Napanee Mayor Urges Southeast Public Health to Reconsider Office Closures

The announcement of the closure of several public health offices by Southeast Public Health has generated considerable concern in the Greater Napanee area. Mayor Terry Richardson expressed his “disappointment and frustration” after learning that eight local offices, including the one in Napanee, are set to close by March 1, 2026. The news was delivered without prior warning in a press release issued on November 21.

The affected offices include those located in Trenton, Almonte, Gananoque, Napanee, Perth, and Picton. In response, the Southeast Public Health Board has passed a motion seeking clarification regarding the closures and requesting that the Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Piotr Oglaza, reconsider the decision. Dr. Oglaza cited “financial constraints” as the primary reason for the closures, asserting that service levels would remain unaffected. However, Mayor Richardson challenges this claim, stating, “I can’t see how services won’t be affected by these closures.”

Community Impact and Investment in Health Care

The Town of Greater Napanee has recently invested significantly in a new healthcare model known as Health Homes. Mayor Richardson emphasized that this investment was aimed at ensuring all residents have access to primary health care. “This closure flies in the face of that,” he commented, highlighting the potential negative impact on local health services.

While the Napanee office is one of eight slated for closure, it serves many residents from surrounding more remote communities. “The repercussions could be far worse for our neighbours to the north,” Richardson noted, mentioning that individuals from areas such as Stone Mills and Addington Highlands depend on the services provided at the Napanee office. “I’m not sure what they’ll do,” he added.

During the Southeast Public Health Board meeting on November 23, members unanimously passed a motion urging Dr. Oglaza to reconsider the operational decision. The motion also requests a report at the next board meeting on December 17, detailing the criteria used to reach this decision.

Access to Essential Services at Stake

For families in the area, the closure of the public health office could mean having to travel at least 50 km to access essential services in either Belleville or Kingston. Mayor Richardson pointed out the challenges faced by the aging population in Greater Napanee, who rely heavily on the services offered by the public health office. “We are an aging community,” he stated. “Lots of folks here need a lot of these services offered at the public health office. It is a frustrating situation.”

As the situation evolves, Mayor Richardson has indicated that he will reach out to Southeast Public Health to express the community’s dissatisfaction with the proposed closures. He emphasized the need for growth in services, stating, “There will be all sorts of growth here in Napanee over the next few years. We should be looking at how to provide greater service, not less service.”

The future of the public health office in Napanee remains uncertain as the community awaits further updates from Southeast Public Health. As discussions continue, the focus remains on ensuring that residents have access to the essential health services they need.