We, the undersigned residents of Smiths Falls, hereby submit this petition to express our profound concern regarding the declining quality of patient care at Smiths Falls & Perth District Hospital. While the hospital’s reported metrics may appear satisfactory, the lived experiences of patients reveal a disturbing pattern of inadequate and, at times, discriminatory practices. We urge the council to investigate these serious issues and take decisive action to ensure our community receives the healthcare it deserves.

A consistent and troubling pattern of substandard care has emerged, impacting numerous individuals and families in our community. These issues include:

- Substandard Treatment by Staff: Patients report feeling dismissed, unheard, and treated with a lack of respect and empathy by some hospital staff.

- Doctor Shortages: The chronic shortage of doctors results in prolonged wait times, difficulty securing appointments, and a pervasive sense of abandonment within the healthcare system.

- Untimely Emergency Care: Delays in receiving timely and appropriate care in the emergency room represent a grave risk to patient health and safety.

- Discriminatory Practices: We have received deeply disturbing reports of patients being discriminated against solely due to sharing a last name with known individuals with substance abuse issues. This prejudiced practice is unacceptable and must cease immediately. Denying or delaying care based on such biased assumptions is unethical and potentially illegal.

- Premature Discharge and Lack of Seriousness: Patients report feeling pressured to leave the hospital prematurely, often with their symptoms minimized or dismissed entirely in what appears to be a concerted effort to manage bed occupancy. This practice has resulted in delayed or inaccurate diagnoses, leading to prolonged suffering and unnecessary medical interventions.

- Inadequate Pediatric Care and Follow-Up: The care provided to children, particularly concerning necessary follow-up appointments and specialized care, is deeply concerning and demands immediate attention.

- Lack of Patient Support: Patients and their families feel unsupported and abandoned throughout their healthcare journey, lacking adequate resources, guidance, and communication from the hospital.

The consequences of these failures are far-reaching. Patients are subjected to protracted and often fruitless diagnostic odysseys due to delayed or incorrect diagnoses, resulting in prolonged suffering, increased healthcare costs, and diminished quality of life. This erodes public trust in our local hospital and cultivates a climate of fear and anxiety within our community.

We understand the Town Council’s vital role in advocating for the well-being of Smiths Falls residents. We implore you to investigate these serious allegations and work with the hospital administration to implement comprehensive and effective solutions. We believe that a thorough review of the hospital's practices, coupled with community input, is crucial to restoring public confidence and ensuring that all residents receive the quality, compassionate, and equitable healthcare they are entitled to.

We, the undersigned, urge the Smiths Falls Town Council to take swift and decisive action to address these critical concerns.