Southeast Public Health Faces Backlash Over Rural Office Closures

The board of Southeast Public Health (SEPH) has requested its CEO, Dr. Piotr Oglaza, to reconsider a controversial plan to close eight rural health offices. This decision, slated to take effect in March 2024, has prompted strong criticism from various municipal leaders in eastern Ontario. The proposed closures include offices in Almonte, Gananoque, Kemptville, Napanee, Perth, Picton, and Trenton, while a facility in Cloyne would be sold.

Dr. Oglaza attributed the closures to financial constraints but emphasized that they would not result in a reduction of services. He stated that many of the rural locations operate infrequently, sometimes only hosting clinics a few times a month and remaining closed for days at a time. SEPH argues that reallocating funds from these leases could enhance service delivery.

Local officials, however, express skepticism regarding the impact of these closures. Greater Napanee Mayor Terry Richardson voiced his concerns, stating that the Napanee office provides essential services such as water testing, dental care, and nutrition programs for toddlers. “Putting a price on health care is really a sketchy business,” he remarked, questioning how services could be maintained without a physical presence in the community.

The sentiment was echoed by North Grenville Mayor Nancy Peckford, who, along with Township of Edwardsburgh Cardinal Mayor Tory Deschamps, called for transparency regarding the data behind SEPH’s decision. In a Facebook post, Peckford criticized the plan as “neither efficient nor equitable,” arguing that consolidating services into larger centers would disadvantage rural populations. She expressed concern about the lack of municipal consultation and the absence of a comprehensive impact assessment prior to the announcement.

SEPH’s board has deferred a decision on selling the Cloyne office, which would save the organization approximately $15,500 annually. Dr. Oglaza has been tasked with presenting the criteria used for determining which offices to close at the board’s next meeting scheduled for December 17, 2023.

Public health inspector Merima Kosteki also articulated her doubts about the plan. “I’m skeptical when they tell us that the closure of rural locations is going to somehow be okay,” she said during a recent news conference. Kosteki warned that the closures would undoubtedly impact service delivery and overall community health.

In response to the growing backlash, SEPH indicated it is developing a rural service strategy that may include mobile clinics, virtual testing, and partnerships with community organizations to maintain support in affected areas. As the situation unfolds, many residents and officials remain anxious about the future of health services in their communities.