Tonight (Wednesday) at Quinte West City Hall Our TMH met to celebrate their fifth year of supporting the Trenton Memorial Hospital.
The grass roots non-profit organization aims to preserve, protect and enhance services at the hospital by reaching out to the community and different levels of government to help get things done.
Our TMH began in 2015 with a rally at Trenton High School. Wendy Warner from the Trenton Memorial Hospital Foundation said that the hospital wouldn’t exist anymore if it wasn’t for the relentless work put in by the volunteers with Our TMH.
This past year Our TMH continued to push for a dialysis unit in Trenton to help relieve those suffering and their families from travelling out of town to receive the care they need.
Our TMH met with MPP Todd Smith earlier this year to get him and Queen’s Park on board. The online petition for the unit has also reached over 3,250 signatures.
“Things move slowly with these types of health care related issues, we have come a long way and will continue to push for a dialysis unit in Trenton,” said Mike Cowan chair of Our TMH.
Chair of Our TMH, Mike Cowan, is preaching patience when it comes to a dialysis unit in Trenton but insists that the organization is making strides in the right direction. Photo: Alex Mahar/Quinte News.
Cowan added, “There was a change in provincial government in the last election and that slows down the development but we continue to advertise and spread the word, they can’t ignore us forever.”
These signs are spread out across Quinte West to help push for a dialysis unit in Trenton. It’s part of the advertising effort from Our TMH. Photo: Alex Mahar/Quinte News.
Cowan says eventually it has to happen.
A dialysis unit can’t come soon enough for those suffering he adds.
Our TMH continues to spread the word through advertising and public events. Over 100 dialysis patients and 810 diabetic patients have stepped forward. Sharon Urquhart of special events and membership said that she hopes a special dialysis announcement will be made in 2020.
Map of dialysis stations near Trenton shows what those suffering have to endure to receive the necessary medical attention they require. Photo: Alex Mahar/ Quinte News.
The organization is also working hard to recruit physicians to the area. Our TMH had 40 physicians on their radar last year, that number has jumped to 72 through recruitment efforts including events, tours, newsletters, social media and welcome packages.
Our TMH looks into learners, students, and recommended physicians locally, nationally and internationally at all levels in the hopes of recruiting them to Trenton or Brighton then retaining them as well.
Brighton is losing three physicians in the next six months.
Financially from July 1 of last year to June 30 of this year the total assets saw a slight decrease to $21,737. The deficit was $916 which is higher, the total revenue was down to $15, 532 and the expenses were $943 more at $17,216.
In the election of executive officers for Our THM, Betty Clost has decided to step down as co-chair but will remain on the board. Filling her role will be Tom Kupecz who was elected to move up as the new co-chair.
