The Mayor of Minden Hills Township says no prior consultation was held before the emergency department in Minden is set to close June 1.
The move will shift services to the hospital in Haliburton.
In a social media post, Mayor Bob Carter calls the decision by the Haliburton Highlands Health Services board of directors “ill-advised, ill-timed and an ill-planned decision”.
“The decision by HHHS to close the Minden Emergency Department on June 1st of this year compromises the health and welfare of our people and diminishes our local economy,” wrote Mayor Carter. “I was informed, along with my fellow mayors, on Wednesday night. There was absolutely no prior consultation with County or Township staff or elected officials.”
Carolyn Plummer, CEO and president of HHHS says the decision was made due to the “extraordinary measures” to keep both departments open this far, adding Haliburton was chosen because of its more central position in the county, and because Minden lacks the impatient beds to support a larger emergency department.
