Paramedics from across Ontario stand with colleagues in Chatham-Kent over concerns about proposed changes to area’s emergency response system

Health Care

TORONTO, CHATHAM-KENT, ON – Maintaining long-term, top quality emergency medical response for the residents of Chatham-Kent must be the top priority for the Mayor and council, said Jeff Van Pelt, from the Ontario Paramedics Working Group, at an info picket today outside the Chatham-Kent Municipal Building. Organized by local paramedics, represented by the Service Employees…

REVISED: Overwhelming opposition to making Cassellholme privately-run; poll finds

Health Care, Home Care

NORTH BAY, ON — Residents in North Bay and east Nipissing firmly support their taxes going toward resident care at Cassellholme. But there is overwhelming opposition to divesting Cassellholme into a privately-run nursing home, according to an area-wide poll released today. Cassellholme is the only public, municipal home for nine east Nipissing municipalities. Behind the…

Compassionate, skilled Civic hospital staffer wins award Presentation today May 19, Personal Support Worker Day

Health Care

Toronto, Ont. ─ Brampton Civic Hospital personal support worker Carolynne Haynes has been awarded Personal Support Worker of the Year by the Ontario Council of Hospital Unions (OCHU)/CUPE. A ceremony to present Carolynne with her award is scheduled for Personal Support Worker Day, Thursday, May 19 (2016) at 2 p.m. the Brampton Civic Hospital, North…

Greater diversification of nursing team, not less, will lead to better patient outcomes

Health Care

TORONTO, Ont. — Fewer deaths, increased patient satisfaction, fewer falls, fewer bed sores, shorter lengths of stay are all documented benefits of a diversified nursing team observed in recent studies. “Ignoring this research on positive patient outcomes, to promote a single occupation as was recently done by Registered Nurses Association of Ontario (RNAO) offends the…

Not too late for Pembroke hospital to get out of risky deal with contractor

Health Care

PEMBROKE, Ont. — Hidden costs, increasing compensation, legal disputes are “the norm when contracted services go awry,” said Ontario Council of Hospital Unions (OCHU) president Michael Hurley at a Pembroke media conference today that outlined the risky business of outsourcing. The Pembroke Regional Hospital has contracted-out the sterilization of surgical equipment to a Greater Toronto…

$100 million cut at Ottawa Hospital alone since 2012, but Liberals bring all Ottawa hospitals just $19 million. Another cut, masquerading as an increase — union charges

Health Care

OTTAWA, ON — The announcement Friday of $19 million in funding for Ottawa hospitals actually represents a 3 per cent cut in their real funding needs and it follows over $100 million in cuts at these hospitals since 2012 – a union representing staff at the hospitals said today. “Beds, services and staff have all…