Queens Gardens Long-Term Care Cutting RN Hours 30.4 Per Cent: Ontario Nurses' Association says cuts not allowed, will devastate resident care
HAMILTON, ON, May 4, 2012 /CNW/ - The Queens Gardens long-term care residence is gutting its complement of registered nurses (RNs), risking the health and safety of its elderly, vulnerable residents.
"Queens Gardens has told ONA it is laying off and reducing its RN hours by more than 30 per cent," said ONA President Linda Haslam-Stroud, RN, "something that is not allowed under its own accountability agreement with the Local Health Integration Network (LHIN). Not only do these cuts seriously endanger resident health and safety, they mean the facility is failing to meet their obligations to the LHIN."
Chartwell REITT, which manages Queens Gardens, says it has 3.59 per cent less funding from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. Language in the home's collective agreement with ONA allows it to reduce staff by a proportionate amount - but certainly not by 25.8 per cent more.
"Based on the information that Chartwell has provided to ONA, these cuts are simply not allowed," notes Haslam-Stroud. "With residents of our long-term care homes suffering from more complex, multiple conditions, the skills, experience and knowledge that RNs bring to long-term care is vital for these elderly and vulnerable people."
ONA will be seeking more disclosure from Chartwell and grieving the layoff notices, and will expect the LHIN to respond to these cuts.
"The layoffs are a brazen move to save money at a time when Chartwell is purchasing dozens of new long-term care facilities and staffing them up with administrative positions," believes Haslam-Stroud. "ONA will be advocating for our residents to ensure they receive the nursing care they need and deserve."
ONA is the union representing 59,000 front-line RNs and allied health professionals and more than 13,000 nursing student affiliates providing care in Ontario hospitals, long-term care facilities, public health, the community, industry and clinics.
For more information: Ontario Nurses' Association
Sheree Bond (416) 964-8833, ext. 2430; cell: (416) 986-8240
[email protected]
Melanie Levenson (416) 964-8833, ext. 2369
[email protected]
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