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SYDNEY – Today’s government announcement that two acute care hospitals will close and be replaced by community health centres in Cape Breton has caused much concern for residents and Unifor members in Nova Scotia.
“While Unifor welcomes any changes that would improve health services in Cape Breton, we are cautious with this announcement as the history of health care reform by this liberal government hasn’t been exactly positive,” said Unifor Atlantic Regional Director Lana Payne.
There is still much unknown about how the government’s plan will affect health services for Cape Bretoners and how the proposed plan will impact Unifor members who work in the two hospitals.
Unifor represents the majority of workers at the New Waterford and North Sydney hospitals which are slated to close.
The union has written a detailed letter to both Premier Stephen McNeil and Health Minister Randy Delorey seeking clarification and more details on what the plan will mean.
Unifor encouraged Cape Bretoners who have questions to be in touch with their locals MLAs.
While Unifor welcomes the creation of 48 additional long-term care beds, Payne said what continually is missed by the McNeil government is the chronic underfunding faced by nursing homes throughout Nova Scotia. This underfunding has negatively impacted the care seniors deserve and has resulted in deteriorating working conditions for long-term-care providers, who also are among the lowest paid in the country.
“We are hopeful that we can get our concerns addressed and questions answered as soon as possible,” said Susan Gill, Unifor National Representative.