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Leaves residents without access to publicly-funded outpatient rehab services.
Cobourg (8 March 2010) - The Northumberland Hills Hospital (NHH) is making deep cuts to patient services, leaving the county with fewer beds, no publicly-funded outpatient rehab services and the closure of the diabetes education and outreach program, says the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/NUPGE).
OPSEU estimates that more than the equivalent of 45 full-time jobs will be lost at the hospital as it cuts 16 alternate level of care beds, closes its entire 18-bed complex care and interim long term care wing and ends its outpatient rehab and diabetes programs. About five of these lost full-time equivalent jobs will belong to professionals represented by OPSEU.
“While the McGuinty government has been bailing out struggling hospitals across the province, it appears to be throwing in the towel at Northumberland Hills Hospital,” says Warren (Smokey) Thomas, president of OPSEU. “This is going to have a major impact on the ability of the hospital to serve the local community.”
Even with the cuts, the hospital will not entirely eliminate its $1.8 million deficit. It plans to finish balancing its budget in the next fiscal year, 2011-12.
With the closure of outpatient rehab services, few places remain where patients can receive publicly-funded care from a physiotherapist or occupational therapist. Most area residents will now have to travel to Oshawa or Peterborough for rehab care.
The announcement comes on the same day the province revealed it will require hospitals compete economically for the right to perform surgeries and other treatments, a process similar to competitive bidding in home care. A government spokesperson admitted to the media that the changes may not be welcome by general hospitals or those serving rural communities.
“Our members are shaken by these cuts,” says Kim Zoldy, chief steward of OPSEU Local 344. “They are now faced with major decisions about their future in this community.”
The cuts are not the first for the NHH. The institution was originally designed for 137 beds but presently has only 110 beds in operation. After the changes, it will be down to 84 beds.
“The Mayor of Shelburne recently reflected on the fact that cuts each year at his community hospital eventually led to its closure,” says Thomas. “Every small and rural community has got to be thinking the same thing this week.”
Residents will have the opportunity to express their views at an upcoming forum next Wednesday from 3 to 6:30 pm at the Lion’s Club. The Ontario Health Coalition is touring the province seeking input on the future of rural and northern hospital care.
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The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE