Media Advisory - Ontario Nurses' Association Members to Meet in Windsor:
Discuss Nursing Cuts and More

WINDSOR, ON, June 14 /CNW/ - Nursing leaders from the Ontario Nurses' Association (ONA) will gather in Windsor this week to discuss nursing cuts and patient care issues. Natalie Mehra, Ontario Health Coalition Director, will also bring remarks.

The registered nurses from across Ontario will be at the Caesar's Windsor Hotel from June 15 to 17.

More than 150 RNs and allied health professionals will also discuss issues that impact on their ability to provide quality patent care and how they can have an impact on policy decisions that continue to influence the level of care patients receive in all sectors of health care.

"This is a pivotal time for RNs in Ontario," notes ONA President Linda Haslam-Stroud, RN. "We have seen more than 2,000 registered nursing positions cut out of the system in the past year, leaving communities in every corner of the province receiving a total of four million hours less RN care. It is imperative that the government, the LHINs and employers commit to a moratorium on further RN cuts. Our patients deserve better."

While the meeting is not open to the media, the ONA President will be available for interviews while in Windsor.

ONA is the union representing 55,000 registered nurses and allied health professionals, as well as more than 12,000 nursing student affiliates providing care in hospitals, long-term care facilities, public health, the community, clinics and industry.

WHAT:	Registered Nurses Gather in Windsor for Three-Day Meeting
WHEN:	June 15 to 17, 2010
WHERE:	Caesars Windsor Hotel, 377 Riverside Drive East, Windsor, ON

For further information:

Ontario Nurses' Association

Sheree Bond   [phone], ext. 2430;  cell: [phone]

Ruth Featherstone  [phone], ext. 2267