infrastructure upgrades to accommodate the new hospital at this location could exceed $200M. Jurisdictionally, much of the necessary investment would typically be the responsibility of the City. We understand that our community has a major infrastructure deficit. CAMPP is concerned that this project creates new and significant challenges for the City.
Our community has gone through robust debate on the question of growth and investment. Council, for example, has repeatedly affirmed the mantra that "growth must pay for growth", thus establishing and approving the new municipal Development Charge fee structure. However, if the Mega-Hospital proceeds at the selected site, it is quite clear that it will be built prior to any new residential or commercial development in the area.
As a result, it will be citizens across the community who will be asked to subsidize this “growth” on the outskirts of the city, rather than the developers and investors outlined as per the recent municipal policy.
Furthermore, CAMPP’s analysis of the question of access to healthcare services demonstrates that on average, most residents in the community will be negatively impacted on this front at the proposed location.
Also, and perhaps most disturbingly, the message delivered to the community has been that simply raising challenging questions about this project and its process could jeopardize our community’s opportunity to secure investment from the Province to improve our regional healthcare service delivery systems.
This is chillingly undemocratic.
It is our understanding that the currently proposed site was short-listed along with other proposed locations for the new hospital. CAMPP is therefore asking you to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the cost to the City of infrastructure and service upgrades required for locating the new hospital on the other short-listed sites, compared to the currently selected location.
Frankly, it is this kind of information that is essential for you and your colleagues on Council to make a sound, fact-based decision on this critical issue. This information is also vital for other stakeholders, such as the County, the Province, and the local community at large.
We are presently being asked to support a major proposal requiring significant public investment; and yet, we – you and Council included - lack basic, pertinent information. We are deeply concerned about this lack of transparency and urge you, as Mayor, to flesh out and further engage with these critical questions, so we can come together as a community to support the proposal that makes the most sense for our region.
We are prepared to assist cooperatively in whatever capacity we can to achieve this goal.
Sincerely,
Philippa von Ziegenweidt
Spokesperson—Citizens for an Accountable Mega-Hospital Planning Process (CAMPP)
www.windsormegahospital.ca
Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/windsormegahospital
Email: [email protected]
c.c.
City of Windsor Coucillors (All)
Hon. Kathleen Wynne—Premier of Ontario
Hon. Eric Hoskins—Minister of Health and Long-Term Care
Dr Bob Bell—Deputy Minister of Health and Long-Term Care
Mr. Tom Bain—Essex County Warden
Ms. Lisa Gretzky—MPP Windsor-West
Mr. Percy Hatfield—MPP Windsor-Tecumseh
Mr. Taras Natyshak—MPP Essex
Dr. Martin Girash—Chair LHIN Erie St. Clair
Mr. Gary Switzer—CEO LHIN Erie St. Clair
Mr. David Musyj—Co-Chair Programs and Steering Committee LHIN Erie St. Clair
Mr. Dave Cooke—Co-Chair Programs and Steering Committee LHIN Erie St. Clair
Mr. Matt Marchand—CEO Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce
Mr. Brian Hogan—President Windsor District Labour Council
Letter sent by CAMPP to the Steering Committee, as well as the Site Selection Committee and the Erie St Clair LHIN
June 8, 2014
To the Steering Committee:
We are writing to let you know that CAMPP (Citizens for an Accountable Megahospital Planning Process) respectfully believes the WRH survey process to prioritize the site selection criteria for the new hospital is gravely flawed:
We urge you to consider these shortcomings urgently and take whatever steps are needed to consult the public’s opinion in a comprehensive manner before proceeding further.
The credibility of your next steps will surely be further undermined if the Site Selection Committee starts site evaluations on the basis of this one hospital survey.
What we have seen to date does not yet reflect Mr. Musyj’s assertion (CBC1, May 27) that this is “the most inclusive, transparent, fulsome process that will result in the best decision for the location of the new hospital.”
We believe a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity lies before our community. The location of the new hospital will certainly affect our urban fabric for the rest of our lives. As decision makers, the Steering Committee members have an influence and a responsibility that go beyond direct health care.
With a project of this magnitude and importance, it is imperative that you take the time to do it right.
