68% OF KINGSTON RESIDENTS OPPOSE AMALGAMATION AND CLOSURE OF HOTEL DIEU

68% OF KINGSTON RESIDENTS OPPOSE AMALGAMATION AND CLOSURE OF HOTEL DIEU

69% OPPOSE RELOCATION OF HOTEL DIEU SERVICES

RESIDENTS ANTICIPATE NEGATIVE IMPACT ON THE ECONOMY AS WELL AS ACCESS TO AND QUALITY OF HEALTH SERVICES AS A RESULT OF CLOSING HOTEL DIEU

The Sisters of Hotel Dieu Hospital in Kingston commissioned the Angus Reid Group to undertake research into public opinion surrounding the planned closure of Hotel Dieu Hospital. Telephone interviews were conducted with 500 residents of Kingston and the surrounding counties. Specifically, 300 residents of the City of Kingston were interviewed, as well as 200 residents in total from the former Frontenac County, Lennox and Addington County, and Leeds and Grenville County. The overall sample has been weighted to reflect the actual distribution of the population across Kingston and the surrounding counties. When discussing the region as a whole, these results are accurate to within 4.9%, 19 times out of 20. All data were collected between April 26 and May 2, 1999.

In a poll, commissioned by the Sisters of Hotel Dieu Hospital in Kingston and released today, the findings indicate that two thirds (68%) of Kingston residents are opposed to the Health Services Restructuring Commission's (HSRC) direction to close Hotel Dieu Hospital by April of the year 2000. Furthermore, seven in ten (69%) oppose the HSRC's direction that once Hotel Dieu Hospital is closed, it's services be relocated to a new hospital to be built on the site of the Kingston Psychiatric hospital 3 kilometres west of Hotel Dieu's current downtown location.

These are just some of the findings of an Angus Reid Group poll conducted on behalf of the Sisters of Hotel Dieu Hospital in Kingston. A total of 500 telephone interviews with adult residents of Kingston were carried out in January 1999. A survey sample of 500 is said to have an associated margin of error of 1774.9 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

Seven in Ten (70%) Aware of HSRC's Directions to Take Over and Close Hotel Dieu

Seven in ten (70%) residents of Kingston were aware of the direction that Hotel Dieu be taken over by Kingston General Hospital and that Hotel Dieu be closed by April of 2000. Awareness is particularly high among residents of the City of Kingston (82%), those who have been cared for at Hotel Dieu (78%), and respondents aged 55 and older (78%). At 55 percent, respondents aged 18 to 34 are least likely to have heard about the HSRC's decision.

68% Oppose HSRC Direction to Close Hotel Dieu

Two-thirds of respondents (68%) say they oppose the HSRC's plan to have Hotel Dieu taken over by Kingston General Hospital and to close Hotel Dieu by April 2000 - including 52% who strongly oppose the idea. One-quarter of respondents support the takeover and closure, although they are evenly divided between those who somewhat support (13%) and strongly support (11%). Seven percent of respondents cannot offer an opinion on this issue.

• Opposition to the amalgamation and closure of Hotel Dieu is highest among the least affluent (77% of those with a household income of less than $30K), and those who have either been cared for at Hotel Dieu (73%) or who have made a donation to the hospital within the last 3 years (72%).
• While still not a majority, support for the takeover and subsequent closure of Hotel Dieu is highest among those whose household income is at least $60K (33%).

Seven in Ten (69%) Oppose HSRC's Decision to Relocate Hotel Dieu Services to New Hospital

Seven in ten (69%) oppose the HSRC's decision to relocate Hotel Dieu's services (upon closure) to a new hospital to be built on the site of the Kingston Psychiatric hospital 3 kilometres west of Hotel Dieu's current downtown location. In fact, a full majority (56%) strongly oppose this decision.

• Overall opposition to the relocation of services is highest among the least affluent (74%), respondents aged 35 to 54 (74%), and those who have either been cared for at Hotel Dieu (74%) or who have made a donation to the hospital within the last 3 years (74%).
• While still not a majority, support for the relocation of services is highest among the most affluent (33%).

Concern Highest Over Effects on the Economy in Downtown Kingston and Access to Emergency Care

Two thirds (64%) anticipate a negative impact on the economy in downtown Kingston should the Commission's directions regarding Hotel Dieu take effect (29% somewhat negative, 34% very negative). This sentiment is strongest among those who have been cared for at Hotel Dieu (70%) and the most affluent (71%).

A majority (56%) expect the Commission's directions will have a negative impact on access to emergency care (21% somewhat negative, 35% very negative). Concern over access to emergency care is highest among the least affluent (64%), and those aged 18 to 34 or 35 to 54 (60% in each age group).

The impact on health services for people with low incomes is also a concern to a majority of Kingston residents with 55 percent anticipating a negative impact (21% somewhat negative, 34% very negative). This concern is expressed most strongly by the least affluent (63%), and those who have been cared for at Hotel Dieu (60%).

A similar proportion (54%) anticipate a negative impact on the social fabric and well-being of their community (25% somewhat negative, 29% very negative). This sentiment is strongest among those aged 35 to 54 (60%), and the least affluent (61%).

One half of residents (52%) expect the HSRC directions to have a negative impact on local donations to hospitals (27% somewhat negative, 24% very negative). Most likely to anticipate a negative impact on donations to hospitals are those aged 35 to 54 (58%) and the most affluent (61%).

The same proportion (52%) anticipate a negative impact on the ability of people to receive spiritual care and support when they or their loved ones are ill (23% somewhat negative, 29% very negative). This concern is expressed most strongly by those aged 35 to 54 (57%) and the least affluent (58%).

One in two (50%) are concerned over the impact of the traffic flow and parking in the area around the Kingston Psychiatric hospital (26% anticipate a somewhat negative impact, 24% very negative). Traffic flow is of greatest concern to the least affluent (58%).

Slightly fewer (48%) expect the HSRC's directions to negatively impact the quality of health care they and their families receive (20% somewhat negative, 28% very negative). Concern over impact on quality of health care is highest among those aged 35 to 54 (54%) and the least affluent (59%).

A negative impact on property taxes is expected by more than four in ten (44% -- 24% somewhat negative, 20% very negative). Impact on property taxes are of particular concern to those aged 35 to 54 (48%) and the least affluent (48%).

For further information, please contact:

John Wright
Senior Vice-President
Angus Reid Group
(416) 324-2900