Patricia Fimio’s excellent letter (July 14th) regarding the one-bed increase in the new Groves Hospital over the existing hospital (44-45 beds) is both timely and alarming. The population of Fergus is above 20,000 and is expected to rise to 40,000 by 2040. The World Health Organization recommends five beds per 1,000 of population. Forty five beds is not even 50% of what is currently required and a mere 25% of what we will need in 2040. Sadly, this sub-standard performance is nothing new. In 2011 Canada ranked a poor 30th on a list of OECD countries with a mere 2.7 beds per 1,000…just ahead of Turkey. Japan topped the list with 13.6. The people of Fergus/Elora should be howling with outrage. We deserve better.
Harry Barrett