Health Sciences North says no nurses will lose their jobs due to budget cuts
Cuts will instead take form of attrition, reduction in hours and not filling existing vacancies
Health Sciences North confirmed Wednesday that no nurses will lose their jobs, amid backlash from health groups and the public to the hospital's expected cuts.
It plans to save money, instead, by not filling existing vacancies, attrition and reductions in scheduled hours, according to a statement.
"None of the efficiency measures are expected to result in nurses being [laid off] at the hospital," the statement reads.
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Health Sciences North said it anticipates "that no nurses will have to leave the system." It said there are 44 vacancies for registered nurses and registered practical nurses "which would accommodate any nursing impact."
Previously, the Ontario Nurses' Association said 39 full-time and five part-time nursing positions will be lost.
The hospital on Wednesday said all departments have been asked to find efficiencies in order to maintain patient care while achieving a balanced budget. The hospital said it had to cut $5.1 million dollars from its budget this year.
"A balanced budget is required by legislation, even though hospital budgets have been frozen," according to the release.
Cuts due to funding formula change
Health Sciences North will also be losing patient beds in the psychiatry, critical care and surgical units.
Joe Pilon, the chief operating officer at Health Sciences North, said he thinks the hospital is "doing the right thing."
These people who decide that they're going to make cuts to the funding for health care, who the hell do they think they are?- Chris Cosby, former Health Sciences North patient
"I think it's better patient care that if we reduce the demand for in patient care and look for ways to make sure that when we discharge our patients, they're doing well in the community. It is better care for the patient and it will result in better outcomes," he said.
Hospitals across the northeast region of the province have been making cuts to meet their budget this spring.
The Northeast Local Health Integration Network — the agency that manages healthcare funding for the region — said the reductions are due to a change in the funding formula from three years ago.
Hospitals have to find a way to lower costs, which may mean providing health care in the community instead, according the LHIN's Cynthia Stables.
"It requires them to look at how to provide effective and efficient services, how to look for partnerships with others in the community in order to maximize the efficiency of their operations," said Stables, the agency's director of community engagement.
Health group urges public pushback
Meanwhile, the Sudbury Health Coalition has been urging the public to fight the expected cuts at Health Sciences North.
Former patient Chris Cosby was among the many who shared their thoughts and personal experiences at the hospital. She said she recently had emergency surgery for pneumonia — on the same day she had a test for it. She said she fears the quality of care that she received is on the line.
"These people who decide that they're going to make cuts to the funding for health care, who the hell do they think they are?" she said at the meeting.
In attendance was Tracy Labelle-Robichaud, who spoke out to put a face to the cuts. She said she's being displaced from her position as a registered practical nurse at the hospital.
"I should not, on maternity, have to worry about my position and where I'm going to end up when I go back," she said.
Upon her return, she said her patient case load is expected to double.
"I don't feel like it's safe for my own license or safe for the patients themselves," said Labelle-Robichaud.