Respectfully,
Ian Coffin
Chris Holt
Shane Mitchell
Kathryn Tisdale
Philippa von Ziegenweidt
CAMPP Steering Committee
Citizens for an Accountable Megahospital Planning Process
June 8, 2014
To the Steering Committee:
We are writing to let you know that CAMPP (Citizens for an Accountable Megahospital Planning Process) respectfully believes the WRH survey process to prioritize the site selection criteria for the new hospital is gravely flawed:
- The time provided is too short. Two weeks is not enough time to put the word out to enough members of the public. Although we understand a sincere effort was made to communicate through various media channels, many people missed these broadcasts. They are disappointed that they did not know the public input process had started. It is normal practice among community organizations to let surveys run at least 30 to 60 days, going to to great lengths to engage a broad range of community groups. By way of comparison, the recent Pathway to Potential community survey has been circulating for 3 months to enable as many stakeholder groups as possible to be included in the process.
- The criteria the survey asks respondents to prioritize have little connection to the priorities that are important to many of us living in Windsor and Essex County. While there is an opportunity to mention other concerns in the comments, the fact is that the survey does not refer to two concerns that are foremost in most people’s minds. These are whether the hospital should be located in the Windsor core, on the outskirts of the urban core or in the county, and whether it should be built on brownfield or on greenfield land.
- The survey requires respondents to provide their name and email address. It does not ask for any demographic data. The data is essential to evaluate the survey’s reach. This approach is contrary to standard practice in conducting public surveys. It could inhibit candid responses from many citizens with vested interests, in particular those who work for hospitals, municipalities and developers.
We urge you to consider these shortcomings urgently and take whatever steps are needed to consult the public’s opinion in a comprehensive manner before proceeding further.
The credibility of your next steps will surely be further undermined if the Site Selection Committee starts site evaluations on the basis of this one hospital survey.
What we have seen to date does not yet reflect Mr. Musyj’s assertion (CBC1, May 27) that this is “the most inclusive, transparent, fulsome process that will result in the best decision for the location of the new hospital.”
We believe a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity lies before our community. The location of the new hospital will certainly affect our urban fabric for the rest of our lives. As decision makers, the Steering Committee members have an influence and a responsibility that go beyond direct health care.
With a project of this magnitude and importance, it is imperative that you take the time to do it right.
Respectfully,
Ian Coffin
Chris Holt
Shane Mitchell
Kathryn Tisdale
Philippa von Ziegenweidt
CAMPP Steering Committee
Citizens for an Accountable Megahospital Planning Process
Reply Received
6/10/2014
Dear CAMPP Steering Committee:
This letter is written with respect to your email dated June 8, 2014. We shared your email and this response with the Program and Services Steering Committee (“Steering Committee”) before sending.
We appreciate some of you have created a group called CAMPP (Citizens for an Accountable Megahospital Planning Process). The Steering Committee, that has been appointed in accordance with the agreement of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and supported by the Erie St Clair LHIN, is committed to having an “accountable planning process” for the new state-of-the-art acute care hospital.
We appreciate your passion, comments and advocacy for the new state-of-the-art acute care hospital. The transparent and inclusive process that has been created to date has allowed for individuals like you to become involved in this process. In many cases across Canada, the site for a new hospital has been selected by a few individuals and has not involved the community at all.
The current planning process for a new state-of-the-art acute care site for Windsor-Essex has been and will continue to be the most inclusive, transparent and fulsome process. We have been told this directly by all of the consultants that have been hired and have worked with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care on projects like this for decades. They are the ones that have told us the process we have put into place is the most inclusive, transparent and fulsome process and have used the words “brave” to describe the process we are following.
It is our understanding that inviting community members to sit on a Site Selection Committee for a new hospital is unique. In this case all eleven (11) members of the site selection committee are unpaid volunteers from Windsor-Essex. Members of CAMPP were encouraged to apply to be part of the committee. The name “Citizens for an Accountable Megahospital Planning Process” suggests members of your group and the Steering Committee share similar goals - an open and accountable planning process, one that should not and cannot be bias toward any one particular location. We are aware and appreciate that CAMPP provided notice through social media informing individuals of the opportunity to apply and the timelines associated with the application itself. Again, we thank you for spreading the word.
No one has ever shared with and asked for feedback from the community as to the actual draft criteria that will be used by a site selection committee either in advance or after the fact. What was shared with the community is the actual document the Steering Committee created. It was not modified in any form. Any modification would not accurately obtain true community feedback on the site selection criteria. We received close to 600 responses. Some of the signatories to your email provided direct feedback on the draft criteria. We appreciate your individual feedback. It will be taken into account by the Steering Committee as it finalizes the criteria and provides the necessary weighting of the criteria to be used by the Site Selection Committee.
Based upon the volume and timing of the responses we have concluded that providing over two weeks for the community to respond and comment was sufficient. In addition, getting feedback from the community on the draft criteria to be used for site selection was never meant to be a “scientific survey,” but, rather, another opportunity for the community to provide input in the process.
