A hospital in London, Ontario is removing more than 100 nursing positions from its mental-health programs. St. Joseph's Health Care London said it will eliminate 83 full-time and 31 part-time registered nurse roles at Parkwood Institute, covering inpatient, regional outpatient and outreach services, following a model-of-care review.
The hospital says it is adding close to the same number of positions in other roles — registered practical nurses, personal support workers, occupational therapists, physiotherapy assistants, social workers and therapeutic recreation assistants — and describes the change as a realignment rather than a reduction in care. Based on vacancies and transfers, it expects 60 full-time and 25 part-time jobs to be directly affected.
St. Joseph's recorded the first deficit in its history last year, at $4.7 million, and is planning a further operating deficit this year with a target to balance its books within three years. Health Minister Sylvia Jones has directed hospitals running deficits across the province to set three-year balance plans.
The province says hospital funding rose four per cent this year, for a fourth consecutive annual increase, and that patient access will not be affected. Ontario Nurses' Association president Erin Ariss condemned the registered-nurse cuts as a patient-safety risk. The move follows an announcement last month that Hamilton Health Sciences would eliminate more than 400 jobs, and a three per cent workforce cut at The Ottawa Hospital.
