Almonte hospital sees large spike in costly patient readmission rates as Liberal cuts deepen

ALMONTE, ON – A media conference is planned for Friday, October 23, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. in Almonte to release Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) data (from 2009-2014) that shows patient readmissions at Almonte General Hospital are spiking. “This increase in readmission rates,” says Linda Melbrew, president of Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE)…

Pembroke Regional Hospital has not done due diligence in contracting sterilization of surgical instruments

If at least one Toronto hospital is trying to get out of its contract with the company that sterilizes its surgical instruments over quality issues, has Pembroke Regional Hospital really done its due diligence in entering into a similar contract? CUPE asked today. “Unfortunately, the experience with this company is concerning, with blood and bone…

North Bay residents have two opportunities this Thursday, to join the hospital community telephone town halls at 6:30 p.m. and 7:15 p.m.

NORTH BAY, ON – Dialing-in North Bay residents to a city-wide teleconference town hall on October 22, aimed at mounting a community campaign against drastic bed, service and care cuts at the regional hospital, will happen over two calls this Thursday night, the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), said today. “We want to reach…

Poll finds 86% think local patient food is best; only 3% agree with HHS that factory made food is better

HAMILTON, ON – Over the last few weeks Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) has publicly defended shutting down the hospital kitchens and contracting out patient meals to a global food processing operation outside of Hamilton. But the findings of a recent poll, show there is virtually no support in the Hamilton community for the hospital’s patient…

Local hospital food campaign picks up steam

Media conference Monday, 11 a.m., Gage Park community garden HAMILTON, Ont. – Since late last month, when Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) dietary staff made it public that the hospital intends to shut down its kitchens and outsource patient meals to a factory-food operation that plates microwavable portions, the community campaign to keep hospital food local…