In addition to seeking the community input on the draft criteria, the following is a sampling of the various forms of community engagement that has occurred during both Stage 1A and Stage 1B in just the last six months alone. This does not even take into account the community engagement that took place by the Task Force in 2012 that resulted in the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care providing the funding to support this very planning process.
The Program and Services Steering Committee is committed to ensuring an open, fair, inclusive and transparent site selection process, and to ensuring the capital planning process will result in a new state-of-the-art acute care hospital for the Windsor-Essex community and not just a particular segment of the population within Windsor-Essex. We appreciate hearing from individuals like yourself and others in Windsor-Essex and understanding all views and interests. This is just the start of the planning process and the community will continue to be engaged. This is the community’s hospital for not only our lifetime, but for decades and generations to come.
In the past we have spoken with individuals who claim to be associated with CAMPP, and offered to meet with members of the group to answer any questions. This invitation still stands. Please contact us and we would be more than glad to arrange a convenient time.
Yours truly,
Dave Cooke, Co –Chair Program and Services Steering Committee
David Musyj, Co –Chair Program and Services Steering Committee
6/10/2014
Dear CAMPP Steering Committee:
This letter is written with respect to your email dated June 8, 2014. We shared your email and this response with the Program and Services Steering Committee (“Steering Committee”) before sending.
We appreciate some of you have created a group called CAMPP (Citizens for an Accountable Megahospital Planning Process). The Steering Committee, that has been appointed in accordance with the agreement of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and supported by the Erie St Clair LHIN, is committed to having an “accountable planning process” for the new state-of-the-art acute care hospital.
We appreciate your passion, comments and advocacy for the new state-of-the-art acute care hospital. The transparent and inclusive process that has been created to date has allowed for individuals like you to become involved in this process. In many cases across Canada, the site for a new hospital has been selected by a few individuals and has not involved the community at all.
The current planning process for a new state-of-the-art acute care site for Windsor-Essex has been and will continue to be the most inclusive, transparent and fulsome process. We have been told this directly by all of the consultants that have been hired and have worked with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care on projects like this for decades. They are the ones that have told us the process we have put into place is the most inclusive, transparent and fulsome process and have used the words “brave” to describe the process we are following.
It is our understanding that inviting community members to sit on a Site Selection Committee for a new hospital is unique. In this case all eleven (11) members of the site selection committee are unpaid volunteers from Windsor-Essex. Members of CAMPP were encouraged to apply to be part of the committee. The name “Citizens for an Accountable Megahospital Planning Process” suggests members of your group and the Steering Committee share similar goals - an open and accountable planning process, one that should not and cannot be bias toward any one particular location. We are aware and appreciate that CAMPP provided notice through social media informing individuals of the opportunity to apply and the timelines associated with the application itself. Again, we thank you for spreading the word.
No one has ever shared with and asked for feedback from the community as to the actual draft criteria that will be used by a site selection committee either in advance or after the fact. What was shared with the community is the actual document the Steering Committee created. It was not modified in any form. Any modification would not accurately obtain true community feedback on the site selection criteria. We received close to 600 responses. Some of the signatories to your email provided direct feedback on the draft criteria. We appreciate your individual feedback. It will be taken into account by the Steering Committee as it finalizes the criteria and provides the necessary weighting of the criteria to be used by the Site Selection Committee.
Based upon the volume and timing of the responses we have concluded that providing over two weeks for the community to respond and comment was sufficient. In addition, getting feedback from the community on the draft criteria to be used for site selection was never meant to be a “scientific survey,” but, rather, another opportunity for the community to provide input in the process.
In addition to seeking the community input on the draft criteria, the following is a sampling of the various forms of community engagement that has occurred during both Stage 1A and Stage 1B in just the last six months alone. This does not even take into account the community engagement that took place by the Task Force in 2012 that resulted in the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care providing the funding to support this very planning process.
- A website has been created www.windsorhospitals.ca. This website provides regular updates on the capital planning process and has sections where people can ask questions related to the capital planning process. Several people have asked questions and have had email responses. The site also has a place where interested parties and groups can request a presentation related to the new hospital project and a place where individuals can leave an email address so they can get information updates and information on opportunities for participation (ie. the survey). Information and updates are also regularly communicated on Facebook, Twitter and the WRH blog where individuals are free to ask questions.
- January 27, 2014 – Rotary Club of Windsor (1918) presentation on the capital planning process
- February 21, 2014 – WRH launches blog inviting the community to take a tour of some of the most modern and state-of-the art hospitals being built in Ontario and beyond. The interactive blog allows viewers to leave comments which the hospital regularly responds to. Since February, there have been more than 4000 views.
