The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) says job cuts are not what’s needed at the North Bay Regional Health Centre (NBRHC).
This after the hospital announced a few measures last week, including a reduction of staff, to achieve $5.6 million in budget savings.
Michael Hurley, president of the Ontario Council of Hospital Unions says more funding and additional staffing are the solution.
He says they previously stated the health centre needs 120 additional staff to be able to properly care for the needs of the population.
“The idea that you can get rid of 40 staff here without an impact on patient care is double speak really. It’s just not true,” says Hurley. “They are talking about creating 14 positions but there’s a net loss.”
He says the announced measures from the hospital are a ‘serious step backwards’ and will mean longer waits in the Emergency Department, which is being particularly hard hit.
He also warns of further cuts.
“We’re only seeing the beginning here because the hospital has been told it will only be funded at about 40% of the increase in its operating costs,” says Hurley. “You’re going to see these cuts continue over the course of the year and the next year.”
Hurley says the province and the hospital need to find a way to not only save these jobs but to add the staffing and capacity required to meet patient needs and reduce wait-times.
Other measures announced last week include an increase in parking and changes to how some services will be accessed.
