(Cambellford) The fate of Northumberland Countys ambulance services will be the subject of a Town Hall meeting being held next Tuesday night in Cambellford.
The information meeting is being sponsored by Paramedics and other health care workers who are concerned about the possible privatization of ambulance services throughout the county.
It is being held at the Cambellford District High School, in the cafeteria, at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday May 9.
Guest speakers include:
- Michael Hurley, President of the Ontario Council of Hospital Unions (OCHU)
- Michael Dick, Paramedic from neighbouring Durham Region
County council has put out a Request for Proposals, or RFP, asking for bids from the private sector to take over delivery of ambulance services. Such a move runs contrary to what the vast majority of other municipal and regional governments have done in the wake of the provinces decision to download ambulance services.
Council meets on May 15 to review the issue. A final decision is scheduled for June 21.
The Paramedics who are strongly urging Council to keep the system public will be asking residents to join them in a lawn sign campaign to send elected officials a message that our emergency health care services are not for sale.
The Paramedics believe there is strong public support for making the system fully public and having the County run it.
For information:
Chris Lake, Paramedic Spokesperson
(705) 653-2771 (h)
Wanda Tucker, President, CUPE Local 2247
(705) 653-5850 (h)
John McCracken, CUPE Communications Rep.
(416) 292-3999 (o)