- February 21, 2014 – Presentation with Q&A - Amherstburg Chamber of Commerce Excellence Awards Presentation
- February 26, 2014 – Presentation with Q&A -Windsor Regional Hospital Retirees Association
- March 2, 2014 – Presentation with Q&A - Canadian Italian Business and Professional Association
- April 6, 2014 – Presentation with Q&A - All Saints Anglican Church
- April 9, 2014 – Presentation with Q&A - Kiwanis Club Windsor Roseland – this meeting was opened to the public. .
- May 1, 2014 – Presentation with Q&A - Windsor Executives Association Meeting
- May 7, 2014 – The Steering Committee overseeing the planning of a new state-of-the-art hospital put out a request for individuals to sit on the Site Selection Subcommittee. Close to 80 applications were submitted.
- May 8, 2014 – Live Town Hall Broadcast on AM 800 – 7 pm – 8 pm with Co-chairs of the Program and Services Steering Committee taking questions from callers. This event was advertised online, through social media, on our blog, in the Windsor Star and on AM800. For those who missed it, a podcast is available at: http://www.wrh.on.ca/Site_Published/AcuteCare/RichText.aspx?Body.QueryId.Id=57496&LeftNav.QueryId.Categories=774
- May 25, 2014 – The Steering Committee overseeing the process put out a survey asking the community to provide input on site selection criteria. The survey was posted online, covered by all major news media outlets, and sent to members of our email list. A phone number was also included so those without internet access could participate. That number was published in the Windsor Star.
- May 28, 2014 – Co-chairs of the Program and Services Steering Committee join Lynn Martin in studio at AM800 and take phone calls from the public for 3 hours. This event was advertised in the Windsor Star, on social media and sent to members of the hospital’s email list. For those who missed it, a podcast is available at:
- http://www.wrh.on.ca/Site_Published/AcuteCare/RichText.aspx?Body.QueryId.Id=57496&LeftNav.QueryId.Categories=774
The Program and Services Steering Committee is committed to ensuring an open, fair, inclusive and transparent site selection process, and to ensuring the capital planning process will result in a new state-of-the-art acute care hospital for the Windsor-Essex community and not just a particular segment of the population within Windsor-Essex. We appreciate hearing from individuals like yourself and others in Windsor-Essex and understanding all views and interests. This is just the start of the planning process and the community will continue to be engaged. This is the community’s hospital for not only our lifetime, but for decades and generations to come.
In the past we have spoken with individuals who claim to be associated with CAMPP, and offered to meet with members of the group to answer any questions. This invitation still stands. Please contact us and we would be more than glad to arrange a convenient time.
Yours truly,
Dave Cooke, Co –Chair Program and Services Steering Committee
David Musyj, Co –Chair Program and Services Steering Committee
Media Release – May 26, 2014
Citizens’ group proposes an urban site for megahospital and asks local MPP Candidates for their position
Windsor, Ontario - Local citizens, dismayed at the announcement in early March calling for 50-60 acres of undeveloped land on the outkirts of Windsor for a new acute care hospital, have formed a group to advocate for a different approach.
We call ourselves CAMPP – Citizens for an Accountable Megahospital Planning Process. We believe that developing a large parcel of greenfield land outside the urban core will increase unhealthy urban sprawl, undermine efficient access to medical services, and harm the local economy, all to the long term detriment of Windsor and Essex County residents. Such development goes against all modern urban planning principles for creating the vibrant cities and healthy rural areas vital to our health, economy and quality of life.
If the hospital is built outside the urban core, medical and commercial support services, and a wide variety of businesses, will be forced to follow, creating urban sprawl while removing these businesses from the urban fabric of Windsor. Such sprawl will create new demands for roads, sewers and other infrastructure, all at the expense of the taxpayer. These costs will likely be much greater than the cost of preparing an urban site. Additionally, a greenfield site will not be within easy, affordable travelling distance for many patients and their families, and will increase travel time for medical professionals and suppliers, affecting the delivery of medical care. Most of these setbacks will affect both urban and rural residents.
We believe it is possible to plan a hospital that is easily accessible by county residents, while taking advantage of the efficiencies and services of an urban site. A properly planned urban site can provide more than enough parking and room for future expansion. If the largest hospital in Canada can be developed on 43 acres (Montreal), then how can the claim that “50 – 60 acres is required for the project” be credible?
We have formed a group to advocate on two related issues:
CAMPP encourages everyone to visit our website www.windsormegahospital.ca for more information on this important issue, and to fill out the opinion survey at bit.ly/windsormegahospital.
