Resident concerned about SOGH ER closure
Seven Oaks honorary board member launches petition among her neighbours
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This article was published 28/08/2017 (2973 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
A longtime supporter of Seven Oaks General Hospital has started a petition in the hopes of preserving its emergency room.
At the beginning of April, the Government of Manitoba announced that three of the city’s six emergency rooms would be closing. Health officials say these changes will improve the conditions of the province’s health care system, especially the long wait-times in the ERs.
In the next year, SOGH’S emergency room will be closed and converted into an urgent care centre. Victoria Hospital and SOGH will be the only two urgent care centres in Winnipeg, offering 24-7 treatment for critical but non-life-threatening health concerns that require same-day treatment, such as illnesses and injuries that cannot wait to see a family doctor.
Olga Fuga has been involved with SOGH since its inception, and is now an honorary member of the board of trustees. She was one of the first board members when they were first allowed to build in 1972. She told The Times the hospital opened on the promise to deliver babies and since then it has overcome many challenges.
Today, SOGH mainly serves people residing in West St. Paul, the North End, West Kildonan, Old Kildonan, Middle Church, Maples, Amber Trails, River Ridge and Meadows West, Fuga said. She added people from the Interlake also use the services offered at the hospital.
“We are going to be left out in the boonies, not having any services at all,” as she confessed her disappointment with the SOGH ER closure.
Fuga is suggesting that community members protest the ER closure. She has started a petition among her neighbours and has gotten some signatures. She said the community wants and realizes the importance of the emergency department.
