Community mobilizes to stop private clinic 

July 28, 2008

KINCARDINE, ON: Community protests are growing against a decision to privatize the Kincardine Hospital’s physiotherapy services.

A private for-profit physiotherapy company is moving into the Kincardine Hospital, charging for outpatient services that used to be publicly-funded.

PT Health will displace the hospital’s former physiotherapy department in August. While the hospital will contract PT Health for inpatient services, outpatients must have the means to pay for their physiotherapy or drive at least 45 minutes to another site of South Bruce Grey Health Centre.

A petition against this change is available for signature at many Kincardine area businesses. There is also an on-line version of the petition at www.ipetitions.com/petition/khkeepitpublic . 

A picket is scheduled for Thursday as community members express outrage at the creeping privatization of health care services.

The event will be held at:

Where: 43 Queen Street, outside Kincardine Hospital

When: 8:30 a.m. Thursday July 31

Who: Community members opposed to the privatization of hospital services

OPSEU and local doctors have also spoken out against the clinic.