Media Conference Wednesday to announce community campaign against cuts to Temiskaming Hospital

NEW LISKEARD, ON, Oct. 14, 2014 /CNW/ - There will be a media conference on Wednesday October 15, at 4:00 p.m. at the Temiskaming Shores Public Library branch, to announce a campaign to oppose plans to cut staff and services, at Temiskaming Hospital.

Downsizing hospitals, cutting beds and shedding services has been the basis for the provincial Liberal government's health care delivery changes. Small rural hospitals are particularly threatened under this plan. Temiskaming Hospital is in the third year of a 5-year funding freeze and cannot maintain services and staff without additional support from the province.

Ontario's hospitals are the most efficient in Canada- with the fewest beds and staff to population and the lowest costs and lowest lengths of stay of any province in the country.

At the media conference will be:
Arlene Hearn, President of CUPE local 904
Tisha LaCarte, President of CUPE local 4404
Michael Hurley, president of the Ontario Council of Hospital Unions/CUPE

They will announce plans for a rally on October 20 at the hospital, a postcard campaign and a community meeting, and advertising.

The media conference will be held at the Temiskaming Shores Public Library, New Liskeard Branch, 50 Whitewood Ave., New Liskeard, at 4:00 p.m.

SOURCE: Ontario Council of Hospital Unions (CUPE)

Arlene Hearn, President, CUPE local 904, 705-647-8501; Michael Hurley, President, Ontario Council of Hospital Unions/CUPE (OCHU), 416-884-0770