CAMPP would like everyone to know where their MPP candidates stand on issues affecting the proposed hospital, and have created a candidate questionnaire. Responses will be posted to our website. A copy of the questionnaire will be sent to each candidate and to the organizers of Thursday’s Chamber of Commerce Provincial Election All Candidate’s Debate.
Contact:
For more information, please contact
Philippa von Ziegenweidt
email: [email protected]
web: www.windsormegahospital.ca
ph: 519-974 2789
______________________________________________________________
Candidate Questionnaire – May 26, 2014
Dear Candidate:
We’d like to know where you stand on issues related to the proposed single site acute care hospital for the area.
We request that you respond to the three questions below and return the questionnaire to us at [email protected] at your earliest convenience. We will post all responses on our website.
We are sending copies of this letter and our questions to the local media, as well as to organizers of Thursday’s Chamber of Commerce debate.
Thank you for your time and attention.
CAMPP - Citizens for an Accountable Megahospital Planning Process
www.windsormegahospital.ca
MPP Candidate Questionnaire re Proposed Single Site Acute Care Hospital
1. Do you support a proposed single site acute care hospital for the region?
2. If elected, will you help ensure the widest possible community consultation and democratic process in the development of the hospital?
3. What criteria do you consider important when considering a site for a new hospital?
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Citizens’ group proposes an urban site for megahospital and asks local MPP Candidates for their position
Windsor, Ontario - Local citizens, dismayed at the announcement in early March calling for 50-60 acres of undeveloped land on the outkirts of Windsor for a new acute care hospital, have formed a group to advocate for a different approach.
We call ourselves CAMPP – Citizens for an Accountable Megahospital Planning Process. We believe that developing a large parcel of greenfield land outside the urban core will increase unhealthy urban sprawl, undermine efficient access to medical services, and harm the local economy, all to the long term detriment of Windsor and Essex County residents. Such development goes against all modern urban planning principles for creating the vibrant cities and healthy rural areas vital to our health, economy and quality of life.
If the hospital is built outside the urban core, medical and commercial support services, and a wide variety of businesses, will be forced to follow, creating urban sprawl while removing these businesses from the urban fabric of Windsor. Such sprawl will create new demands for roads, sewers and other infrastructure, all at the expense of the taxpayer. These costs will likely be much greater than the cost of preparing an urban site. Additionally, a greenfield site will not be within easy, affordable travelling distance for many patients and their families, and will increase travel time for medical professionals and suppliers, affecting the delivery of medical care. Most of these setbacks will affect both urban and rural residents.
We believe it is possible to plan a hospital that is easily accessible by county residents, while taking advantage of the efficiencies and services of an urban site. A properly planned urban site can provide more than enough parking and room for future expansion. If the largest hospital in Canada can be developed on 43 acres (Montreal), then how can the claim that “50 – 60 acres is required for the project” be credible?
We have formed a group to advocate on two related issues:
- To ensure the planning process for a new hospital does indeed include a significant opportunity for the public and urban planning experts to contribute to selection of the site.
- To advocate specifically for an urban site.
CAMPP encourages everyone to visit our website www.windsormegahospital.ca for more information on this important issue, and to fill out the opinion survey at bit.ly/windsormegahospital.
CAMPP would like everyone to know where their MPP candidates stand on issues affecting the proposed hospital, and have created a candidate questionnaire. Responses will be posted to our website. A copy of the questionnaire will be sent to each candidate and to the organizers of Thursday’s Chamber of Commerce Provincial Election All Candidate’s Debate.
Contact:
For more information, please contact
Philippa von Ziegenweidt
email: [email protected]
web: www.windsormegahospital.ca
ph: 519-974 2789
______________________________________________________________
Candidate Questionnaire – May 26, 2014
Dear Candidate:
We’d like to know where you stand on issues related to the proposed single site acute care hospital for the area.
We request that you respond to the three questions below and return the questionnaire to us at [email protected] at your earliest convenience. We will post all responses on our website.
We are sending copies of this letter and our questions to the local media, as well as to organizers of Thursday’s Chamber of Commerce debate.
Thank you for your time and attention.
CAMPP - Citizens for an Accountable Megahospital Planning Process
www.windsormegahospital.ca
MPP Candidate Questionnaire re Proposed Single Site Acute Care Hospital
1. Do you support a proposed single site acute care hospital for the region?
2. If elected, will you help ensure the widest possible community consultation and democratic process in the development of the hospital?
3. What criteria do you consider important when considering a site for a new hospital?
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